Post-Construction Cleaning Cost Guide
Published on
December 19, 2025
Updated on
December 26, 2025
Post-construction commercial cleaning cost has a direct impact on how quickly a new or renovated space can open safely and professionally. Most commercial projects fall somewhere between a few hundred and several thousand dollars, depending largely on size, scope, and how detailed the final clean needs to be.
Understanding Post-Construction Cleaning Costs
Average Post-Construction Commercial Cleaning Cost
Post-construction commercial cleaning cost directly impacts how quickly a newly built or renovated workspace can open safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with health and safety standards. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), maintaining a clean and hazard-free environment is essential to reduce workplace injuries and ensure a safe handover after construction. Whether you’re completing an office build-out or a large industrial renovation, understanding cost factors helps teams budget realistically and plan effectively for final occupancy.
Average Post-Construction Commercial Cleaning Prices
Across the United States in 2025, post-construction cleaning costs typically range from $0.15 to $0.80 per square foot, with most commercial projects averaging between $0.30 and $0.75 for full final cleaning. For a small 5,000-square-foot suite, this usually translates to $1,500–$3,000, while large-scale facilities can reach $3,000–$5,000+ depending on project complexity and finish detail.
Commercial post-construction cleaning tends to have higher costs than residential work because of the increased square footage, ceiling heights, dust levels, and strict professional appearance standards. In high-cost regions or complex multi-phase builds, rates can exceed these averages, particularly when specialty cleaning or hazardous material handling is required.
Per-Square-Foot Rates vs. Project-Based Pricing
Most providers use per-square-foot rates as an early budgeting tool before refining their quotes into flat project-based pricing. Rates usually break down as follows:
Rough Clean: $0.10–$0.30 per sq ft
Final Clean: $0.30–$0.75 per sq ft
Touch-Up Clean: $0.10–$0.20 per sq ft
Once plans and site walks are completed, companies often convert these ranges into fixed project fees that reflect scheduling, site access, and cleaning scope. Hourly rates (typically $25–$75 per cleaner per hour) are sometimes used for smaller punch-list areas or partial re-cleans where conditions vary.
For detailed guidance on how these phases differ, see our blog on the difference between rough and final cleaning.
The Phases of Post-Construction Commercial Cleaning
Rough Clean: Debris and Initial Dust Control
Rough cleaning occurs once major construction ends but before all finishes are installed. It involves removing debris, leftover materials, dust, and packaging to prepare the site for inspections or final work by trades.
Costs average $0.10–$0.30 per square foot, depending on debris volume and equipment needs. Coordinating rough cleaning early can improve site safety, a recommendation emphasized in Ziva Cleaning Services' post-construction cleaning checklist.
Final Clean: Detailed Cleaning Before Handover
The final cleaning phase is the most extensive and time-intensive. It ensures every visible surface, fixture, and floor meets professional standards before occupancy.
This step commonly includes:
Thorough dusting of high and low surfaces
Cleaning of cabinetry, fixtures, and lighting
Window and glass detailing
Sanitizing kitchens, restrooms, and common areas
Final cleaning costs typically fall between $0.30–$0.75 per square foot, depending on the building type and finish level.
In the video below you can follow Eugenio taking us through the final steps of a post construction clean up of a Gravity Vault Rock Climbing Gym.
Touch-Up Clean: Last Pass Before Opening
After inspections or punch-list corrections, a light touch-up cleaning restores that “just finished” presentation. This last phase covers glass smudges, restroom refreshes, surface dusting, and small detail work — typically priced around $0.10–$0.20 per square foot.
