Niche & specialty
Post-construction cleaning in Edmonton: what's actually included
Post-construction cleaning isn't the same as deep cleaning. The two-pass method, the drywall-dust problem, and what a $45/hour Edmonton crew should actually accomplish.
TL;DR
Post-construction cleaning in Edmonton uses a two-pass method — a rough pass to remove debris and the worst dust, then a fine pass 24+ hours later once airborne dust has settled. A two-person crew at $45 per cleaner per hour clears 1,500 sq ft of new finish in 8–12 hours total.
Post-construction is the most-misunderstood service category. Homeowners assume it's like a deep clean. It isn't — the dust is finer, more pervasive, and re-settles for days after the obvious mess is gone.
Why the two-pass method
Drywall dust is 1–10 microns and behaves like a gas. The first pass removes visible debris — sticker residue, paint flecks, foam pieces, packaging — but the air still contains suspended dust. Vacuuming and wiping while this is suspended is wasted effort; the dust will resettle within 24 hours and you'll see it again. The fine pass after the air settles is what produces actual cleanliness.
What's included in the two passes
- Pass one: Remove all packaging, foam, drop-cloths, paint flecks, sticker residue, paint splatter from windows. HEPA vacuum every surface from ceiling down. Wet-wipe major surfaces.
- Pass one: Clean inside cabinets and drawers (factory dust). Wipe inside oven, fridge, microwave (transit residue). Clean appliance exteriors.
- Pass two (24+ hours later): HEPA vacuum every surface again, including ceiling fans, vents and high ledges. Wet-wipe all horizontal surfaces. Polish every faucet and hardware.
- Pass two: Clean inside all light fixtures. Squeegee all windows inside (and outside if accessible). Wipe baseboards every linear foot. Polish all hard floors.
Edmonton-specific notes
Winter renovations are harder to clean because windows stay closed. Plan more passes if completion is December–March. Summer renovations let dust escape outside, so two passes typically suffice.
Frequently asked
- Why isn't $45 per hour cheap?
- Post-construction work requires HEPA-grade equipment, two trips, and physically harder labour. Honest Edmonton hourly rates for this work range $40–$60 per cleaner. Our $45/hour is in the lower-middle of that range — and we bring full HEPA equipment, not basic tools.
- Can my contractor's clean-up count?
- Sometimes. Most contractors do a 'broom-clean' final — that's pass-zero, not pass-one. A real post-construction service is the next step.
- How long after construction should I wait?
- At least 48 hours after final paint or final dust-producing work. Earlier and you'll just be cleaning again.
- Do you do small renovations like a bathroom?
- Yes — a single-bathroom renovation cleanup is 4–6 hours total and uses the same two-pass method.
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