How to Clean Up After a Renovation Project
Home remodelling projects usually produce a lot of waste. Weeks after the completion of such projects, homeowners don’t want to discover construction dust all over hard to reach places. In addition to being harmful to all the occupants of your home, including young ones and pets, it makes for an unappealing sight as well. This is why we’ve teamed up with Takumi Fuji from TAK Cleaning Services who is an after builders cleaning expert to give you a guide on reducing the resulting mess from your own remodelling project to avoid such issues. To learn more about how to tidy up after renovations, read on below.
Tidying Up After A Home Remodelling Project
Your contract is not obligated to clean up your home after the remodelling project is completed if it is not explicitly included in the contract agreement. Mopping, vacuuming and sweeping up substantial pieces of debris are the main steps included in the standard “broom swept” approach. Wet rags may also be used to wipe items down by some contractors. As a homeowner, you will likely be required to pay for anything beyond this, like cleaning up elevators and hallways and any other common areas, as they require additional arrangements in most cases.
Professional Construction Cleaning Services
After the application of the final layer of paint and the last drawer pull has been set in place, you will be required to plan for a comprehensive deep post construction cleaning, regardless of whether you stayed in the same house during the remodelling process or had moved out. On top of contracting one of the many professional cleaning services available, homeowners can conduct the deep cleaning process on their own. The level of effort required, and not the expanse of the space to be cleaned, determines the cost of the deep clean as shared by Thumbtack. While a 2,800 ft2 house could cost anywhere between 1,800 and 3,000 dollars, a 1,400 ft2 may cost between 900 and 1,500 dollars.
Clean Up After A Remodelling Project With This Step By Step Guide
The steps listed below are followed in a typical post-construction clean up:
- Walls, ceiling and all other surfaces should be swept and vacuumed
- Floors should be disinfected after being swept and mopped
- All upholstery should be vacuumed
- Any hardware, knobs, doors and baseboards should be wiped down
- All appliances, counters and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms should be wiped down thoroughly before being sanitized
- All sills, frames and any other interior surfaces on windows should be wiped, vacuumed and dusted down
- All lighting fixtures, blinds, ceiling fans, ducts and grates should be dusted
- Handles, hinges and any other related hardware should be cleaned as well
- Cabinets and shelves should be cleaned on the inside and outside
- All closets should be cleaned on the inside
- Even though the contractor should have removed most of the debris and trash as part of the contractual agreement, remove any remaining waste.
- Ask the following questions, to find out if it is best to contract professional service providers or handle the cleaning work on your own:
- How much time will the cleaning take?
- Do you have the time and energy to handle the cleaning work?
Is there any money left over from the remodelling work that you could channel towards the hiring of professional builders cleaners? If the remodelling work is yet to commence, consider including this amount from the start.
While a deep clean is essential, the person who ends up doing the job will be determined by different circumstances. Mould, silicates, toxins, very fine dust, spores, and other kinds of particles can be released into the air during remodelling projects creating a significant health risk. Furthermore, hazardous fumes are also given off by primers, lacquers and paints that have been freshly applied. The high cost of a professionally done deep clean may be justified given the potential health hazards you might face.
