So, you’ve just finished your construction job, but the job isn’t quite over yet. Guess what? There’s a huge mess left behind that must be cleaned up before you can say the job is done. Even working with the best general contractor crew, there is bound to be some leftover mess. This mess is inevitable with all the foot traffic coming in and out bringing in mud and all kinds of dirt, dust from all the tools you were using, plastic that needs to be removed, the list goes on.

If you plan to take on the cleaning job yourself, it could feel a little daunting and overwhelming at first. We’ve prepared a post-construction cleaning checklist made up of seven groups as a reminder of all the areas that need to be cleaned and what exactly needs to be done in those areas. If you were hired to just renovate the bathroom, for example, then you don’t need to worry about cleaning the garage. Use your judgement based on the job that was performed.

1. General Cleanup

The first area you need to focus on is the general cleanup. This could include hallways, offices, and spare rooms. The best way to get started is to bring in all of the cleaning supplies that you’ll be using and lay them out. If you have a crew, you’ll want to make sure you have enough for everyone. Next, divide the supplies up, decide who is going to take which room, and get to work.

Here is the checklist you’ll need for general cleanup:

  • Remove all of your tools and other renovation materials
  • Pick up all garbage and throw it away
  • Dust ceilings
  • Dust ceiling fans
  • Clean the walls with soap and warm water
  • Dust and clean the baseboards
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors
  • Vacuum the carpeting (if there is any)

The above post-construction cleaning checklist contains the common areas that people clean. However, there are also other parts of the construction site that require cleaning:

  • Dust and clean windows and doors
  • Clean light fixtures and lightbulbs
  • Clean inside cabinets and closets
  • Dust woodwork
  • Clean inside drawers (dust travels everywhere!)
  • Wipe down blinds

2. Porch/Driveway

Now that the general areas have been taken care of, it’s time to move onto the porch and driveway. Since the driveway and porch are the first things the homeowners will see when you unveil their renovations, it’s extra important to clean these areas well. It will also serve to set a good first impression and be indicative of what’s inside.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Vacuum and dust entryway
  • Clean doors
  • Clean windows
  • Sweep and wash porches
  • Clean exterior lights
  • Clean threshold
  • Pressure wash driveway

3. Bedrooms

If you renovated the bedrooms, you’ll have some cleaning work to do in there as well. This checklist is dependent on whether or not you’ll be moving the furniture back into place, so let’s say for the sake of this checklist that you’re also in charge of putting the furniture back in place. Here’s what you’ll need to do to clean the bedrooms:

  • Clean the walls with soap and warm water
  • Dust and clean the baseboards
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors
  • Wipe down the tops of dressers
  • Wipe down the tops of bookshelves, as well as the shelves
  • Clean mirrors
  • Clean inside closets
  • Wipe down blinds

4. Kitchen

Kitchens have lots of surfaces so you can imagine it will be a big job cleaning the kitchen after a renovation. It might be a good idea to get a couple of crew members in there to tackle this one together. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Clean the walls with soap and warm water
  • Dust and clean the baseboards
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors
  • Vacuum, dust, and clean shelving and drawers (inside and out)
  • Clean cabinet doors, tops of cabinets and glass
  • Clean countertops, sinks and backsplashes with soap and warm water
  • Wipe down appliances

5. Bathrooms

Bathrooms are smaller than most rooms, but the cleanup will still be extensive. Here’s your cleaning checklist for the bathrooms:

  • Clean toilets
  • Clean walls with soap and warm water
  • Wipe mirrors and glass
  • Dust all areas of the bathrooms
  • Vacuum, dust, and clean shelving, drawers, and cabinets (inside and out)
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors

6. Garage

The garage will be a big cleanup, so it’s recommended to get a few crew members working on it at the same time. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Vacuum, dust, and clean shelving, drawers, and cabinets (inside and out)
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors
  • Wipe down the utilities (furnace, water heater, and other utilities)

7. Laundry Room

Finally, we have the laundry room. This room shouldn’t take up too much time, but it’s still important to give it a good clean. Here’s what you’ll need to do for the laundry room:

  • Vacuum, dust, and clean shelving, drawers, and cabinets (inside and out)
  • Wipe down appliances
  • Sweep and vacuum the floors
  • Wash the floors

Seems like a lot doesn’t it? Just as renovating a house is a huge job, the cleanup afterward is intense too. If you find this is too much for you and your crew, consider calling in the professionals.