How much does post-construction cleaning cost for a new daycare or school in Ottawa?

Post-construction cleaning for a new daycare or school in Ottawa can be more involved than a standard commercial clean because the space will be used by young children. As a rough perspective, quotes for a daycare-sized space can run somewhere around $1,500 to $4,000, while a full school building can run well beyond that depending on its size and the number of specialized areas involved. Ask for itemized written quotes for your actual building.

The extra care reflects who will be using the space. Licensed child care operators should check with the Ontario Ministry of Education and Ottawa Public Health about any standards that apply before opening. In practice, that often means every countertop, floor surface, washroom fixture, door handle, window ledge and play surface gets cleaned and then sanitized. Construction dust can be hazardous to breathe, and young children spend much of their day at floor level, so ask the cleaning company how it controls dust — HEPA vacuuming and, where needed, air scrubbing.

The work usually happens in two phases: a rough clean to remove bulk debris and heavy dust while final construction finishes are being completed, followed by a detailed final clean once all trades have left the building. For a daycare, ask whether the final clean uses low-VOC or child-safe cleaning products, since children will be in the space soon after.

HVAC duct cleaning is easy to overlook during post-construction cleanup. Construction dust trapped in the ductwork can recirculate every time the heating or cooling system runs, undoing surface cleaning work. Ask for duct cleaning to be quoted as a separate line so you can see what it adds. With Ottawa's long heating season, the system will be running for much of the year.

Before hiring a cleaning company for a daycare or school project, ask for proof of liability insurance and what it covers, and ask whether they have WSIB coverage or a clearance certificate. Ask specifically about their experience with childcare or educational facilities and which products they use in spaces where children will be present. Getting itemized written quotes from more than one company will help you compare options fairly. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com lists commercial cleaning contractors across the Ottawa region who can provide quotes for institutional projects like daycares and schools.

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

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Prism Services
• Dreamwood Construction & Renovations
• Dump n Dash Hauling