Post-Construction Cleaning: Checklist, Phases and What to Expect

Quick answer: post-construction cleaning removes the fine dust, residue and debris left behind by a remodel, addition or new build so the home is safe and ready to live in. It is done in phases — a rough clean after the messy trades, a final clean once fixtures and floors are in, and a touch-up before move-in — and it is different from a deep clean because the dust is everywhere, including inside cabinets, vents and appliances. Here is what to expect, what is included, and how to prepare, drawn from the renovation projects we clean for homeowners, designers and builders across Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Palm Beach County.

Why construction dust needs its own kind of clean

Drywall, tile and wood dust is finer than household dust and it travels. It settles on every horizontal surface, inside every cabinet and drawer that was open during the work, on top of door frames and ceiling fans, and — the part most people miss — into the HVAC returns and ducts, from which it keeps coming back for months. A standard clean pushes it around. A post-construction clean removes it: top down, with professional vacuums rather than feather dusters, with damp wiping of every surface, and with the vents and registers handled last so the system is not pulling dust back into clean rooms. Ask your HVAC company about replacing the filter once the clean is done.

The three phases

1. Rough clean

Done after drywall, painting and the messiest trades are finished but before final fixtures, cabinet hardware and flooring protection come off. The goal is to remove the bulk of dust and debris, wipe surfaces, clean the windows, and leave the space workable for the finishing trades. On a kitchen remodel this is often skipped and folded into the final clean; on a whole-home project it is essential.

2. Final clean

Done once construction is complete: cabinets, counters, fixtures, appliances and flooring installed, protective coverings removed. This is the detailed top-to-bottom clean described in the checklist below and the phase most homeowners mean when they book post-construction cleaning.

3. Touch-up clean

Done after the contractor’s punch list and just before move-in or the designer’s photo shoot: fingerprints from the final work, dust from a last cut or patch, a polish of glass and fixtures, and a last pass on the floors.

Post-construction cleaning checklist

Top down, every room

• Ceilings, crown molding, ceiling fans and light fixtures wiped; recessed-light trims cleaned.
• Walls dusted (new paint is wiped gently, not scrubbed); switch plates and outlet covers cleaned.
• Door frames, doors, hardware, window frames, sills and tracks cleaned; window glass cleaned inside and residue removed.
• Baseboards and trim wiped; closet shelves and rods cleaned.
• HVAC registers and returns vacuumed and wiped.

Kitchen and baths

• Inside and outside of every new cabinet and drawer, including the tops of uppers and the toe kicks.
• Countertops and backsplash cleaned with the correct product for quartz, granite or marble.
• Appliances cleaned inside and out; stainless polished.
• Sinks, faucets, showers, tubs and toilets cleaned and polished; plumber’s residue and caulk smears removed; mirrors and shower glass cleaned.

Floors

• All floors vacuumed, including corners, edges and under appliances where possible.
• Tile and stone mopped with a neutral cleaner.
• Wood and luxury vinyl cleaned with the manufacturer-recommended product; no steam, no excess water.
• Carpet vacuumed thoroughly.

Exterior-adjacent areas

• Entry and sliding glass doors, glass and hardware cleaned.
• Patio and garage cleaning available at an additional cost. Excessive debris, construction materials, paint, drywall-mud and adhesive removal and specialty restoration are not included and may require a revised estimate.

How to prepare

Confirm with your contractor when dust-producing work ends and when protective coverings will be removed. Ask that large debris be hauled before the cleaners arrive. Have the water and power on, and share any product requirements from the cabinet, counter or flooring installer (some warranties specify what may be used). If a designer or photographer is coming, schedule the touch-up clean for the day before. For projects in gated communities such as PGA National, BallenIsles or Admirals Cove, arrange gate access for the cleaning team in advance.

Who typically books it

Homeowners finishing a kitchen or bath remodel; interior designers handing over a project; general contractors and builders who want a professional final clean before the client walkthrough; buyers of new construction who want the home cleaned before furniture arrives; and investors and agents preparing a renovated property for listing. We work with all of them, often on the same project.