Post-Construction Final Cleaning: What General Contractors in Madison Should Expect
What a final cleaning subcontractor should include under CSI 01 74 23, how to schedule it, and what should be excluded — written for GCs bidding in Dane County.
Final cleaning is usually the last trade on site and the first thing the owner notices at turnover. When it is scoped loosely, it turns into a punch-list fight. Here is how we scope it for general contractors in Madison and Dane County.
What final cleaning covers (01 74 23)
- Removal of construction dust from all horizontal and vertical surfaces, including ledges, sills and door frames
- Inside and outside of cabinets, drawers, closets and appliances
- Restroom fixtures, partitions, mirrors and tile
- Interior glass, plus exterior glass that can be reached safely from the ground, a balcony or a terrace
- Hard floors cleaned to the manufacturer's recommendation; carpets vacuumed
- Removal of labels, tape and protective film
What should be excluded (and stated in writing)
- Exterior glass that requires lifts, scaffolding or water-fed poles
- Pressure washing of facades
- Removal of construction debris that belongs to other trades
- Repair of pre-existing scratches or finish damage
Rough, final and touch-up: the three cleaning phases
- Rough clean — after framing, drywall and mechanicals: sweep and clear work areas so trades can keep moving. Debris removal and label removal belong in a written phase-specific scope; debris from other trades is excluded unless expressly included.
- Final clean — after paint and flooring: remove fine dust from surfaces, detail cabinets and drawers, clean fixtures, windows and tracks, appliances inside and out, and care for floors according to their material.
- Touch-up clean — just before walkthrough or handover: remove fingerprints and newly settled dust from HVAC startup, then make the last pass on glass and floors. Keep the scope written per phase to avoid double-billing.
How to schedule it
Plan for three moments: a rough clean once drywall and mechanicals are done, a final clean after paint and flooring, and a touch-up right before walkthrough. If a building turns over in phases, each phase is a separate mobilization — say how many are included in the base price so nobody argues later.
What to ask a cleaning sub before you carry their number
- Which addenda the proposal includes
- How many mobilizations are included
- Whether the crew are W-2 employees or 1099 subcontractors
- Certificate of insurance with additional insured, primary & non-contributory and waiver of subrogation
- Whether the price is held through completion
How IBS bids
We read the specs and drawings, measure the cleanable area, and send a written proposal within two business days that lists addenda, mobilizations and exclusions in plain language. Send bid documents to info@ibscleaningwi.com.