Key takeaways
- A builder clean is a start, not a finish: dust keeps settling for days after the crews leave.
- Check cabinets, window tracks, vents and garage entry at your walk-through.
- Perfect Services prices new-home cleaning after a free in-home estimate.
You got the keys to a brand-new house, and the first thing you notice is the smell of fresh paint. The second is a pale film on the countertops, which comes back an hour after you wipe it. That film is drywall dust, and it is the main reason new construction cleaning in Greer is worth thinking about before the furniture comes in.
Most builders include a basic clean at closing, and some do it well. But a quick sweep by the last crew is a different thing from a detailed pass for the people who will live there. Here is what to look for, and what to do about it.
Why a new house is not actually clean
Every trade that worked in your home left something. Framers leave sawdust, drywall crews leave fine powder, painters leave specks, and flooring installers leave adhesive and cut edges. Sanding drywall produces the finest dust of all, and it floats into HVAC vents, up onto ceiling fans and into the top of every cabinet. A broom does not pick it up.
If your builder ran the HVAC during the build, some of that dust ended up inside the ductwork and vent covers too. We do not service ductwork, but we wipe and vacuum every vent cover and register we can reach, which helps keep it from blowing back out when you start the system.
Your walk-through, with a cleaning eye
You will probably inspect for defects at closing: doors, outlets, appliances. Take two extra minutes to look at the cleaning too, and write down what you find.
- Inside cabinets and drawers: dust, wood shavings or tape
- Window tracks and sills: debris and paint specks
- Glass: sticker residue, smudges and paint on the edges
- Bathrooms: grout haze on tile, labels on fixtures, residue in tubs
- Garage entry and laundry room floors: red clay and dried adhesive
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans: construction dust on top
Raise obvious issues with your builder first. They may fix some of them. What remains is usually the fine detail work that a specialized crew is built for.
The order we work in a new home
Here is the sequence our team uses, and it works whether you hire us or do part of it yourself.
- Top first: ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.
- Walls, door frames, trim and switch plates, so dust falls onto surfaces we have not cleaned yet.
- Windows, glass, tracks and sills, with careful removal of paint specks and stickers.
- Kitchen cabinets and drawers, inside and out, then appliances and counters.
- Bathrooms: fixtures polished, tile wiped, grout haze removed.
- Floors last, vacuumed and washed in multiple passes.
- A quick walk-through under different light, because dust shows differently by a window than under a lamp.
That is the same approach we use in our post-construction cleaning service, and it is why a newer open floor plan with tall windows takes longer than people expect.
How much does new construction cleaning cost in Greer?
No two new homes need the same hours, so we explain the factors instead of quoting a number:
- Project size, in square feet and number of rooms
- Dust level, since heavy sanding leaves the most
- Windows and glass, where stickers and residue take time
- Whether you want a final clean only or a follow-up touch-up visit too
- Your move-in date, because a tight schedule may need more people
Perfect Services quotes only after a free in-home estimate, a short visit with no commitment. Call (864) 399-5168, text (864) 666-8520, or request one on the Greer post-construction cleaning page. The estimate form on our home page works too.
Timing it with your move
The best window is between the final inspection and the moving truck. Greer is close to I-85, SC-14 and US-29, which makes the commute easy for us from our home base, so scheduling the day before your move is usually realistic if you call a week or so ahead. If the house is a rebuild or addition rather than a full new build, you may be better served by the stages described in our post on cleaning up construction dust after a remodel in Greer. And once you are settled, a regular house cleaning visit keeps the dust from building back up.
If you have family nearby who are also looking at newer homes outside Greer, our team covers post-construction cleaning in Taylors as well. New homes in every town have the same pattern: nice finishes, hidden dust.
What a homeowner can do in the first week
Even after a professional pass, a few things help. Replace the HVAC filter once the work is done, since the first filter often fills quickly. Keep doormats at every entry to catch red clay. Wipe horizontal surfaces with a barely damp microfiber cloth rather than a dry duster, which just moves the powder around. And leave the stickers on new appliances until you are ready to use them, because the film protects stainless steel and glass during the move.
Dust will still show up for a week or so as it settles from the air. A light wipe of surfaces after the first few days takes care of most of it. Our crew is Brazilian-owned and works by hand, which suits a new home where finishes are delicate and nobody wants a scratch on the first day.
When the closing date is set, ask for a free estimate on new construction cleaning in Greer and we will plan around your move-in.
Get a free estimate in Greer, SC
Brazilian-style cleaning from a local Greer team. We visit, see the space and give you an exact price, with no commitment.
Frequently asked questions
My builder says the house is cleaned. Do I still need a clean?
Often yes. Builder cleans are usually quick and focus on debris. Fine drywall dust, window tracks, cabinet interiors and fixture residue usually need a more detailed pass.
When should I book new construction cleaning in Greer?
Between your final inspection and move-in day. Call about a week ahead if you can, so we can fit your date.
Does the cleaning include the inside of cabinets?
Yes. Inside cabinets, drawers and closets are part of our post-construction cleaning.
More answers in our house cleaning FAQ: post-construction cleaning →
