Post construction cleaning companies clean new builds, remodels, and tenant improvements after the trades are done and before the owner, buyer, or tenant moves in. Invoices usually go to general contractors, builders, property managers, and homeowners. Most jobs are billed per square foot, by cleaning stage, or as a flat fee for the project, with add-ons for specialty work like window scraping or pressure washing.
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Most post construction cleaners price by square foot of finished interior space, then adjust for condition, number of stages, ceiling height, glass count, and access. Many jobs run in three stages: a rough clean after framing and drywall, a final clean after finishes and fixtures, and a touch-up clean right before handover. Contractors often want a flat bid per stage or per unit, especially on multi-unit or commercial work. Hourly rates are used for small remodels, change orders, and extra visits, usually with a minimum crew charge. Add-ons such as window cleaning, floor scrubbing or buffing, dumpster-area debris removal, and pressure washing are listed as separate line items. Heavy dust from drywall sanding, paint overspray, adhesive, and stickers on glass can push a job into a higher price tier, so document condition before you start. Commercial work is often billed against a purchase order or a schedule of values with progress billing.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Rough clean (after drywall/framing) | per sq ft | $0.15-0.40 |
| Final clean (after finishes and fixtures) | per sq ft | $0.25-0.60 |
| Touch-up clean before handover | per sq ft | $0.10-0.25 |
| Interior window cleaning with scraping | per window | $5-15 |
| Crew labor for small remodels or extra visits | per hour (per cleaner) | $35-65 |
| Floor scrubbing, degreasing, or buffing | per sq ft | $0.20-0.75 |
| Minimum job charge | flat fee | $250-500 |
| Pressure washing of patios, walks, and garage floors | per sq ft | $0.20-0.50 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough clean, 2,400 sq ft new residential build (dust removal, debris pickup, vacuum all surfaces) | 2400 sq ft | $0.20 | $480.00 |
| Final clean, 2,400 sq ft (cabinets, fixtures, bathrooms, floors, trim, appliances) | 2400 sq ft | $0.40 | $960.00 |
| Window cleaning, interior and exterior, with paint and sticker scraping | 28 windows | $10.00 | $280.00 |
| Garage floor degreasing and pressure wash | 550 sq ft | $0.30 | $165.00 |
| Additional touch-up visit requested by builder (2 cleaners) | 6 labor hours | $45.00 | $270.00 |
| Total | $2,155.00 | ||
Notes: Project: 142 Alder Ct, PO #4471. Rough clean completed 3/4, final clean 3/18, touch-up 3/21. Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. Re-clean requests for work disturbed by other trades after sign-off are billed at the hourly rate.
Per square foot pricing only holds up if the client can see which areas and how much space you billed for.
Builders often pay per stage and need dates to match against their construction schedule.
Commercial and contractor accounts commonly will not process payment without it.
Separate lines show what was extra and make it easier to approve or dispute individual items.
Re-cleans after other trades return are the most common source of disputes. A name and date back up the charge.
Many GCs and property managers require proof of licensing and liability insurance, and some local jurisdictions require a business license.
On larger commercial projects, retainage and lien waiver paperwork can affect when and how much you get paid.
Residential builders and homeowners often pay within 7 to 15 days of final walkthrough. Commercial general contractors commonly pay net 30, and some pay only after the owner pays them, so confirm terms before you start. For large jobs, ask for a 25 to 50 percent deposit or bill by stage, and consider progress billing for multi-week projects. A late fee of 1 to 1.5 percent per month is common if it is stated in your estimate or contract in advance. Checks, ACH transfers, and card payments are all common, and card fees are sometimes passed on to the client where allowed.
Take photos of dust levels, paint overspray, stickers on glass, and debris. A site visit lets you price the real condition, and the photos protect you if someone later claims the space was already dirty.
Invoice the rough clean when it is done instead of waiting for final handover. Construction schedules slip, and unbilled work can sit for months.
Other trades often come back after you finish and leave new dust or debris. Put a re-clean rate in your estimate and invoice those visits separately.
If you remove construction debris, extra trash, or hazardous-looking materials, price disposal separately. Do not absorb it into the per square foot rate.
Have the contractor or owner sign off on the final walkthrough. A signed acceptance makes it harder to delay payment over small punch-list complaints.
Per square foot works best for new builds and larger remodels because clients can compare bids easily. Hourly rates fit small jobs, change orders, and return visits. Many cleaners use both on the same project.
State payment terms in your estimate and on every invoice, including any late fee. Send invoices right after each stage, follow up on a set schedule, and consider stopping work on later stages if earlier ones are unpaid.
Yes, and it is a good idea. Listing them as separate line items keeps the base clean price clear and lets the client approve add-ons individually.
It depends on your state. Some states tax cleaning services or janitorial services and others do not, and rules can differ for new construction. Check with your state tax agency or an accountant.
Refer to your scope of work and the signed walkthrough. Offer a limited touch-up for items that fall within the original scope, and bill separately for new dust or damage caused by other trades after your visit.
Send a Post Construction Cleaning estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Post Construction Cleaning estimate template