The moment you have dreamed of since signing with your contractor has arrived: your commercial building project is done. But as you look around your site, you realize there’s still a lot of work ahead of you, specifically in the cleaning department. Here’s everything you need to know about site cleaning after construction.
But shouldn’t my contractor clean the work site?
Under Virginia law, contractors have to clean up any “contaminants” and need to ensure the site is usable for human occupancy after the project is complete. But there are exemptions to this law and useable and clean can mean two different things, depending on your contractor.
If you choose a good contractor, they should coordinate the clean-up post-renovation, including hiring a cleaning crew, but it’s always best to be in the loop on the best post-project cleanup tips.
Tip 1: Know the types of post-project clean-up
Like decluttering your closet, there are multiple phases to cleaning up after a construction project. It’s important to understand them all–and to figure out which ones your contractor will take care of and which they won’t.
The three phases of construction site cleanup include:
- Rough Interior Cleaning: the rough clean is all about picking up the big construction debris and making sure the worksite is safe for human occupancy. It can also include prepping the floors for carpet.
- Final Interior Cleanup: After all the big debris is gone, it’s time to get into the details. The final interior cleanup makes sure the site is as clean as can be and includes sweeping the floors, cleaning all appliances, checking the HVAC system, dusting, and cleaning windows and counters.
- Exterior Cleanup: after the interior is cleaned, it’s time to tackle the great outdoors in one final cleaning. Any remaining construction supplies, such as wood or drywall. This often also includes cleaning windows, the gutters, and power washing any concrete surfaces, including walkways and driveways.
Most likely, both the rough interior and exterior cleanup will be the contractor’s responsibility under law, but the final interior cleanup may not be their legal obligation. Check with your contractor to see if they manage the final interior cleanup.
Tip 2: Find a good cleaning company
A contractor usually subcontracts out different parts of the construction project and makes sure all the teams work well together. That duty often extends to finding and hiring the right cleaning company. If you have a good contractor, they should hire a cleaning company who specializes in cleaning up commercial construction sites. As you can imagine, this would be a very different service than regularly cleaning someone’s home or office space!
You may also want to schedule a deep cleaning after they leave and before you open to the public again. Post-construction cleaning services aren’t also the most comprehensive and may not include vacuuming, washing baseboards, and other cleaning processes you want done. Many construction companies can refer you to a reputable commercial cleaning service and carpet cleaning company for future use.
Tip 3: Make sure to disinfect
It’s not enough to get rid of the debris and construction materials that are visible to the naked eye. Post-construction cleanup must also include disinfecting surfaces to get rid of any bacteria or viruses.
Sometimes, bacteria foreign to a worksite arrives with the construction team. By using the right disinfectant materials, you and your contractor can make sure that bacteria doesn’t stay and make those who enter your building sick. If green cleaning, cleaning using sustainable products, is important to you, you or your professional cleaners should use cleaning products made for renovation cleaning that are eco-friendly.
Final Thoughts
While a contractor should clean up the worksite, it’s not a guarantee–or a sure thing that they’ll clean to your standards. Whether or not a contractor cleans, it’s always best to keep yourself informed on best cleaning practices. If in doubt about if a contractor will clean up, you can ask them about their post-project procedures before or after hiring them.
Carlton Building Services in Hampton Roads Virginia
Carlton Building Services specializes in repairs, maintenance, renovations, remodelings and build-outs for a variety of clients in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake areas. We have years of experience handling projects in the retail, office, and healthcare space and would love to work with you on your next project!
To learn more about our services, check out past project highlights or contact Carlton Building Services to see how we can help with your next project.
