Post-Construction Cleaning Checklist

It’s no secret that construction gets messy. When the actual project is finally complete, you’re left to clean up the mess - dust, debris, spills, all the stuff that comes with building. Whether it’s a new commercial facility or a home renovation, our post-construction cleaning checklist will help you stay organized and efficient in the last stage of every project you undertake.

Quick Post-Construction Cleaning Checklist

What is Post-Construction Cleanup?

All the attention gets placed on the project itself. But clearing out the debris, dust, and residue from a building after renovation or new construction is complete is the final step in construction, and not something that can be taken lightly. 

Post-construction cleanup is usually something that happens in phases. Bulky debris is removed first, then cleaners will put the finishing touches on the space. The overarching goal is to get the space ready for occupancy or the next step, such as furnishing. 

Who Handles Cleanup After Construction? 

The tricky part of cleaning job sites after construction is that it’s not always clear who is going to handle it. Sometimes, general contractors will include cleanup within their scope of work. In most cases, though, it’s passed off to a dedicated janitorial crew or specialized post-construction cleanup company. The property owner or facility manager may coordinate cleanup themselves for smaller jobs. 

The process is more or less the same no matter who takes it on, though. You can easily follow a post-construction cleaning checklist yourself. You just need a few pieces of equipment, which are well worth the investment if you envision yourself frequently cleaning the facility.

What Does Post-Construction Cleaning Include?

The easiest way to get started with post-construction cleanup is to break it into three distinct phases. The task becomes a lot less overwhelming this way. First, you have to clear all the trash and other junk out of the site. 

Getting Rid of All the Big Stuff

Lumber scraps, packaging material, drywall cutoffs, bails, fasteners, protective coverings - you have to get all of this stuff out of the space. The goal is to get unobstructed access to the floor, which is where a lot of the real mess lives. 

This part of the process is the most manual. You’ll have to haul everything to a dumpster, sort recyclables if needed, and get the space as empty as possible. You don’t want to waste any time actually cleaning the floor until you have access to all of it.  

Cleaning Up Dust and Other Light Debris

You know all too well how easily construction dust can spread throughout a space. It settles on windowsills, inside vent covers, on top of door frames, and in every crack and crevice the builders touched. We recommend starting high and working your way down. That might entail:

• Ceiling fixtures
• Light covers
• Shelving
• Ledges

THEN you can start working on the walls, and then the floors. This will prevent you from cleaning the higher surfaces just to send dust back onto them when you agitate it from lower surfaces.

The best thing you can do in this phase is invest in a commercial floor sweeper. Whereas push brooms move dust around and can send it airborne, these sweeping machines collect it into a hopper that you can empty when the job is finished. A heavy-duty commercial vacuum cleaner can help you get into all the nooks and crannies like corners, vents, and carpeted spaces.

Note: This phase takes the longest because dust is so easy to spread around. You may need to repeat it 1-2 times to fully eradicate all the construction dust.

Intensive Floor Scrubbing

Now the floors need a proper scrub with all the dust off them. Concrete, tile, and VCT all get coated in residue during construction. Hazy grout, smeared adhesive, dripping paint, ground-in dirt from foot traffic and equipment - this stuff won’t come off the floor with a sweep alone.

A commercial floor scrubber saves you time and gets you better results. You can choose a targeted chemical cleaning agent, and the machine will lay it down on the floor and scrub it in using either brushes or pads. Then a vacuum system recovers the dirty water into a separate tank, while a squeegee dries the floor.

In contrast, a mop would merely spread the mess around and leave the floor still contaminated. You’d be left wondering, why does my floor feel sticky after mopping? Trust us, a floor scrubber is worth the investment. Just make sure you choose the right cleaning chemicals for your flooring type and the specific mess you’re up against. 

More Post-Construction Cleaning Tips

Timing is among the most underrated post-construction cleaning tips we have to offer. There’s nothing more frustrating than thinking you’re getting a head start on cleaning, only for one final subcontractor to come in and make another mess. Wait until every trade has finished their work so you don’t have to do the same job twice. 

Here are a few other things that can save time and prevent rework:

• Clean from top to bottom, back to front. Dust falls, so work with gravity rather than against it.
• HVAC systems need work, too. Replace the filter and inspect the ductwork for construction dust before running the system.
• Protect finished floors during any remaining punch-list work. Kraft paper or floor protection film doesn’t take too long to lay down, and it’ll save you more heavy lifting later on.
• Plan for at least two full passes - the first one picks up what you can actually see, whereas the second one will pick up what the first one shook loose. 

Our blog has more tips on how to clean concrete floors and how to clean a warehouse floor if you want additional insights on specific types of flooring you may be working on.

Set Yourself Up For Success With SweepScrub! 

All that’s left to do is take our post-construction cleaning checklist and empower yourself with the right tools. SweepScrub carries all the latest and greatest machines from the top commercial floor care brands. You can turn a multi-day grind into a manageable job.

Whether you want a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner or a floor sweeper scrubber combo machine, our experts are ready to recommend the right equipment for your job sites. Reach out today and start cleaning smarter! 

Frequently asked questions

What does post-construction cleaning consist of?

Bulk debris removal, dust and light debris cleanup (sweeping, vacuuming, wiping surfaces down), and intensive floor scrubbing. There may be more nuanced detail work on your specific post-construction cleaning checklist. It all depends on the space you’re cleaning. 

Can I do post-construction cleaning myself?

Absolutely. This is something a lot of contractors end up taking into their own hands because it saves a lot of money on hiring out a separate cleaning company. You just need to source the right supplies and equipment, and train your staff. 

Is post-construction cleaning hard?

Not at all, especially when you have the tools and equipment you need to succeed. Take the next step at SweepScrub today and we’ll help you get set up for success!