How much should I budget for post-construction cleaning on a 1,500 square foot renovation?

For a 1,500-square-foot renovation in Ottawa, quotes for post-construction cleaning can run roughly $750 to $2,250, so that is a reasonable range to start budgeting from until you have real quotes. The total depends heavily on the type of renovation — a cosmetic refresh with new paint and flooring requires far less cleanup than a full gut renovation that involved drywall demolition, framing changes, and new plumbing or electrical rough-ins.

Budgeting by Renovation Type and Scope

If your 1,500-square-foot renovation was a partial project such as a kitchen and bathroom remodel where the rest of the home was sealed off with plastic barriers, expect the post-construction clean to cost less than a whole-home job. A whole-home renovation at that square footage — where walls were opened, drywall was installed throughout, and multiple trades were working in every room — pushes the budget higher because construction dust can get into every corner, closet, and vent in the home.

A smart approach is to budget your post-construction cleaning in phases. The rough clean, done while construction is wrapping up, handles bulk debris removal, heavy dust collection, and general sweeping. The final clean is the detailed, move-in-ready deep clean that follows. Some renovation projects also need a touch-up clean after any final punch-list work is completed. Ask each cleaning company to price these phases as separate lines so you can see what you are paying for.

Also ask about the ductwork if your renovation involved drywall work, sanding, or demolition. Construction dust that gets into the ducts can be recirculated when your heating or cooling system runs, undoing your surface cleaning. Ask your contractor or an HVAC company whether your ducts need attention and get that priced separately.

One practical budgeting tip is to add post-construction cleaning as a line item in your renovation budget from the start, rather than finding the money at the end. Getting several itemized written quotes before construction even begins helps you plan accurately. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com lists cleaning companies in the Ottawa area who can provide estimates based on your specific renovation scope.

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

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• JC Carpentry
• Eastern Residential Solution
• MAK Construction and Development Inc
• Vanguard Environmental