How Much Does Post-Construction Cleaning Cost in Denver?
What Denver-area homeowners and businesses pay to clean up after a remodel, new build, or retail/office build-out in 2026 — by property type, square footage, and cleaning phase.
Construction leaves behind more than a messy job site — fine drywall and concrete dust settles into every surface, cabinet, and vent for days after the last trade packs up. Nationally, residential post-construction cleaning runs about $0.25 per square foot, while commercial final cleaning for retail and office build-outs typically runs $0.30-$0.75 per square foot (HomeAdvisor, 2026; Ziva Cleaning, 2026). Here's how those national numbers translate for a Denver-metro home, retail space, or office, and where post-construction cleaning fits alongside a standard L&G clean.
Why Post-Construction Cleaning Costs Differ by Property Type
A single "post-construction cleaning" quote can mean very different jobs depending on what was built and who's opening the doors:
- Homes & remodels need dust removed from cabinets, vents, light fixtures, and every horizontal surface before a family moves back in — the cleaning has to be thorough but the space is usually empty of furniture, which keeps costs down.
- Retail build-outs often involve more glass, tile, and display fixtures that need a streak-free finish before customers walk through the door on opening day.
- Offices add carpet tile, glass partitions, and finished millwork that all need a detailed final pass before staff or clients arrive.
That mix of surfaces — and the pressure of a hard opening date — is why commercial post-construction cleaning generally costs more per square foot than a comparable residential job.
Residential Post-Construction Cleaning Costs in 2026
| Home Size | Typical Total Cost | Cost per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $50–$250 | $0.10–$0.50 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $100–$500 | $0.10–$0.50 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $200–$1,000 | $0.10–$0.50 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $300–$1,500 | $0.10–$0.50 |
Residential benchmarks from HomeAdvisor and Angi, 2026.
Most Denver-area homeowners land closer to the middle of that range, with an average total cost around $477 and labor making up roughly 90% of the bill (HomeAdvisor, 2026). L&G's own residential post-construction cleans typically run $300-$700 per visit, confirmed after we see the space in person.
Commercial, Retail & Office Post-Construction Cleaning Costs
Commercial build-outs are priced by square footage too, but the rates — and the total dollar figures — climb quickly with size:
| Space Size | Rough Clean | Final Clean | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small suite (~5,000 sq ft) | $500–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,750 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Medium space (~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+ |
Commercial benchmarks from Ziva Cleaning, 2026.
For most retail units and single-suite offices in the Denver metro, that puts the job in the $2,000-$5,000 range rather than the tens of thousands larger facilities see — and L&G quotes these per square foot after walking the space, the same way we price our commercial cleaning and office cleaning contracts.
Rough Clean vs. Final Clean: What's the Difference
Post-construction cleaning almost always happens in phases, and each one is priced differently:
- Rough clean — happens while trades are still finishing work; removes bulk debris, packaging, and heavy dust so painters, flooring crews, and electricians can do their jobs in a cleaner space. Typically $0.15-$0.40 per square foot.
- Detail/light clean — begins once major work wraps up; scrubs surfaces, wipes down fixtures, and pulls fine dust out of vents, corners, and window tracks.
- Final clean — the last pass before move-in, a client walkthrough, or opening day; polishes glass, buffs floors, and checks every surface for lingering dust or smudges. Typically $0.20-$0.75 per square foot depending on property type.
Phase breakdown from ServiceMaster Clean and rate ranges from HomeGuide, 2026.
Many contractors handle basic rough cleanup themselves during the build, then bring in a dedicated cleaning crew for the detail and final passes — which is where L&G typically starts.
What Determines Your Post-Construction Cleaning Price
- Property type — retail glass, office carpet tile, and commercial-grade flooring add labor time that a straightforward residential job doesn't have.
- Square footage — larger spaces get a better per-foot rate, but the total dollar cost still climbs with size.
- Dust & debris level — a full remodel with drywall dust everywhere costs more to clean than a light cosmetic refresh.
- Number of cleaning phases needed — booking only a final clean costs less than covering rough, detail, and final passes separately.
- Timeline pressure — a hard opening date or move-in deadline can mean a larger crew working in less time, which affects the quote.
When to Schedule Post-Construction Cleaning
Timing matters as much as price. Construction dust contains fine particles from drywall, concrete, and tile cutting that stay airborne for a day or two after work stops, so most pros recommend waiting 24-48 hours after the last trade leaves before the final clean (HomeAdvisor, 2026). As a rough guide, plan on about one hour of cleaning per 100-200 square feet, so a 2-4 person crew can typically finish a full-size home in 8-12 hours — commercial spaces scale up from there based on square footage and how many finish trades are still wrapping up nearby.
What L&G's Post-Construction Cleaning Includes
L&G handles post-construction cleaning for homes, offices, and retail spaces across Aurora and the Denver south metro, typically starting once the rough cleanup is done and finishing with a full detail pass:
- Complete dust removal from cabinets, vents, light fixtures, blinds, and baseboards
- Interior window and glass cleaning, including storefront glass for retail build-outs
- Floor cleaning and polishing across hardwood, tile, carpet, or commercial flooring
- Kitchen and bathroom detail cleaning, including inside cabinets and drawers
- A final walkthrough pass so the space is ready for move-in, a client visit, or opening day
Many clients pair a post-construction clean with a move-in cleaning for a new home, or fold it into an ongoing commercial cleaning or deep clean schedule once the business is open — L&G quotes the one-time build-out clean separately from any recurring service you set up afterward.
Post-Construction Cleaning FAQs
How much does post-construction cleaning cost in Denver?
Nationally, residential post-construction cleaning runs about $0.25 per square foot, so a typical 2,000 sq ft Denver-area home costs roughly $200-$1,000 depending on dust level and access. L&G's own residential post-construction jobs typically run $300-$700 per visit.
Is commercial post-construction cleaning more expensive than residential?
Yes, per square foot. Commercial final cleaning for retail and office build-outs typically runs $0.30-$0.75 per square foot versus about $0.25 per square foot for a residential final clean, because commercial spaces often involve more glass, hard flooring, and code-driven detail work before a business can open.
What's the difference between rough clean and final clean pricing?
Rough cleaning, which removes bulk debris and construction dust while trades are still finishing work, typically runs $0.15-$0.40 per square foot. Final cleaning, the detailed pass that makes a space move-in or open-ready, runs $0.20-$0.75 per square foot depending on whether it's a home or a commercial build-out.
How soon after construction should I schedule cleaning?
Wait 24-48 hours after the last trade leaves so airborne dust has time to settle before a final clean, then book your walkthrough or opening date around that window so the space is ready without needing a second pass.
Does L&G clean retail stores and offices after construction, not just homes?
Yes. L&G handles post-construction cleaning for homes, offices, and retail build-outs across the Denver south metro, with pricing quoted per square foot after we see the space and dust level in person.
Ready for Your Post-Construction Clean?
Whether it's a remodeled kitchen in Aurora, a retail build-out getting ready for opening day, or an office suite before your team moves in, get a free estimate for post-construction cleaning — online in 60 seconds or over the phone at (303) 944-4318. No deposit, no obligation, and your quote is confirmed before any work starts. Se habla español.
L&G Cleaning Services is family-owned and operated in Aurora, CO, serving homes and businesses across the Denver south metro.