Post-Renovation Cleaning in Chicago

Why this is not a deep clean or a move-in clean

A deep clean is for a lived-in home that has gone too long between visits. A move-in or move-out clean is for an empty home and includes oven, fridge, cabinet and drawer interiors. Post-renovation work starts from construction residue: dust on every horizontal surface, grit in corners and powder where saws and sanders threw it.

If you also want a move-in clean after the renovation dust is gone, say so when you book. They can be combined in one visit when rooms are empty enough to reach.

What the visit covers

• Dust and wipe reachable surfaces, windowsills, window tracks, door frames, switch plates, outlets and baseboards
• Vacuum carpets and rugs, including edges, then mop hard floors
• Clean kitchens and bathrooms using the tasks on our deep-clean checklist
• Wipe cabinets inside and out if they are empty enough to reach, and clean inside appliances left in the space if you want that included
• Clean interior windows, mirrors and fixtures we can reach from the floor or a step stool
• Spot-clean doors and reachable dusty handprints
• Up to two trash bags removed at no extra charge

Extras: floor scrubbing and polishing is a four-step service at $85 per room for hardwood, tile and vinyl (adjustable for three or more rooms; nobody should walk on the floors for one to two hours afterward). Tile and grout cleaning, carpet shampoo and green cleaning can also be added. See the extras page.

What we do not do

We do not haul contractor debris, leftover boards, tile or plastic sheeting. Other limits:

• Move furniture. We are cleaners, not movers.
• Organize. We clean; we do not sort or put things away.
• Pull items out to clean underneath when there is too much in the way.
• Fold clothes that are spread around the home.
• Climb to hard-to-reach areas. For safety we work from the floor or a step stool.
• Wash dishes or do laundry, unless that work is added to the bill.
• Clean inside a dishwasher, except a quick wipe of the inside of the door if you ask.
• Clean inside a washer or dryer unless you ask. We can dust the outside.
• Clean windows from the outside, or touch television screens and computer equipment.
• Haul leftover moving boxes, construction debris or large piles of trash. Up to two trash bags are removed at no extra charge.

How to prepare

1. Finish the construction work. Paint should be dry; sawing, sanding and demolition done. If a room is still a work zone, tell us so we can skip it or reschedule.
2. Have debris removed first. Boards, leftover tile, plastic sheeting and piles of trash should be out.
3. Empty what you want cleaned inside, such as cabinets, closets and appliances.
4. Make sure water and power are on.
5. Arrange access and parking. Renovation sites often have temporary lockboxes or a superintendent.
6. Tell us about new floors and stone. If the contractor gave a wait time before wet mopping or a product to avoid, send that note with the booking.

Pricing, payment and recleans

Pricing depends on square footage, how empty the space is, how heavy the dust is and which extras you add. Residential bookings show a price online; workplaces are quoted after a walk-through.

Payment is taken after the cleaning, once you have had the chance to check the work. We accept Zelle, Venmo, and debit or credit cards. Card payments include a 3% fee. We do not accept cash.

If you are home, our crew will ask you to look the work over before they leave. If you notice something we missed after the crew has gone, you have 24 hours to request a reclean at no charge. That applies to every job.

We need 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule without a fee.

Frequently asked questions