Commercial Construction Cleaning Costs [Project & SQFT Rates]
Commercial construction is a top-revenue-generating industry, currently topping $1.29 trillion dollars in the U.S. But as all of those buildings go up, someone needs to clean up after the crews. Your contractor might provide rough cleaning services, but the building will be far from ready to move in when they leave.
Commercial construction cleaning rates range from $0.10 – $0.50 per square foot. Or, between $297 – $753 per project. The cleaning service, region, company, and requirements of a specific building all factor into the final price. Large commercial buildings may cost upwards of $3,000 for post-construction cleaning rates. While the average residential home will cost $500 and $800.
Commercial Construction Cleaning Rates
Have you ever wondered who cleans up all of the sawdust after construction crews finish their work? Commercial construction cleaning crews come through with a fine cloth to clean up after construction is complete. The national average for construction cleanup costs ranges between $0.10 – $0.50 per square foot. The total per project depends on the size of the area and includes differences for commercial or residential properties.
But you may not know that there are two types of construction cleaning. If you plan to have some remodeling done, make sure you know who is providing what services. Rough cleaning is typically performed by the contractor during construction. Fine cleaning is typically performed by a commercial construction cleaning crew hired independently from the building contractor. Fine cleaning occurs after all construction work has been completed.
Post-Construction Cleaning Rates
Commercial construction cleaning rates fall between $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. This cleaning service is a final step before moving into a newly built home. A fine post-construction cleaning is intended to remove any remaining dust or debris that settled in cracks or on the surfaces of windows. Depending on the building, additional cleaning services may be needed, which affects the final price tag of post-construction cleaning.
Rough Pass Cleaning
Removes the bulk of dirt and debris following the construction of a new building or addition. Rough pass cleaning rates are between $0.10 – $0.15 per square foot.
This service includes
- Sweeping Before Underlayment for Flooring
- Washing Interior Windows
- Dusting Surfaces
- Removing Visible Debris
Final Pass
Fine detail cleaning that removes finer dust and dirt particles that settle in corners and hard-to-reach surfaces. Final pass cleaning rates are between $0.15 – $0.50 per square foot.
This service includes
- Wall Detail: Removing Dust, Dirt, Debris, and Scuffs
- Ceilings/Light Fixtures
- Trim Detail: Baseboards, Doors, Windows
- Ducts, Vents
- Floors
- Window Detail: Tracks and Frames
- Removing All Trash and Packing Materials
Floor Waxing and Buffing
Some hard floor surfaces require wax and buffing to maintain their appearance. This service is limited to certain floor coverings and may not include the entire building. Typical prices for floor waxing and buffing are between $1 – $1.50 per square foot.
Carpet Cleaning
Commercial carpet cleaning removes dust and construction debris from carpets. Typical carpet cleaning prices are between $0.20 – $0.25 per square foot.
Touch Ups
Touch-up cleaning fluffing occurs after construction and sometimes after move-in or staging as a final pass. Touch-up cleaning is typically between $0.06 – $0.12 per square foot.
Window Cleaning Costs
Construction dust settles on glass surfaces which are often not included in other cleaning services. Window cleaning costs are typical $4 – $11 per square foot.
HVAC Cleaning Costs
The HVAC system moves air around the entire building, redistributing dust that settles there during construction. HVAC cleaning is typically billed as a flat fee between $300 – $700 per project.
Should You Hire a Commercial Construction Cleaning Crew?
Adding additional costs on top of construction can be off-putting. But the alternatives are to leave the construction dust behind, which can be potentially hazardous to resident health. Or, cleaning up after construction on your own. Whether you should DIY or hire out commercial construction cleaning depends on your available time and attention to detail. The benefit of hiring the service out is that you don’t have to worry about it.
Cost alone should not be the only factor considered when hiring a commercial construction cleaning company. The total cost will likely fall between $300 – $700 per project. That is not an insurmountable sum of money, especially when a skilled cleaning company can make the process simple.