Main Factors Affecting Post-Construction Cleaning Costs
Several key variables influence final pricing for commercial post-construction cleaning:
Project Size and Type:
Larger buildings with multiple floors or industrial layouts demand more labor, time, and equipment. A small retail unit may cost a few thousand dollars, while multi-tenant office complexes often reach tens of thousands.Level of Detail Required:
Projects with high-end finishes, open glass layouts, or medical-grade requirements have more detailed cleaning needs. For example, medical facilities and financial institutions expect visibly pristine results—a standard Ziva Cleaning Services regularly delivers in its specialty cleaning projects.Surface Materials and Finishes:
Glossy floors, high glass, or exposed ceilings require specialized tools and products to prevent damage. Our tile floor maintenance guide outlines care practices that also apply during post-construction cleanup.Hazardous Material or Safety Requirements:
If asbestos, lead dust, or chemical residues are present, separate remediation services are necessary. These safety concerns often affect pricing and scheduling flexibility.Location and Scheduling:
Urban settings with limited access or after-hours schedules often result in higher labor costs. Early coordination—preferably several weeks before completion—can prevent last-minute surcharges.
Typical Post-Construction Cleaning Budgets by Project Size
Project Type | Rough Clean | Final Clean | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Small commercial (5,000 sq ft) | $500–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,750 | $2,000–$5,000 |
Medium suite (20,000 sq ft) | $2,000–$6,000 | $6,000–$15,000 | $8,000–$21,000 |
Large facility (50,000+ sq ft) | $5,000–$15,000 | $15,000–$37,500+ | $20,000–$50,000+ |
These examples align with typical national rates and can be adjusted once material finishes and occupancy timelines are finalized.
Hourly vs. Flat Project Pricing
While some providers charge hourly for small or undefined scopes, flat project pricing remains most common for commercial post-construction work. Flat bids based on square footage provide contractors, property managers, and developers with clear predictability during budgeting and contract negotiations.
Ziva Cleaning Services: Transparent and Professional Post-Construction Cleaning
Ziva Cleaning Services provides detailed, phase-specific proposals that break down costs by rough, final, and touch-up cleaning. Each estimate reflects the project’s location, accessibility, and finish level while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
By combining technical expertise with proven checklists and cleaning sequences, Ziva supports seamless coordination with contractors and property managers. Teams ensure that the facility is launch ready—with construction dust, debris, and residue fully removed before handover.
Ziva Cleaning Services also offers insight-driven resources like the commercial cleaning pricing guide and the office cleaning cost breakdown to help clients budget effectively across every phase.
Plan Smarter with our Cleaning Expertise
Post-construction cleaning ensures safety, presentation, and operational readiness. Whether you’re midway through construction or scheduling your final clean, Ziva Cleaning Services brings the professionalism, reliability, and precision you need to open on time and within budget.
Contact Ziva Cleaning Services today to request a detailed post-construction cleaning quote and see how our process protects your investment from the ground up.
Frequently asked Questions
What is the average post-construction cleaning cost per square foot?
The average post-construction cleaning cost typically ranges from $0.15 to $0.80 per square foot, with many full final cleans landing around $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot. Your final price depends on the cleaning phase, finish level, and site conditions.
How much does post-construction cleaning cost for a 5,000 sq ft space?
For a 5,000sq ft space, post-construction cleaning cost often falls around $ 1,500 – $3,000 for a full final clean, with total project budgets commonly landing higher when rough and touch-up phases are included. The debris level and detail requirements can push the number up or down.
What’s included in commercial post-construction final cleaning?
Commercial post-construction final cleaning focuses on making the space ready for handover and occupancy by cleaning visible surfaces, fixtures, and floors to a professional standard. It commonly includes detailed dusting, glass cleaning, and restroom/kitchen sanitizing.
What are rough clean, final clean, and touch-up clean rates in post-construction cleaning?
Post-construction cleaning cost varies by phase because each stage has a different workload and purpose. Rough clean removes debris and heavy dust, final clean is detail-focused before occupancy, and touch-up clean restores presentation after punch-list work. - Rough clean: $0.10–$0.30 per sq ft - Final clean: $0.30–$0.75 per sq ft -Touch-up clean: $0.10–$0.20 per sq ft
Does post-construction cleaning include hazardous material removal like asbestos or lead dust?
Post-construction cleaning generally does not include hazardous material remediation, and those situations typically require separate, specialized services. If asbestos, lead dust, or chemical residues are suspected, the scope, compliance requirements, and scheduling will change, which can affect post-construction cleaning prices.
