New construction or home renovation can mark the beginning of a new phase of your life. But, as much as you’d be excited, there will be times when you will be pushed down to the last nerve.

The construction itself is a long and hefty process. That, followed by cleaning, is an added stressor. However, there’s no denying that you need a clean place to live.

A dusty and dirty site obscures the finesse of the quality of renovation/construction work done at a place. This dirt, drywall, and dust is a health hazard too. Also, it can affect the working of several machines, equipment, and appliances; that’s why you need a solid plan to complete post construction cleaning scope of work.

What is Post Construction Cleaning?

Most people assume that post construction cleaning scope of work is similar to deep cleaning or regular cleaning of a construction site. However, contrary to the thought, post construction cleaning is much more thorough.

It’s not a job for your ordinary cleaners and requires much heavier machinery and expertise to clean the site without damaging the equipment or property. This is because there’s so much to be dealt with, like screws, nails, plasterboards, cement residue, paint droppings, builder dust, etc.

We usually use vacuum cleaners or hoovers to suck away the dust in our homes, but if you try that with builder/brick dust, you can say goodbye to your vacuum cleaner for good.

Post Construction Cleaning Scope of Work: DIY or a Professional Job?

Initially, it may seem like a regular cleaning where you toss away unwanted objects, clean, sweep and mop the floors, and do a bit of dusting and vacuuming. However, it doesn’t just end there.

The work involved is deeper than a deep cleaning. It also requires professional equipment like wet, dry, and bucket vacuums, floor polishing machines, etc.

You may consider getting the needed equipment on rent for the job; however, if you think about the costs of the rental and the work involved, it is better to call in the experts for the job than do it yourself.

Post construction cleaning scope of work involves removing all the waste, dust, and debris from a site. This includes removing unnecessary components, screws, wooden and plastic pieces, tile and cement scrapes, caulking, etc. However, the scope of work varies and depends on the type of construction project and area.

Post Construction Cleaning Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need to perform a thorough cleaning by yourself. If you are calling the experts, make sure they are equipped with these basic supplies:

Dustpans of different sizes
Lots of trash bags
Powerful vacuum cleaners
Brooms and sweeps
Wheel trolley and cart
A mop
ladder
Scrubbers
Pressure wash
Gloves, masks, helmets, etc.
Scrapers
All-surface cleaning chemicals and supplies
Floor cleaning equipment and polisher

Post Construction Cleaning Scope of Work

Be it residential post construction cleaning or commercial cleaning, it involves three phases to ensure the site is entirely free from waste and hazardous materials.

Decluttering

The first step is to get rid of all the big unwanted stuff. This includes large pieces of debris, all the trash, and other building materials we no longer need. So, just like regular cleaning, this step is all about removing the bigger obstacles that come in the way of sweeping and vacuuming.

Inside Deep Cleaning

The next step involves an inside cleaning of the site. This means you must go room to room and properly clean all surfaces, doors, windows, cabinets, counters, etc. All the places must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected to remove all the germs, mold, and bacteria lurking around the corners or sides.

Final Inspection

Lastly, you need to do a complete inspection following the cleaning to see if everything on your post-construction cleaning checklist has been covered.

How to Do Post Construction Cleaning

The scope of work performed for post home construction cleaning covers a wide area. There’s a lot of heavy machinery involved, thorough scrubbing and cleaning, and a lot of effort required to get it done right.

Remember, this is not your regular home cleaning; you need a lot of supplies that are generally not part of the cleaning and funds for renting the machines. Thus, if you want to optimize the residential post construction cleaning scope of work, it’s best to call in the experts.

But, even if someone professional is doing the job for you, it is in your best interest to know everything the job entails. That way, you can double-check to ensure nothing’s left out and you get the desired results.

So, let’s see everything covered in the post construction cleaning scope of work.

Sweep the Floors

First, you must throw out all the remnants of the construction work. Then, once all the big obstructions are out of the way, sweep!

There will be a lot of dry dust that can only be removed by sweeping. The dust will take time to go and will probably settle again.

So go room by room as you sweep. Then, do a second round of sweeping when the dust clouds settle.

