Post-Construction Window Cleaning: A Homeowner's Guide

Whether you're moving into a new build, completing a major renovation, or wrapping up a commercial project, post-construction window cleaning is not the same service as a regular exterior clean. It's a specialty, and the wrong approach damages brand-new glass.

Why post-construction is a different service

A regular window clean removes dirt, dust, mineral deposits, and organic staining. A post-construction clean also has to remove:

• Paint overspray (latex and oil-based)
• Silicone caulk and sealant smears
• Construction adhesive residue from window stickers
• Drywall dust and joint compound splatter
• Stucco and parge-coat splatter
• Concrete slurry run-off
• Tape adhesive and packaging residue
• Handprint and boot-print oils
• Metal shavings from trim and flashing work

Each of these needs a different removal technique. Using the wrong approach — a razor blade on coated glass, for example — will permanently damage a brand-new window.

Post-construction cleaning phases

Rough clean (during construction)

Performed partway through construction, usually after drywall is up and painted but before finishes are installed. Protects subsequent trades from working around heavy debris. Typically a contractor-scheduled service.

Final clean (at substantial completion)

Performed after all trades are off-site but before homeowner move-in or tenant occupancy. This is the clean most homeowners experience. Includes:

• Interior and exterior glass cleaning
• Screen removal, cleaning, reinstallation
• Track and sill vacuum and wipe
• Frame wipe-down
• Removal of all temporary stickers, labels, and manufacturer decals
• Silicone and caulk smear removal
• Paint overspray removal

Touch-up clean (post-move-in)

Most new-build owners benefit from a second clean 4–6 weeks after move-in to catch residue that didn't show in the initial clean — particularly stucco splatter that wasn't visible until it dried in sunlight, and silicone residue that oxidised into visible haze.

What to ask a post-construction cleaning company

1. Are you insured for damage to new glass? Critical. New glass is expensive to replace and scratches easily.
2. Do you use plastic razors? Metal razors damage coatings (low-E, tinted, tempered). Plastic razors are the standard for post-construction.
3. Have you worked with the manufacturer of my windows before? Specific brands have specific film and coating sensitivities. Experience matters.
4. Do you include screen and track cleaning in the post-construction package? A lot of companies cut this to quote lower.
5. Who removes the exterior decals — you or the contractor? This is routinely an area of confusion. Clarify who's responsible for each item.
6. What's your approach to stucco and parge-coat residue? There are specific dissolution agents for these; a plain-water cleaner won't remove them.
7. Do you guarantee the work with a call-back window? 72 hours minimum is standard.

Common mistakes

1. Letting the builder's cleaning crew be the only pass. Contractor cleaners are typically janitorial — they'll do a rough pass but won't have the specialist tools for adhesive and paint removal.
2. Using metal razor blades on coated glass. Destroys low-E, tint, and mirrored coatings in seconds. Some tempered glass shows razor-scratch patterns only after sunlight hits it.
3. Rushing the interior clean before paint is fully cured. Fresh latex paint takes 2–4 weeks to cure; aggressive cleaning in that window leaves marks on painted trim.
4. Pressure washing as a shortcut for stucco residue. High pressure drives residue deeper into the finish and damages new stucco work.

Pricing context

• Single-family new build, standard size: $489–$1,189 for full post-construction clean
• Executive / custom home (4,000–8,000 sqft): $849–$2,389
• Renovation with 10–20 windows affected: $349–$849
• Commercial build-out (storefront, small office): $389–$1,489
• Multi-unit residential (condo tower common areas): quoted project-basis

Post-construction is always priced higher per-window than standard cleaning because of the time and specialist-technique requirements. A company that quotes you the same rate as regular cleaning either isn't doing the specialist work or doesn't know the scope.

Scheduling notes

Post-construction cleaning should always be scheduled after final punch-list completion, not during. Every additional trade on-site after the clean creates re-work. If multiple trades are still finishing, ask the GC to sequence a single post-completion clean after everyone's done.

For Muskoka custom builds, we typically schedule post-construction cleans May through October (when access is reliable). For GTA properties, we schedule year-round.