Contractors, builders and homeowners ask the same question at the end of a project: what does post-construction cleaning cost per square foot? The honest answer is that it depends on the level of clean, and the per square foot number drops as the space gets bigger. Every Kind Cleaning prices post-construction cleaning in three levels, and the calculator on our post-construction cleaning page shows all three the moment you enter a square footage. Here are the real numbers.
The Three Levels of Post-Construction Cleaning
- Level 1, Rough Clean: spot dusting of high and top surfaces, spot check dusting of walls and corners, spot wipe of cabinet exteriors, light wipe of door frames and trim, sweep and mop. The clean between trades or before the punch list.
- Level 2, Standard Clean: everything in Level 1, plus dusted ceilings, HEPA vacuumed and wiped walls, wiped cabinet exteriors, a quick wipe of windows and frames, baseboards and trim, sweep and steam mop, and general cleaning of bathrooms and surfaces.
- Level 3, Move-In Ready: everything in Level 2, plus vents and ceiling fans, HEPA vacuum and wipe of all walls, corners and edges, cabinet interiors if empty, deep cleaned windows, frames and sills, deep cleaned baseboards and trim, HEPA vacuumed floors before steam mopping, and inside ovens and fridges.
Real Prices by Square Footage
From the calculator on our site. Level 1 has a $400 minimum and Level 3 has an $800 minimum, which is why the smallest projects carry the highest per square foot cost.
| Project size | Level 1 Rough | Level 2 Standard | Level 3 Move-In Ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 sq ft (bathroom and kitchen remodel) | $400 | $550 | $800 |
| 1,000 sq ft (condo or addition) | $500 | $650 | $900 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $650 | $800 | $1,150 |
| 2,000 sq ft (whole house remodel) | $750 | $900 | $1,400 |
| 3,000 sq ft (new build) | $1,000 | $1,150 | $1,900 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $1,250 | $1,400 | $2,400 |
So What Is the Cost Per Square Foot?
Working it back from the table, a Level 1 rough clean runs about 31 to 50 cents per square foot on projects from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet, Level 2 about 35 to 65 cents, and a Level 3 move-in ready clean about 60 to 90 cents. Small jobs sit above those ranges because of the minimums. A 600 square foot remodel at Level 3 is $800, which is $1.33 per square foot, because there is a fixed amount of setup, equipment and detail work no matter how small the space.
The reason the per square foot number falls on bigger projects is simple: the first hour of a post-construction clean is the same whether the house is 1,000 or 3,000 square feet. Loading in, protecting finished surfaces, setting up HEPA vacuums and working top to bottom so dust does not resettle on clean surfaces all cost the same.
What Pushes a Job Outside the Calculator
- Spaces over 10,000 square feet, or commercial build-outs with special hours
- Heavy debris removal that goes beyond packaging, scraps and light construction debris
- Grout haze, paint overspray or adhesive on large areas
- Multiple visits: a rough clean between trades, a final clean and a touch-up before move-in or listing photos
For those, book the $500 post-construction deposit on our booking page. It holds the date and we quote the job from photos, plans or a walkthrough.
How to Get the Best Price
Pick the level that matches where the project is. If the painters are still coming back, a Level 1 rough clean now and a Level 3 at the end costs less than two Level 3 cleans. Have the trades remove their own tools and large debris so our time goes into dust. And give us the real square footage from the plans, since the calculator prices on that number.
Price Your Post-Construction Clean
Enter the square footage on the post-construction cleaning page and all three levels show up with a price and a Book button. Beverly based, serving contractors and homeowners across the North Shore.
Post-Construction Cleaning Cost FAQs
How much does post-construction cleaning cost per square foot?
On the North Shore, about 31 to 50 cents per square foot for a rough clean, 35 to 65 cents for a standard clean, and 60 to 90 cents for a move-in ready clean on projects between 1,000 and 4,000 square feet. Smaller projects are priced from a $400 minimum (Level 1) or $800 minimum (Level 3).
What does a 2,000 square foot post-construction clean cost?
From our calculator: $750 for a Level 1 rough clean, $900 for Level 2 and $1,400 for a Level 3 move-in ready clean.
Is there a minimum charge?
Yes. Level 1 starts at $400, Level 2 is always $150 above Level 1, and Level 3 starts at $800.
Do you work with contractors and builders?
Yes. We schedule around punch lists, inspections and closing dates, and we can do a rough clean between trades and a final clean once the work is done.
What if my project is bigger or messier than usual?
Book the $500 post-construction deposit. It reserves your date and we quote the job from photos, plans or a walkthrough.
Where we work: Every Kind Cleaning is based in Beverly and cleans homes and businesses in Salem, Danvers, Peabody, Marblehead, Swampscott, Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Wakefield, Newburyport and across the North Shore. Read our customer reviews or book online.