You’re three days from a handover and the build still has drywall dust on every surface. The owner walkthrough is scheduled. Your cleaner — if you have one booked — needs to know exactly what they’re responsible for, what your team handles, and what the standard looks like.
This checklist is what we use on Vancouver Island projects. Use it as a baseline scope when you’re booking a post-construction cleaner.
Phase 1: Rough Clean (after drywall, before paint)
Best scheduled when the build is dust-tight but trades are still rotating in and out. Removes the bulk of construction debris so trades work in a cleaner environment.
- Vacuum all hard floors with HEPA-equipped equipment
- Remove visible drywall scraps, packaging, and trade refuse to GC dumpster
- Wipe down door frames, baseboards, electrical box covers
- Vacuum window frames + sills
- Light damp-mop of hard floors where finish allows
Phase 2: Final Clean (after paint, trim, fixtures)
This is the turnover-ready phase. The unit/space should leave this clean looking presentable for an owner walkthrough.
Kitchens
- Inside cabinets, drawers, pantry shelving
- Inside oven, microwave, dishwasher (interior + exterior)
- Range hood + filters
- Inside refrigerator if installed
- Countertops, backsplashes, sinks (polish stainless)
- Faucets + fixtures
Bathrooms
- Tubs, showers (remove construction tape, scrub grout, polish glass)
- Toilet interior + exterior + base
- Vanity + mirror + counter
- Fixtures + drains
- Exhaust fan grilles
Throughout
- All glass: interior windows, glass doors, mirrors, light fixtures
- Light fixtures (remove protective film, dust)
- Switch plates, outlet covers, thermostats wiped
- HVAC grilles + return air vents
- Floors: vacuum + appropriate finish-care (no harsh cleaners on engineered hardwood, etc.)
- Doors + door frames wiped, hardware polished
- Baseboards, casing, trim wiped clean
- Closet interiors (shelves, racks, floor)
- Spot-clean walls where construction marks are visible
What’s NOT included in standard post-construction cleaning
Most cleaners (us included) don’t include these in the base rate — discuss separately:
- Exterior window washing above ground-floor (boom-lift territory)
- Carpet steam-extraction or shampoo
- HVAC duct cleaning
- Heavy construction waste removal (rebar, scrap drywall by the cubic yard)
- Stain treatment on damaged surfaces
Documentation for handover
Ask your cleaner for timestamped before/after photos and a completed checklist. Hand both to the owner at walkthrough. Removes most “you missed X” debates because you have proof of work.
Book post-construction cleaning with Monarch
We work with general contractors across Vancouver Island — Nanaimo, Victoria, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Parksville. Multi-day projects get a dedicated crew. Free walkthroughs.
Call (250) 268-7111 or email [email protected].
Looking for service across Vancouver Island? See our Post-Construction Cleaning Services page or call (250) 268-7111 for a free estimate.
