How much does a rough clean cost per floor on a multi-storey build in Ottawa?

Rough cleaning costs on a multi-storey new build in Ottawa are typically calculated by total square footage rather than strictly by floor, but understanding the per-floor breakdown helps you budget accurately and evaluate contractor quotes with confidence.

Understanding Rough Clean Pricing on Multi-Storey Builds

For new residential construction in Ottawa, rough cleaning runs between $300 and $1,200 for the full project, but that range reflects smaller single-storey renovations on the low end and larger multi-storey new builds on the high end. For a proper multi-storey new build, you should think in terms of $0.50 to $0.85 per square foot for rough clean work specifically. On a typical two-storey Ottawa home with roughly 2,000 square feet of finished space, that puts your rough clean budget at $1,000 to $1,700 before any specialty services.

Breaking that down by floor gives you a useful planning number. A standard main floor of approximately 900 to 1,000 square feet will typically run $450 to $850 for rough cleaning. An upper floor of similar size comes in at roughly the same range, though upper floors can run slightly higher if stairwells and landings require extra attention or if debris needs to be carried down from height. A basement level, especially an unfinished or partially finished one, often runs $200 to $500 depending on whether concrete floors are being swept and vacuumed or if there is any finishing work present.

Several factors push Ottawa rough clean pricing higher on multi-storey builds specifically. Stairwells accumulate extraordinary amounts of construction dust — they act as vertical chimneys that collect drywall dust, sawdust, and debris from every floor above. Cleaning a stairwell properly on a three-storey build takes significantly more time than the square footage alone suggests. Ottawa's winter construction season makes this worse because the bone-dry indoor air during heating season — often dropping to 15 to 20 percent relative humidity — keeps fine drywall and concrete dust airborne far longer, meaning it settles into every horizontal surface on every floor repeatedly throughout the build.

From an Ontario regulatory standpoint, rough cleaning on a new build is not a one-time event. Trades will re-enter after rough clean to complete finishing work, meaning debris accumulates again before the final clean. Budget for at least two rough clean visits on a full multi-storey build — one after framing, mechanical, and insulation are complete, and one after drywall and painting before flooring goes in. Each visit is a separate cost, so your total rough clean spend across the full build could reach $1,500 to $2,500 before the final clean even begins.

Practically speaking, always ensure your rough clean quote specifies debris removal to an approved disposal site — Trail Road Landfill on Moodie Drive is Ottawa's primary construction waste destination. Some contractors quote labour only and leave debris sorting and hauling as a separate line item, which can add $200 to $600 to your total. Get at least three written quotes and ask each contractor to break down labour, disposal, and equipment costs separately so you can compare accurately.

Rough cleaning on a multi-storey build is not a DIY-appropriate task. The volume of construction debris, the presence of fine particulate that requires HEPA-rated vacuums to capture safely, and the physical demands of working across multiple levels with heavy equipment make this firmly in professional territory. If you are coordinating a new build or major multi-storey renovation in Ottawa, the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com lists cleaning contractors who handle new construction work — browsing there is a good starting point for gathering quotes and understanding what local contractors include in their rough clean scope.