Post-Construction Cleanup: What to Expect and Why You Need Pros

So your renovation is done. The contractor finally packed up and left. You look around your newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom and it looks amazing, except for the fact that every single surface is coated in a fine layer of drywall dust. Welcome to post-construction reality.

I have been cleaning up after contractors across Los Angeles for over three years now. From kitchen remodels in Glendale to full gut renovations in the Hollywood Hills, I have seen it all. Here is what you need to know about post-construction cleaning.

What Post-Construction Cleaning Actually Involves

This is not a regular cleaning. Not even close. Construction dust is different from regular household dust. It is finer, it sticks to everything, and if you just try to wipe it up with a regular cloth, you are going to scratch your brand new surfaces.

Here is what we do on a typical post-construction clean:

• Remove all visible debris and construction materials
• Vacuum everything first to get the bulk of the dust (we use HEPA filter vacuums)
• Damp-wipe every surface, and I mean every surface. Walls, ceilings, countertops, windowsills, door frames
• Clean inside all cabinets and closets (dust gets everywhere, even behind closed doors)
• Remove tape, stickers, and protective film from windows and fixtures
• Scrub floors, sometimes multiple passes
• Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Detail all new hardware and fixtures so they actually shine
• HVAC vents, because construction dust clogs those up fast

Why You Should Not DIY This

I know what you are thinking. "I will just grab some rags and handle it myself." I have talked to dozens of homeowners who tried that. Most of them called me afterward because they either could not get the dust out or they accidentally scratched their new countertops or floors.

Drywall dust is abrasive. If you wipe it across a granite countertop or hardwood floor without proper technique, you are going to leave scratches. We use specific products and methods for different surfaces to avoid that.

It also takes way longer than you think. A post-construction clean on a medium-sized renovation easily takes a full day for a team of two or three. A homeowner doing it alone? You are looking at an entire weekend, minimum.

How Much Does It Cost?

In LA, post-construction cleaning runs anywhere from $300 to $800 depending on the size of the project. A single-room remodel is on the lower end. A whole-house renovation or new build is on the higher end.

Compared to what you just spent on the renovation itself, the cleaning cost is a rounding error. And it is the difference between your new space looking finished and your new space looking like a construction zone that happens to have nice cabinets.

When to Schedule the Clean

Ideally, schedule us for the day after the contractor does their final walkthrough. Make sure all the work is truly done. There is nothing worse than cleaning a space and then having the contractor come back to touch something up and leave dust everywhere again.

We work with a lot of contractors in Pasadena, Burbank, and West LA who actually recommend us to their clients directly. It makes the handoff smoother for everyone.

If you just wrapped up a renovation and need your space cleaned properly, give us a call at (424) 677-1146. We will come out, take a look, and give you an honest quote. Your new space deserves to actually look new.