How Long Does Commercial Construction Cleaning Take?
Detail cleaning is tedious and time-consuming. Expect a crew to take one hour per 100 square feet. The entire project depends on the size of the building, but a crew of 2 – 4 workers can finish most projects in one or two full days.
Commercial construction cleaning projects are typically quoted on a ‘per square foot basis, so the length of time and number of workers usually doesn’t impact your out-of-pocket cost. However, the details are unique in every contract and with every service provider so make sure all pricing is spelled out clearly in the contract.
How to Find a Commercial Construction Cleaning Company
Commercial cleaning and commercial construction cleaning are two different services. While many commercial cleaning companies may offer both services, it is important to distinguish between the two. Commercial cleaning typically refers to the daily or regular cleaning services offered to office buildings, medical facilities, and much more.
Commercial construction cleaning is a service specifically targeted toward post-construction cleanup after a remodel, addition, or new construction. Commercial construction cleaning companies focus on thorough detail cleaning services and have higher rates than routine office cleaning rates.
Ask for Referrals
Word of mouth is still the most effective way to find great local businesses. Ask other contractors and building managers who they recommend for commercial cleaning.
Make a note of the companies that get good reviews and those that don’t. Social media can be a good place to get recommendations if your local network comes up dry.
Read Online Reviews
There is no shortage of platforms for the general public to leave their opinion on. Consider checking Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Angi to get the dirt on commercial cleaning companies in your area. To make it easy, you can typically sort by star ratings or number of reviews.
Advertising
Reviews are good, but sometimes you can miss a hidden gem. The good thing about digital advertising is that once you start searching for something, you are likely to see many more advertisements for similar services. So start paying attention to what companies show up in your web searches and inbox.
How to Hire a Commercial Construction Cleaning Company
Once you identify a few options for commercial construction cleaning companies, it is time to start collecting quotes. In your request for proposals (RFPs), you will need to provide adequate information in order to get accurate pricing. Here is what to include:
Give Specific Details
Take the time to ask for exactly what you want in terms of services. Be specific about what you need and what criteria might disqualify a company from consideration.
It is ok to allow prospective vendors to disqualify themselves early on. Ultimately, you only want to hire one company that you will be satisfied with.
Know Your Needs
Commercial construction cleaning companies offer a variety of services, and not all services are right for every building. Consider if you will need rough cleaning or detail cleaning.
Also, consider what areas of the building might need extra detail like windows, carpets, or tile floors. You may end up overpaying for services that you do not need unless you are clear in your RFP.
Plan a Site Visit Before Signing
Narrow your list down to the top three, and then invite them for a walk-through. It can be really difficult, if not impossible, to provide an accurate quote without seeing the space.
Plus, the visit provides an opportunity to communicate exactly what you need and expect. You can get a feel for how each company conducts itself and choose one that feels right to you. The purpose of the site visit is to prevent unexpected expenses from popping up once work has begun.
Tips for Managing a Commercial Construction Cleaning Company
A successful partnership with third-party service providers requires regular and open communication. If both parties are clear on the details of the agreement upfront and both feel comfortable providing feedback during the partnership, then there is a high likelihood that the project will be successful. Keep these tips in mind:
- Use a detailed service contract to document expectations for both parties.
- Address surprises, disappointments, or concerns promptly and professionally.
- Be open about communication and provide friendly feedback when requested.
- Be patient in the beginning. It takes time to get into a good rhythm.
Other Cleaning Services
The Takeaway
Commercial construction cleaning prices vary depending on the size of the building and the level of services required. Rough cleaning is the easiest to accomplish and can be done for rates between $0.10 – $0.15 per square foot.
Final Pass cleaning is much more detailed and time-consuming, and therefore also more expensive. Add-on services like window cleaning and floor buffing add a little extra polish to a finished space. The average cost of commercial construction cleaning is $497 per project.
