Statewide
How general contractors should scope post-construction cleaning
Construction cleaning is one of the last scopes bought and the first one blamed when a turnover goes badly. A scope written in twenty minutes, before bids go out, removes almost all of that risk. This is the framework we ask general contractors and project managers to use — with us or with anyone else.
7 min read · Updated August 2026
1. Define the phases and their triggers
Tie each cleaning phase to a construction milestone rather than a calendar date, because the calendar will move and the milestone will not.
- Rough clean — triggered at completion of drywall and rough-in
- Final clean — triggered at substantial completion of finishes
- Touch-up — triggered 24 to 48 hours before the owner walk or occupancy
2. State what is in and what is out
Ambiguity here is where change orders live. Every item below should be explicitly in or out.
- Interior glass, exterior glass, and whether lifts or ladders are required
- Casework interiors, appliance interiors and equipment surfaces
- Light fixtures, lenses, diffusers, ductwork and exposed structure
- Floor treatment — vacuum and mop, auto-scrub, initial seal or wax
- Debris haul-off versus dumpster use
- Exterior walks, entries, dock areas and parking-lot policing
3. Describe the site conditions the cleaner is bidding against
Cleaning crews price risk when conditions are unknown. Telling them the truth up front produces a lower, more accurate number.
- Whether permanent power, water, lighting and HVAC will be running
- Elevator, hoist and loading-dock availability
- Working hours, noise restrictions and badge or orientation requirements
- Whether other trades will be working during the clean
- Parking, staging and equipment storage
4. Require the documentation before award
Post-construction cleaning carries real liability — damaged finishes, glass scratching, chemical use on new surfaces. Vet it like any other subcontract.
- Certificate of insurance naming your entity and the project
- Workers' compensation coverage confirmed
- Named project contact and stated response window
- Safety program acknowledgment and site-specific orientation
- References from comparable project types, not just square footage
5. Close it out with a sign-off
A short walk with the superintendent at the end of each phase, initialed, ends the 'this was never cleaned' conversation before it starts. It also gives the cleaning contractor a fair chance to correct something the same day instead of remobilizing.
Frequently asked
When should we buy out the cleaning scope?
Early — ideally when finishes are bought out. Cleaning contractors schedule crews weeks ahead, and late buyout is the main reason a date cannot be held.
Should cleaning be bid per square foot or lump sum?
Lump sum against a clear phase-by-phase scope is easiest to manage. Per-square-foot pricing is useful when the area is still changing.
What if the schedule compresses?
Tell the cleaning contractor immediately. Compression is solved with crew size, and crew size takes lead time to arrange.
Do you work with GCs on multiple concurrent projects?
Yes. We keep a standing scope template, unit pricing and insurance documentation on file so each new project starts from a phone call and a set of plans.
Ready for a property partner that shows up?
Tell us what your building needs. We'll walk it, scope it, and give you a fixed price.