Vacuum the Carpets

You will need a high-quality and powerful vacuum cleaner. Use it not once but at least twice in every room following the sweeping. If you have in-house carpeting, run the vacuum slowly to take up as many dirt particles as possible.

After vacuuming once, leave the place and carry out the second run after about an hour.

If there are any stains, use the carpet cleaner and blot them well with the cleaning towel or paper towels, then wipe clean.

Clean Tiled Floors/Walls

Tiled surfaces accumulate many specks of dust, debris, and brick dust. Now cleaning these surfaces is a tad bit tricky. But, here’s how you can do it right:

Wipe: First, wipe the tiles using a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Then, use a dry cloth and wipe again to cleanse the tile.
Scrub: Look for smudges or stains, scrub with your sponge, or use a putty knife to scrape off the residue. Be careful not to scratch the tile.
Buff: Wipe and buff the tile using a soft towel. Microfiber cloths work perfectly for buffing as they are lint-free.

Scour Wooden Surfaces

The thing about wood is that if you use water to clean it, it can get damaged or, worse, grow mold. So, you need to keep away all moisture or dry the surface as soon as possible to prevent the water from seeping in and causing mold issues.

So to clean wooden surfaces, you will need:

Dry Towel: Use a dry towel to remove and wipe any residue on the floor, cabinets, or counter.
Distilled White Vinegar: Use white vinegar or an all-purpose cleaner to wipe off stains.
Wood Oil: If the residue stays and cannot be wiped off, use the wood oil to soften it and carefully scrape it off with your putty knife. Use a plastic putty knife to avoid scratching the wood.

Window Cleaning

You’ll find a lot of dust on the windows, window sills, and base. So start from the top and clean all the window frames, base, and sills. Then, use a window cleaner to clean the glass and scrape off any redundant residue that may be stuck to the windows.

Finally, you may use the vacuum cleaner to remove all the dirt and leftover debris in the window pane.

Post Construction Cleaning Tips

Here are some further tips and tricks that’ll help get rid of all the stubborn spots and stains at the site:

Make sure to close and seal the rooms as you clean them. The dust and other hazardous particles remain suspended in the air and can return to cleaned rooms. So close the doors as you complete the cleaning work.
Ensure to close the ducts and vents. This will keep them safe from dust and debris.
Start from the innermost corner of the room while cleaning and go towards the exit or door.
Wear a mask, gloves, and other necessary protective equipment.
Start top down in every room; i.e., start from the ceiling and then gradually go downwards to the other surfaces and the floors.

Residential Post Construction Cleaning Scope of Work

For a residential post cleaning, you should go room by room to ensure every nook and corner. Here are some basic things to check off your list for thorough cleaning of the house:

Bathroom

Scrub the sink, shower, commode, and tub
Clean the faucets, knobs, and windows
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
Dust cabinets and electrical fittings
Clean the tiles, walls, and floors
Use your powerful vacuum cleaner to clean the floor.
Polish the floor if required.

Kitchen

Clean the fan, ceiling, and walls
Scrub the faucet and sink
Dust the cabinets, drawers, shelves, and counters
Clean all electrical fittings
Clean, scrub, and mop the floor
Polish the counters and floors as required.

Bedroom

Clean and wipe the walls.
Dust the ceiling fan and lights
Wipe and dust all cupboards, drawers, and shelves
Vacuum and mop the floors
Polish the cabinets and floor as needed.

Living Room

Clean all walls, ceiling and lights, and fixtures
Scrub the windows, including the window frame, sill, and glass
Clean counters, shelves, and cupboards
Wipe and, if needed, polish the surfaces.
Vacuum and mop the floors

This is just a general checklist, so it can vary depending on the type and scope of construction work.

Conclusion

A construction site is never instantly ready for use once the construction workers leave. Therefore, you need a thorough cleaning job that will take time, special knowledge, and deep detailing.

Now that you know what the post construction cleaning scope of work entails, you can make your checklist and ensure it is done right and thoroughly.

If you need professional help from cleaners, please feel free to order post-construction cleaning services from Sunlight Cleaning NY company. 100% satisfaction guaranteed!