From interviews with general contractors:

I once had a final cleaning crew scratch a $10,000 pane of glass trying to remove a sticker with a razor blade. It delayed our turnover by a week and killed my margin. On the Cape and South Shore, the final 1% of the job—the cleaning—can make or break your punch list and your reputation. I need a cleaning partner who understands construction sequencing, protects expensive finishes, and works with my supers, not against them.

Scope / What to Lock Down

01

Three-Phase Approach: The scope must be broken down into three distinct phases:

1. Rough Clean: Removal of gross debris, scrap, and initial dust-down while other trades are still working.

2. Detail Clean: Top-to-bottom cleaning of all surfaces, including casework, fixtures, and glass, after major construction is complete.

3. Turnover/Punch-List Clean: A final wipe-down and vacuum to remove dust settled after the detail clean, performed just before the client walk-through.

• Finish Safety: The SOW must explicitly forbid the use of abrasive powders, harsh acids, and unprotected metal tools on finished surfaces.

• Glass & Adhesive Removal: Specify the exact methods for removing stickers, paint overspray, and silicone from windows and frames (e.g., plastic scrapers, approved solvents).

• Rework Clause: Define the process and cost for the cleaning crew to return and spot-clean areas after other trades perform punch-list work.

02

SLAs, KPIs & Proof (Inspection-Based)

KPIs: The most important metric is the First-Pass Punch-List Acceptance Rate (goal: >95% for all cleaning-related items). Other KPIs include Zero Incidents of Finish Damage and On-Time Phase Completion.

Sign-Offs: Each of the three cleaning phases must be formally signed off on by your site superintendent before the vendor moves to the next phase or submits an invoice.

Photo Documentation: The cleaning vendor should provide before-and-after photos for challenging tasks, such as adhesive removal from high-value surfaces, to document their methods and results.

03

Pricing Drivers (What Moves Cost Up/Down)

Square Footage & Ceiling Height: These are the basic inputs, with high ceilings requiring lifts and more labor time.

Finish Sensitivity: A project with extensive custom millwork, imported stone, and high-gloss surfaces will cost more to clean than one with standard VCT and painted drywall.

Glass Ratio & Lifts: The amount of interior and exterior glass to be cleaned, and the equipment needed to reach it, is a major cost driver.

Schedule Compression: Asking a cleaning crew to finish a 5-day job in 3 days to meet a deadline will require overtime and a significant budget increase.

Rework After Trades: The more your painters, electricians, and plumbers need to come back after the detail clean, the more you'll pay for re-cleaning their work areas.

Field Walk-Through Checklist

04

• Review the current project schedule and determine the hand-off dates for each cleaning phase.

• Inventory all high-value glass, noting any adhesive, paint, or silicone that needs removal.

• Identify all finish protection (floor coverings, plastic wrap) and clarify who is responsible for its removal.

• Confirm the availability and location of water, power, and a designated waste dumpster for the cleaning crew.

• Walk the site with the trade foremen to understand their remaining punch-list items.
  

Step Vendor Vetting

05

• Request references from at least three GCs they have worked with on the Cape or South Shore in the last 12 months.

• Ask for their written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for finish-safe cleaning, particularly for glass, stainless steel, and natural stone.

• Require them to demonstrate their glass/adhesive removal technique on a test pane or a low-visibility window on site.

• Review their staffing plan and their ability to surge labor to accommodate schedule compression.

• Verify their Certificate of Insurance (COI) and site safety plan, including lift certifications.
  

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

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