How do I prepare my newly built home in Riverside South for post-construction cleaning?

Preparing your newly built Riverside South home for post-construction cleaning involves a few key steps that will help the cleaning crew work efficiently and protect your new finishes from accidental damage. Good preparation can save the crew time and lead to better results, which matters when you are paying for every hour they spend on site.

Steps to Prepare Before the Cleaning Crew Arrives

First, make sure all construction trades have fully completed their work before scheduling the clean. Post-construction cleaning should be the absolute last step before move-in. If a plumber needs to come back to finish a fixture or an electrician has one more outlet to install, those tasks will generate new dust and debris that undoes the cleaning work. Coordinate with your builder to confirm that all punch list items are truly complete. Nothing wastes money faster than paying for a professional clean and then having a tradesperson track drywall dust through your freshly cleaned home the next day.

Remove all large construction debris and leftover materials from the home before the cleaning crew arrives. This includes scrap lumber, drywall offcuts, tile pieces, packaging materials, and any tools or supplies left by trades. The cleaning crew's job is to clean, not to haul out bulk construction waste, and many cleaning companies charge extra if they arrive to find the home still full of debris. Agree with your builder who is removing leftover materials and where they are going, and check with the City about what your regular garbage collection will take — the City's Trail Road landfill does not accept asbestos, hazardous waste, liquid waste or commercial garbage.

Ensure all utilities are fully operational. The cleaning crew needs running water for mopping, scrubbing, and steam cleaning, and electricity for HEPA vacuums, floor scrubbers, and air scrubbers. If your new build has not yet had utilities connected, this needs to happen before the cleaning appointment. Also ask the cleaning company whether they want the furnace or air conditioning turned off while they work, since running it during cleaning can circulate dust through the ductwork and back into the rooms being cleaned. Many crews run air scrubbers instead, which filter the air as they work.

Walk through the home and note any areas with delicate or freshly finished surfaces. Flag new hardwood floors that should not have heavy equipment dragged across them, recently painted walls that may not be fully cured, and new countertops that need non-abrasive products only. If your builder applied protective film to countertops, floors, or appliances, discuss with the cleaning crew whether to remove it before or after cleaning. Finally, confirm the scope of work in writing with your cleaning contractor, including whether windows, HVAC vent covers, inside cabinets, and exterior areas like the garage floor are included. Getting a few itemized written quotes from companies listed in the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com helps you compare equivalent scopes of work for your Riverside South clean.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• JC Carpentry
• Custom By Arie
• Renovo Construction
• Pure Flow Water Solutions inc.