If you just finished a build or major renovation in Greater Boston, you're staring at drywall dust, grout haze, tape residue, and floors full of fine debris. Before the walkthrough happens, someone has to make the space actually look like the finished product. That's post-construction cleaning — and the #1 question we get asked is: what does it cost?
The short answer: in Boston in 2026, post-construction cleaning runs $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot for a typical scope. A 2,000 sq ft new-build condo is $400-$800. A 15,000 sq ft commercial fit-out runs $3,000-$6,000. But the range is wide because scope matters more than square footage.
The standard pricing breakdown.
| Project type | Typical range | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Residential new build or full gut | $0.22-$0.35/sq ft | 2,500 sq ft home → $550-$875 |
| Kitchen / bath renovation | $400-$900 flat | ~200 sq ft kitchen with new cabinets |
| Condo / apartment (light) | $0.18-$0.28/sq ft | 1,200 sq ft 2BR → $220-$340 |
| Commercial office fit-out | $0.18-$0.30/sq ft | 8,000 sq ft → $1,440-$2,400 |
| Retail build-out | $0.25-$0.45/sq ft | 3,500 sq ft → $875-$1,575 |
| Medical / lab (clean-room grade) | $0.40-$0.75/sq ft | 2,000 sq ft suite → $800-$1,500 |
What drives the price up.
Square footage is the base, but these factors move the number up or down:
- Construction intensity. A fresh drywall-sand-paint project generates 3-5× more dust than a cosmetic remodel. More dust = longer HEPA vacuuming = higher cost.
- Ceiling height. 14-foot ceilings require scaffolding or extension poles. Expect +15-25% vs. standard 8-10 ft.
- Grout haze + tile work. Fresh tile installs mean grout haze on every tile — removing it without damaging the finish is skilled work. Adds $200-$600 depending on tile surface area.
- Windows. Post-construction window cleaning (interior AND exterior at street level) usually runs an extra $0.08-$0.15/sq ft of window.
- Scaffolding or lift access. If we need to rent equipment to reach exterior or high windows, that's a direct pass-through cost.
- Turnaround speed. 24-hour emergency turnaround: +25-40% surcharge. Same-day emergency: +50-75%.
- Location/parking. Back Bay and Beacon Hill parking is a nightmare — some crews charge $75-$150 for permit parking or meter time.
What's usually included.
A proper post-construction clean from a Boston crew like ours includes:
- HEPA vacuuming all surfaces (walls, trim, ceiling vents)
- Wipe-down of every wall, door, trim, baseboard, window frame
- Grout haze removal from all newly-installed tile
- Streak-free window cleaning, interior at minimum
- Kitchen and bathroom detail scrub (inside cabinets, appliance interiors, fixtures)
- Hardwood floor polish / tile floor deep clean
- Protective paper and tape removal
- Light fixture + recessed can detailing
- Final walkthrough with your project manager
What's usually extra.
- Carpet steam cleaning: $0.30-$0.50/sq ft
- Upholstery shampoo: $120-$250 per piece
- Exterior window cleaning (with or without scaffolding)
- Chandelier or specialty fixture detailing
- Debris hauling (we usually handle light debris; construction debris is separate)
- HVAC duct cleaning
How to get an accurate quote.
Square footage alone gives you a ballpark, but a firm number requires:
- Project type (residential / commercial / medical)
- Total finished square footage
- Number of bathrooms and kitchens
- Window count (and whether exterior access is needed)
- Ceiling height (or note if standard)
- Any tile, stone, or grout work
- Expected walkthrough date
Most Boston post-con crews — including us — will give you a written quote in under 2 hours with these inputs. We don't send quote-bait-and-switch "estimates" that go up on invoice day.
Boston-specific gotchas.
- MA wastewater compliance. Any crew pressure-washing floors or patios needs to capture runoff. Non-compliance = fines for the GC. If your cleaner can't tell you how they dispose of wastewater, that's a red flag.
- COI requirements. Most Boston property managers and large GCs require $2M GL + workers' comp on file before the crew sets foot on site. Confirm your cleaner can issue this same day.
- Historic preservation districts. Beacon Hill, South End, Back Bay — some chemicals aren't allowed on historic finishes. Make sure your cleaner knows.
Need a quote today?
Send us your sq ft, scope, and walkthrough date. Written quote back in 2 hours. COI same day if you need one.