Even when they are done right, new construction, remodeling, and renovation projects tend to leave behind a huge mess. While contractors might be good at building things, they generally miss the mark when it comes to thoroughly cleaning the newly constructed space. Dust, debris, drywall pieces, sawdust, and post-construction litter all get in the way of you enjoying your new space.

Yet this commercial-grade debris is also the sort of thing that’s very hard to clean up on your own. When improvised cleanup goes wrong it can leave behind traces that get embedded in soft surfaces and stains that magically seem to reappear weeks or even months later. Not to mention the very serious risk of particulate matter infiltrating your HVAC system to spread throughout the rest of the home or building!

To truly get this construction space clean the first time, you need to hire a professional post-construction cleaning service. They have the tools and highly trained technicians to ensure that the entire construction site is cleaned right the first time and that there is no lingering particulate matter remaining to haunt you later.

Though not all post-construction cleaning companies are created equal. There are a lot of fly-by-night cleaning companies that just give it their best shot. To help you find the best post-construction cleaning company for your project, we’ll need to take a closer look at the potential problems as well as what you want to see and hear before contracting a professional cleaner for your job site.

What Is Post-Construction Cleaning?

Post-construction cleaning is the final and arguably most essential phase of any new construction or renovation project. Unfortunately, the dust it creates tends to stick on windows cabinets, and smooth surfaces. It also has a knack for infiltrating the vent openings of your HVAC system. Not to mention setting onto carpets, upholstery, and other soft surfaces.

Extricating this dust right the very first time is essential for keeping it from spreading. There’s also the very real risk of dust mixing with moisture, from condensation or high ambient humidity to cause stains on porous hard surfaces like concrete.

Though one of the biggest concerns is that the dust created by the construction process can be a severe respiratory irritant. Not only can it cause problems for a perfectly healthy person, but this dust can threaten the health of individuals with respiratory conditions.

Post-Construction Dust & Respiratory Health

A lot of the dust produced during the construction process releases tiny particles into the air. Some have dangerous silicates and other harmful toxins that can damage lung tissues and the lining of the respiratory system. If these particles aren’t removed correctly from the environment the first time, they can continue to recirculate, causing chronic irritation to the respiratory systems of all who occupy the space.

Post-construction dust has been linked to respiratory health problems like:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Respiratory inflammation
  • Increased asthma attacks
  • Increased risk of lung cancer
  • Silicosis
  • Chronic inflammation conditions

The Benefits Of Hiring A Post Construction Cleanup Service

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a post-construction cleanup service is that you, your loved one, and/or your employees don’t have to put yourself at risk of exposure to potentially hazardous dust. You also get the peace of mind that comes with knowing true professionals are using state-of-the-art equipment and training to eliminate all traces of post-construction dust.

This includes the use of a specific facility for legal disposal. This ensures not only legal compliance, but the peace of mind that comes from knowing any potentially hazardous materials are not going into the environment.

The Post-Construction Cleanup Process

Professional post-construction cleaning is designed to clean your home, office, or place of business from top to bottom. This includes using a time-tested checklist to make sure the following things are done.

  • All walls and vertical surfaces are clean and there is not a single mark of dirt.
  • All physical debris and garbage are removed.
  • All the wires, nails, screws, glass sharp metal objects, and other potentially dangerous materials are removed and disposed of properly equipment.
  • All horizontal surfaces are wiped down using techniques that trap dust and prevent it from being dispersed into the air.
  • All vent openings and fresh air returns are wiped down and vacuumed.
  • All soft surfaces, carpets, and upholstery are vacuumed with a commercial-grade HEPA filter to prevent dust dispersion.
  • All the floors are free from every stain and other stubborn marks.
  • Dust is removed from all lights, the tops of doors, window treatments, and other areas that are hard to reach.
  • Many times the exterior of the building or job site also needs cleaning. Dust and other contaminants can easily be tracked from the interior to the exterior of the building on the bottom of the contractor’s boots. If it’s not properly cleaned it could easily be tracked back into the building after the post-construction cleanup phase is complete.

A good post-construction cleanup company will assess all high-traffic areas and clean them appropriately. In the case of a long-term construction or renovation project, the exterior sidewalk and other high foot traffic areas might need to be power washed.

Touch-Up Cleaning & Documentation

This is the final phase of post-construction cleaning involves a meticulous touch-up cleaning to go over all areas again. This is as much of an inspection as it is a cleaning process. The goal is to make sure that absolutely nothing has been missed. It confirms that your new and improved space is truly safe and ready to be occupied.

When you work with a post-construction cleanup industry leader like Building Services, you also get detailed documentation of what was cleaned, how it was cleaned, and how any materials were disposed of. In the case of a commercial property, this professional level of documentation ensures that you are compliant with all applicable safety and environmental regulations. It’s a great layer of insulation against any future liability concerns!