What Is Post Construction Cleaning?
Post construction cleaning — also called post renovation cleaning, builder's clean, or construction cleanup — is the professional removal of construction dust, debris, adhesive residue, and particulate left behind after any renovation or new build. It is categorically different from a deep clean, and attempting to substitute one for the other consistently produces poor results.
The difference comes down to what construction work actually deposits in a home. Drywall work generates calcium sulfate dihydrate particles that are 0.5–5 microns in size — fine enough to pass through standard vacuum filters, settle on every horizontal surface, and recirculate through HVAC systems for weeks if not removed with HEPA-rated equipment. Tile work leaves grout haze that requires specific solvents. New construction leaves factory protective film on appliances, adhesive residue on windows, and sawdust in areas that a mop and bucket won't touch.
Post Construction Cleaning Prices in BC — 2026
| Property Type | Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Single bathroom renovation | From $199 |
| Single kitchen renovation | From $249 |
| Condo / apartment under 800 sq ft | From $299 |
| Condo 800–1,200 sq ft | From $399 |
| Townhome 1,200–1,800 sq ft | From $549 |
| Detached home renovation 1,800–2,500 sq ft | From $749 |
| Detached home renovation 2,500–3,500 sq ft | From $999 |
| New build under 2,000 sq ft | From $799 |
| New build 2,000–3,500 sq ft | From $1,199 |
| Multi-unit or large commercial project | Custom quote — hello@maidless.ca |
All prices include GST. Prices vary based on the extent of the renovation and the amount of dust present. A kitchen-only renovation in an otherwise clean home is a different scope than a full gut-and-rebuild that's been open to drywall dust for months.
Why Post Construction Cleaning Is Different From a Deep Clean
Equipment
Post construction cleaning requires HEPA-filter vacuums — equipment that captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. Standard residential vacuums (including most commercial units) recirculate fine construction dust back into the air. You can tell when a post-construction "clean" was done with non-HEPA equipment: surfaces look clean immediately after, then develop a fine white or grey film within 24 hours as resettled particles are disturbed by movement.
Sequence
Post construction cleaning must proceed ceiling to floor, room by room, with HEPA vacuuming before any wiping or mopping. Wiping a dusty surface before HEPA-vacuuming spreads dust and embeds it into porous surfaces. The correct sequence is: dry HEPA vacuum → wipe → mop. This sequence must be followed in every room before moving to the next.
Products
Construction residue requires specific products that residential cleaning doesn't use:
- Grout haze on new tile requires acidic grout haze remover — regular neutral cleaners won't remove it
- Adhesive residue on windows and frames requires solvent — water won't touch it
- Factory protective film on appliances requires specific film removers that don't scratch
- Paint overspray on hardware and fixtures requires careful chemical or mechanical removal
What's Included in a BC Post Construction Clean
- HEPA-vacuum all surfaces ceiling to floor — every room, before any wiping
- All windows and glass — adhesive film, paint overspray, stickers fully removed
- Window sills and complete window tracks — construction dust settles heavily here
- All light fixtures — pot lights, pendants, sconces wiped inside and out
- All accessible HVAC vents — vacuumed of loose construction dust
- All cabinets and drawers — inside and out, including new cabinet interiors
- New appliances — factory film and all protective stickers removed, interior wiped
- Grout haze removal on new tile (surface-level — not mechanical grout removal)
- All floors — HEPA-vacuumed then mopped with appropriate product for floor type
- All bathrooms — new fixtures and grout fully sanitized
- Walls wiped and baseboards cleaned
- Before-and-after photos on every job
- GST receipt with business number for project documentation
When to Schedule Post Construction Cleaning in BC
Schedule the post construction clean after all trades are fully finished and the site has been rough-swept by your contractor. We handle fine dust removal and detail work — not heavy debris, demo materials, or garbage. If rough material (drywall offcuts, lumber, construction packaging) is still on site, it should be cleared before we arrive.
For new builds, schedule 1–3 days before possession day. This gives settling dust a chance to land after the final trades, and ensures the property is genuinely clean on possession day rather than having been cleaned days earlier while trades were still working.
For occupied home renovations (single room renovations while you're living in the home), we can work on weekends or evenings and clean around occupied areas.
The HEPA Vacuum Standard — What It Means
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. A true HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. Drywall dust particles range from 0.5 to 10 microns — squarely in the HEPA capture range, and well above what standard vacuum filtration handles. This matters because:
- Standard vacuums recirculate fine particles back into the air (you can see this as a haze in sunlight during vacuuming)
- Recirculated drywall dust re-settles on surfaces within hours, undoing the cleaning work
- Inhaled silica and gypsum dust (from drywall) is a respiratory irritant — HEPA filtration protects both your family and our crew
- Fine particles that reach your HVAC system circulate through the building indefinitely until professionally removed
Post Construction Cleaning Across BC
- Post construction cleaning Vancouver — from $299
- Post construction cleaning North Vancouver — from $299
- Post construction cleaning West Vancouver — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Burnaby — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Surrey — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Richmond — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Coquitlam — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Langley — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Abbotsford — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Kelowna — from $299
- Post construction cleaning Victoria — from $299
FAQ — Post Construction Cleaning BC
Can I just do a deep clean instead of a post construction clean after my renovation?
No — not effectively. A deep clean uses standard residential vacuums that don't capture fine construction particles, and standard cleaning products that don't remove construction-specific residue like grout haze, adhesive, or factory film. The result looks clean briefly, then re-develops a fine construction dust film as particles resettle. For genuine post-renovation cleanliness, a post construction clean with HEPA equipment is the only effective option.
Do I need a post construction clean if my contractor swept the site?
Yes. A contractor sweep removes large debris — drywall chunks, lumber offcuts, visible dust piles. It does not remove the fine drywall particulate (0.5–5 microns) that has settled on every horizontal surface, inside every light fixture, and in every HVAC vent. A professional post construction clean is what happens after the contractor sweep.
How far in advance should I book post construction cleaning in BC?
48–72 hours for most locations. For large new builds (3,500+ sq ft) or multi-unit projects, 5–7 days ahead is recommended to guarantee your preferred date and appropriate crew size. Don't wait until possession day to book — schedule as soon as your contractor confirms a completion date.
Do you work with general contractors and developers in BC?
Yes. We work with GCs, developers, and property managers on both one-off post construction cleans and ongoing new build projects throughout BC. We provide certificates of insurance, before-and-after photos, and formal GST receipts (GST #719919433 RT 0001). Email hello@maidless.ca to discuss volume projects or recurring contractor relationships.