How Much Does Construction Cleanup Cost?

Post-Construction Cleaning Prices

Post-construction cleaning prices for a new residential home cost anywhere from $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. This specialized deep cleaning comes after the general contractor has removed debris and done a general cleaning during the construction phase. A general contractor usually does most of the overall cleanup. 

The final step is cleaning out the remaining dust and dirt in cracks, on surfaces, and on windows. It’s the final step before moving into your remodel or addition. This also happens in new construction, but following several other cleaning steps discussed below.

Construction Cleaning Services Prices

Post-Construction Cleaning Price per Square Foot

Post-construction cleanup costs $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. That means the average 2,500-square-foot house costs $250 to $1,250 total. You might pay more if you add other services like window cleaning, debris removal, or landscaping.

Post-Construction Cleaning Price per Hour

Construction cleaning rates average $30 to $50 per hour. For the typical cleanup job, anticipate about 1 hour for every 100 to 200 feet. At the $30 hourly rate for a 2,500-square-foot house, construction cleanup pricing could range from $375 to $750. If your cleanup crew charges $50 an hour for the same house size, costs nearly double to $625 to $1,250.

Post-Construction Window Cleaning Prices

Cleaning windows—interior and exterior—costs anywhere from $4 to $11 per windowpane, with the average dual-pane window costing $10 to clean. This add-on service has large price ranges because of both window size and accessibility. Expect to pay double for any exterior work done above the first floor.

New Construction Cleaning Prices

New construction cleaning prices run anywhere from $0.10 to $1.25 per square foot. You'll need to know about this phased work if you’re acting as your own general contractor. Most of this work gets done by your general contractor during the house build. 

However, they subcontract out the work to specialized companies. The price of this cleaning gets rolled into the price of the home. So, most homeowners won’t need to worry about cleanup on new construction.

Rough Interior Construction Cleanup Costs

Rough interior cleaning costs $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot. This generally happens during construction prior to adding the final element, such as floors. This type of construction site cleaning job generally includes all the following:

• Sweeping and prepping floor underlayment for carpet, tile, etc.

• Washing all interior windows

• Dusting surfaces

• Removing debris

Interior Construction Final Cleaning Cost

A final interior scrubbing costs anywhere from $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot. A good final interior cleanup always includes a few key cleaning jobs, including:

• Walls, including removing dust, dirt, scuff marks, and smudges

• Ceilings and light fixtures/fans

• All trim, including all baseboards and door and window frames

• The faces, sides, and tops of doors

• Floors, including buffing/waxing if applicable or vacuuming carpet

• Ducts, vents, and baseboard heating exchanges

• Windows, including tracks and frames

• Removing all trash, plastic coverings, and stickers

Touch-Up Cleaning Costs

The cost of touch-up cleaning post-construction averages about $0.20 per square foot but can range from $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot. A touch-up isn’t always necessary, but often, companies recommend this service after the dust has literally settled. Think of it as one last sweep through the home before you move back into the site.

A thorough touch-up cleaning may include:

• Floors

• Vents

• Window sills

• Countertops

Exterior Construction Cleanup Pricing

Exterior cleaning and junk removal costs range from $100 to $800. Your general contractor usually takes care of most of this. If the job falls to you, you’ll want to hire a local junk and waste removal service for the large debris and a local cleaning service for the smaller jobs. This project stage includes:

• Removing all trash from the property, including lumber and debris

• Washing exterior windows and doors

• Sweeping and dusting any entry doorways

• Sweeping and/or power washing the driveway and any other paved surfaces

New Construction House Cleaning Prices

Often, you’ll want to have other ongoing services. You might also find that a housekeeping company does move-in cleaning, which might cover post-construction work. Some services you’ll want to investigate include:

• House cleaning services cost $50–$90 per hour.

• Deep cleaning a house costs $200–$400.

• Commercial cleaning rates run $150–$300.

• Hiring a maid costs $125–$250 per visit.

Post-Construction Cleanup Pricing Cost Factors

Many factors contribute to the final cost of any post-construction cleanup job, including:

• Size of the home or project. Larger projects command a higher overall price, but usually at a lower per-square-foot rate.

• Supplies and equipment needed (for DIY solutions). If you’re tackling this yourself, you’ll need to supply all the cleaning tools and equipment for dumping. Otherwise, pros provide all of this as part of the price. Renting a dumpster costs$380 on average.

• Overall condition and accessibility of the property. Expect a hard-to-access 10th-floor apartment to run you quite a bit more than an easily accessed home.

• Local competition. If you live in an area where there are several construction cleanup contractors available, you are likely to pay closer to the low end.

Construction Cleanup Pricing Near You

Where you live can also impact overall construction cleanup pricing. The table below compares construction cleaning rates in various cities in the U.S.

DIY or Hire a Construction Cleaning Service?

Unlike many construction jobs, this makes an excellent DIY project if you have the time and tools. You’ll want to remove all dust and grim since it can be a health hazard. If you’re not sure about your ability to get it all, you can find a local construction cleaner.

Steps to Cleaning a Construction Site

Whether you are cleaning a construction site yourself or hiring a construction cleanup company, these are the basic steps to clean up a construction site:

1. Remove debris. Before you can start cleaning, you need to remove any debris that accumulated during construction. If going the DIY route, you may need to rent a dumpster, depending on the size of the project.

2. Remove spots, stains, and stickers. Look for any paint, caulk, grout, or other stains that may have occurred during construction. You can also remove any stickers that were left on any appliances or windows; have an adhesive remover on hand in case any sticky residue remains.

3. Deep clean the site. Take a deep breath: This is the big, time-consuming step. Depending on the scope of the construction, you may need to wipe down cabinets, countertops, windows, doors, and baseboards.

4. Clean the floors. Because dust will continue to fly as you clean surfaces and walls, it will likely settle on the floor. Plus, your shoes will continue to track in dirt while cleaning higher-to-reach spots. Save the floors for last. Vacuum and shampoo carpets and mop any harder-surface flooring.

5. Do a final touch-up cleaning. Before moving in or repopulating a space previously under construction, do one final touch-up, perhaps after a much-needed break.

FAQs

How long does it take to clean a new construction house?

It’ll take about 1 hour for every 100 to 200 square feet of space to clean a new construction home. Typically, crews range from 2 to 4 people and clear out a residential home in 1 to 2 days.

How do you clean up construction dust?

To clean up construction dust, follow these steps:

1. Sweep up all large dust using a standard broom.

2. Use a soft, damp towel to wipe down all surfaces, including walls.

3. Vacuum with a shop vac with a certified HEPA filter for floors, cracks, and anywhere you see dust. Always use a respirator, eye protection, and gloves.

4. Wet mop any floors you can. Vacuum carpets or shampoo them.

5. Use air filters to catch what’s left over.

How much does post-construction cleaning cost?

Post-construction cleaning costs anywhere from $275 to $694 for a residential home. The average project costs $470. You can calculate your own cleanup costs at roughly $.10 to $0.50 per square foot or $30 to $50 per hour in labor costs.