Post-Construction Cleaning: What Homeowners Should Know
Your contractor says the job is done. The new kitchen looks amazing. Then you run a finger along the windowsill and it comes back white. That’s drywall dust, and it’s everywhere; you just can’t see most of it yet.
I do a lot of post-construction cleaning for new builds and renovations in the Kissimmee area, and the number one thing homeowners don’t expect is just how much dust a construction project leaves behind.
Why your regular cleaning routine won’t cut it
Construction mess is a completely different animal. Drywall dust is microscopic: it settles on every surface, inside every cabinet, deep into your air ducts. Then there’s paint overspray and caulk smears that need specific solvents. Adhesive residue from protective films and labels on windows and appliances. Sawdust packed into floor grooves and behind baseboards. Grout haze, that cloudy film on new tile.
You can’t clean this with a Swiffer and some Windex. It takes commercial-grade equipment and a process.
How I approach it
Most post-construction jobs take two passes, sometimes three for larger custom homes.
The first pass is the rough clean: I’m getting rid of all visible debris, sweeping and vacuuming every surface, wiping down walls and ceilings to knock off the heaviest dust, and cleaning the windows to remove stickers and protective film.
The second pass is the detail work, and it’s where most of the time goes. Every surface gets wiped again: counters, shelves, inside every cabinet, light fixtures, switch plates. Inside all the appliances. Fixtures get polished. Air vents get vacuumed or wiped. Floors get their final clean. This is the pass that takes the home from “construction site” to “ready to live in.”
On bigger projects (I’ve done some large custom homes out near ChampionsGate), a third touch-up pass is sometimes needed. Drywall dust has a way of reappearing after you think you’ve gotten it all.
Timing matters
Schedule the cleaning after every trade is completely finished. Painters, tile setters, trim carpenters, all of them. I’ve had clients book me too early and then need a second cleaning after the last subcontractor tracked dust through the house. Save yourself the money and wait until the work is fully done.
The best timing is the day after your final walkthrough with the builder, before the certificate of occupancy inspection or your move-in date.
What to expect on cost
Post-construction cleaning costs more than a standard residential clean because it takes significantly more time and labor. A typical 2,000 square foot new build takes a two-person team 6 to 10 hours across two visits. I give exact quotes after seeing the property: every job is different.
The building boom along US-27
New subdivisions in Davenport, Haines City, and along the US-27 corridor are delivering homes constantly. I work with several builders and general contractors in this area who need reliable post-construction cleaning on tight turnaround schedules. If you’re a builder looking for a cleaning partner who can handle volume and meet handoff deadlines, reach out: I know this market well.