Post construction cleaning
Construction dust is not ordinary dust — it is gypsum, silica, and sawdust fine enough to stay airborne for hours and resettle on everything you just wiped. This is the phased process we run for Central Texas builders, remodelers, and commercial tenant improvements: what each phase covers, what actually drives the price, and how to schedule it so you hand over once.
The three phases
Trying to compress all three into one visit is the single most common reason a handover gets rejected on cleanliness.
Runs after framing, drywall, and mechanical work but before finishes. Loose debris, packaging, offcuts, and drywall mud are cleared, and floors are swept and shop-vacuumed so trades can work safely. This phase is about access and safety, not appearance.
After finishes are installed. Top-down HEPA dust removal from ceilings, vents, ledges, and walls; sticker, adhesive, and film removal from glass and appliances; cabinet interiors and exteriors; fixtures polished; floors vacuumed then wet-cleaned to the manufacturer's finish spec.
Scheduled after the punch list is worked and immediately before walkthrough, handover, or photography. Fingerprints, new dust fall, and any damage-repair residue are removed so the space is presented, not just cleaned.
The fine-dust protocol
- Work strictly top-down. Cleaning floors before ceilings and ledges guarantees a second visit.
- HEPA vacuums only — a standard shop vac exhausts the finest drywall dust straight back into the air.
- Change filters and bags on site. A loaded HEPA filter stops capturing and starts redistributing.
- Wipe HVAC registers and replace construction filters before the system runs, or the ductwork keeps reseeding dust for weeks.
- Allow settle time between the dust pass and the detail pass — airborne fines need roughly an hour to drop.
- Damp-wipe walls and trim rather than dry-dusting; dry cloths push fines into paint texture.
What drives the price
| Cost driver | Effect on the quote |
|---|---|
| Square footage and ceiling height | The base of every quote. High ceilings add lift equipment and slow the dust pass considerably. |
| Number of phases | Rough + final + touch-up costs more than a single final clean, but usually less than redoing a final clean that dust ruined. |
| Glass and window count | Film, stucco splatter, and adhesive removal on glass is detail labor and is priced per opening. |
| Finish sensitivity | Natural stone, unsealed grout, engineered wood, and matte-finish fixtures require specific chemistry and slower methods. |
| Trade overlap and access | Working around active trades, after hours, or through a controlled site entry adds crew time. |
| Debris volume | Light debris is included. Dumpster hauling and heavy material removal are quoted separately. |
Post-construction work is quoted per project rather than from a published rate card, because two builds of identical square footage can differ by days of labor depending on glass count and finish sensitivity.
Scheduling around handover
- Book as soon as your finish date is set — final cleans stack up at month-end and the good windows go first.
- Give the crew the punch list. Knowing what still gets touched prevents cleaning the same room three times.
- Confirm power, water, and lighting are live before the final clean; a dark unit cannot be inspected honestly.
- Schedule the touch-up pass within 24–48 hours of walkthrough, not a week ahead.
- Lock out the space after the final pass. Every trade that walks back through undoes part of the clean.
Most builds pair the final clean with window cleaning and carpet or hard-floor care so the space is handed over complete under one vendor.
Post construction cleaning questions
What is the difference between a rough clean and a final clean?
A rough clean happens mid-build and clears debris so trades can work safely — it is a labor and safety service. A final clean happens after finishes are installed and is a detail service: HEPA dust removal top-down, adhesive and film removal, cabinet interiors, fixtures, and floors cleaned to the finish manufacturer's spec.
How much does post construction cleaning cost?
It is quoted per project, not per hour. The main drivers are square footage, ceiling height, how many phases you need, glass and window count, finish sensitivity, and whether we work around active trades. Send the square footage, finish schedule, and your target handover date and we will scope all three phases in one quote.
How long does a post construction clean take?
Most projects run one to three days with a crew of three to five. A single-unit tenant improvement can finish in a day; a multi-level build or a house with heavy stone and glass takes longer, and the touch-up pass is scheduled separately just before walkthrough.
Can you clean while trades are still on site?
Yes. We phase around your schedule and clean completed zones first. Be aware that any area reopened to trades will need a touch-up pass, which is why we recommend scheduling that pass rather than skipping it.
Do you remove paint, adhesive, and stickers from glass?
Yes, from glass and hard surfaces using scrapers and solvents matched to the substrate. We spot test first — the wrong solvent on a coated or tempered pane causes damage that no amount of cleaning fixes.
Do you haul construction debris?
Light debris and packaging are included in the rough clean. Dumpster hauling and heavy material removal are quoted separately so you only pay for what your site actually needs.
Why does dust keep coming back after the clean?
Almost always one of three things: the HVAC ran on a construction filter and reseeded the ductwork, the clean was done bottom-up so ledge dust fell onto finished floors, or trades reentered afterward. A phased approach with filter replacement and a locked-out final pass solves it.
Building in Georgetown, Round Rock, or Temple? See all service areas.
Hand over a dust-free build
Send us your square footage, finish schedule, and target walkthrough date — we'll scope the rough, final, and touch-up phases in one quote.
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