May 31, 2023

The 3 Phases of Post-Construction Cleaning

The New York Building Congress predicts that, in 2024, the city will spend nearly $97 billion on new construction projects. So, there’s a good chance that you may be considering a project yourself. Constructing a new space is endlessly exciting and can open so many possibilities in your career or your personal life.

Just because a construction project is completed doesn’t mean the work is done. Once the construction is finalized and there’s a home ready to be occupied, there’s still plenty of cleanup that needs to be done. Luckily, you don’t have to handle it alone. Here, we’ll discuss the three phases of post-construction clean-up and talk about how to make the process easier on yourself and your crew.

Phase One: Rough Clean

The first phase of post-construction cleaning shouldn’t start until all plumbing is complete and all electrical wires are properly framed. Sometimes, the Rough Clean doesn’t start until construction is fully completed, while in other cases, cleaning may begin right after plumbing and electrical work is finished, even if other construction tasks are still ongoing.

The first steps of post-construction cleaning often make the most significant changes in the space. Phase One involves cleaning any appliances, cabinets, and shelves both inside and out, which provides an instant breath of fresh air for the space. This is also the time to remove any plastic or stickers from new appliances, furniture, windows, doors, and the like.

The bulk of your trash and debris will be disposed of at this stage. Your cleaning crew can make quick work of this step, allowing you to attend to the smaller details of the space. Anything that’s too big to be swept or vacuumed up will be taken away. At this point, it’s also important to double-check for any safety issues, leaks, loose wires, or any other issue that may need to be brought to the attention of your contractors.

This phase also includes cleaning any windows or glass doors that may have been dirtied during construction. If need be, you can give these surfaces another cleaning later, but giving them some attention early on is a quick and easy way to make the space feel more complete. If paint or other construction materials have left any stains, those will be taken care of during this initial cleaning phase.

Finishing the Rough Clean phase makes a huge difference in your space and allows you to move on to other aesthetic tasks, such as painting the walls or bringing in some décor. The next cleaning phase is a bit more labor-intensive, but there’s no need to wait to bring in your favorite painting or your new dresser.

Phase Two: Light Clean

In the second phase, you (or your cleaning crew) get into the details. As you might expect, this phase usually lasts the longest and requires many cleaning products and tools. That’s why hiring a cleaning crew, especially in New York, is common for this stage of construction projects.

The second phase involves cleaning installed items like countertops, sinks, cabinets, toilets, and the like. When these items are installed, there’s plenty of debris left behind. Besides dust and dirt, there may also be stray tools or nails that present safety hazards. Your cleaning team will ensure your space is tidy and safe by properly disposing of any and all leftover construction materials.

Your cleaners will attend to the floors, clean baseboards, and wipe down the door frames. Dusting is also a big component of this phase, as your cleaning crew will tackle areas like heaters, fans, ceilings, and lights. Any dust that has accumulated during construction will be properly eliminated.

This phase is the time when cleaning crews will attend to specialized rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms. You’ll find that many of your standard deep-cleaning tasks take place during this phase, such as scrubbing showers and bathtubs, cleaning countertops, and sanitizing sinks.

Phase Three: Touch-Up Cleaning

The final phase of cleaning is arguably the most important and usually happens about a week after Phase Two has started. At this point, the construction team has typically finished its final walkthrough. Construction is officially complete, and after Phase Three of cleaning, the space will be fully ready for use!

This phase involves cleaning fingerprints and smudges from various surfaces, vacuuming and mopping floors, and giving the space a general overview to ensure everything is cleaned properly. Any stray markings or smudges will be cleaned, turning the area from a construction zone into a fully functional space.

If new appliances have been installed, this phase is the time to get rid of fingerprints and make the exteriors shine like new. Even the smallest details will be attended to, such as cleaning the trim and removing marks or smudges on the walls. Whether you’re building an office in the heart of Manhattan or a home on the outskirts of the city, these small elements make all the difference.

Touch-up cleaning typically doesn’t take as long as either of the other two cleaning phases. The majority of the space is already clean, but this final phase puts the finishing touches on the project as a whole. Once this step is complete, regular maintenance cleaning should be all you need to keep your space looking and feeling fresh and neat.

Working with Cleaning Professionals in NYC

Cleaning your space after a construction project brings a whole new feeling of satisfaction. But there’s no doubt that post-construction cleaning in New York can feel nearly impossible on your own. Still, you probably don’t want to ask your construction crew to clean as they go. Even without extra responsibilities on crews, large construction projects usually take 20% longer to finish than planned and are up to 80% over budget.

Hiring a professional cleaning crew can be a beneficial alternative to tackling the cleanup yourself or with your construction crew. Professional cleaners are efficient and affordable, getting your space move-in ready in no time.

Especially in Phases Two and Three, hiring a team of professional NYC cleaners can be a huge help. You won’t have to worry about finding or purchasing all the cleaning equipment you need, and you don’t have to be concerned about moving old furniture, appliances, or large amounts of debris by yourself. Plus, you’ll save countless hours of effort by allowing a team to tackle most of the cleaning.

White Glove Cleaner provides comprehensive post-construction cleaning services to clients throughout New York City. We know life never stops in the City That Never Sleeps, and you’ve got better things to do than clean your space for days on end. Our team has been specially vetted and trained to properly clean post-construction spaces, letting you get back to your life while we handle your space.

We provide custom quotes for every client, so you never have to worry about overpaying. White Glove Cleaner only uses the most effective, safest, and most eco-friendly cleaning solutions for every job, keeping you and your family safe and healthy. Plus, once your post-construction cleaning is done, we can set you up for recurring services to keep your home or apartment spotless around the clock. Construction is exciting, and now, you can start enjoying your space right away. Contact White Glove Cleaner today to learn more about our post-construction cleaning services in Manhattan and NYC.