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Simple steps to take before your team arrives so the visit runs smoothly and efficiently.
Renovation dust, post-construction residue, renovated kitchens and bathrooms, floor and surface residue, windows and tracks, vents, ledges, cabinets — detailed final cleanup before moving back in or using the space.
Serving Mississauga, Etobicoke, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington and selected Toronto neighbourhoods.
After-Renovation Cleaning is billed at $55 per labour hour per cleaner + HST. Standard and Premium use the same hourly rate. The packages differ by scope and level of detail.
A labour hour is one cleaner working for one hour. When multiple cleaners work simultaneously, labour hours accumulate faster — but the hourly rate per cleaner stays the same.
Example
4 cleaners × 5 hours onsite = 20 labour hours
20 labour hours × $55 = $1,100 before HST
You are paying for the total approved labour hours required for the work — not a flat fee regardless of time.
These are concrete planning examples — not guaranteed quotes. They show how total labour hours translate into team size, approximate on-site time, and planning cost at $55/hr.
1–2 bedrooms · 1–2 bathrooms · up to ~1,200 sq ft
3 bedrooms · 2.5 bathrooms · up to ~1,500 sq ft
~3 bedrooms · 3.5 bathrooms · ~2,500–3,500 sq ft
4+ bedrooms · 4+ bathrooms · large detached home
These are planning examples only. Every renovation project is different. Final labour depends on the actual renovation coverage, construction-dust level, surfaces, floor protection, residue, access, and any optional detail work.
One of the biggest variables is whether contractors protected the floors during renovation.
Other important factors include drywall and sanding dust density, paint and adhesive residue, protective film and tape, detailed window scope, and unusual construction residue.
What can increase After-Renovation cleaning time?Planning examples only — actual labour depends on condition, dust level, surfaces, and approved scope. All amounts before HST.
Maria Team is a professional cleaning team, not a solo cleaner. A typical team is usually 3 professionals. Larger or time-sensitive projects may use 4 or more team members where operationally appropriate.
20 labour hours could mean:
2 cleaners × 10 hours onsite
= 20 labour hours × $55 = $1,100
4 cleaners × 5 hours onsite
= 20 labour hours × $55 = $1,100
The labour requirement is still approximately 20 labour hours. The larger team simply compresses the onsite duration.
A larger team helps us finish the project faster. It does not create a higher hourly rate. You are paying for the total approved labour hours required for the work.
Two homes of the same size can require very different labour hours after renovation. Here is what makes a project take longer.
Important: Construction dust on new, clean surfaces is generally more predictable. Construction dust layered over existing grease, buildup, or older dirt can require substantially more labour because both conditions must be addressed. This is why estimates are ranges, not fixed prices.
The amount of cleaning depends heavily on which areas were renovated. A small bathroom renovation is very different from whole-home construction dust. Entire home, kitchen, bathrooms, basement, flooring, windows, or individual rooms — each scope creates a different cleaning challenge.
Construction dust on top of pre-existing buildup is more labour-intensive than construction dust alone. Existing kitchen cabinets may already have grease. Existing appliances may need degreasing in addition to dust removal. Existing bathrooms may have soap scum, limescale, or grout buildup underneath the new construction dust. New fixtures may have protective films, stickers, silicone, grout, or adhesive that requires careful removal.
If floors were properly protected during construction, cleaning mainly involves detailed vacuuming, dust removal, appropriate wet cleaning, and final finishing. If floors were left uncovered, workers may have walked construction dust, grit, and residue into the flooring — requiring multiple vacuuming passes, multiple wet-cleaning passes, manual spot detailing, and careful residue removal. One floor-cleaning pass can sometimes become two, three, or more depending on site condition.
Contractor tape, labels, stickers, and adhesive residue can significantly increase labour time. Green or blue construction tape, labels on glass, adhesive on floors, stickers on appliances, tape on frames or fixtures — this work is often manual and must be done carefully to avoid damaging new surfaces.
New tubs, showers, sinks, appliances, or other installed items may still have thin protective factory film. Sometimes contractors work over or around this film, leaving plaster, grout, drywall residue, paint, adhesive, or construction dust on top. Removing thin protective film safely can be slow and detailed — it is not always equivalent to a normal wipe-down.
Recently installed windows and frames may still have protective film, stickers, adhesive, installation residue, and construction dust in tracks and corners. If full film, sticker, and adhesive removal is expected, additional labour may be required.
Standard dust removal and detailed construction-residue removal are not always the same task. Common post-construction residues include paint spots, drywall compound, plaster, grout residue, cement residue, silicone or caulking residue, adhesive, contractor markings, stickers, tape, and protective film. Some residue requires careful manual work and material-safe techniques. We first consider the surface material and use an appropriate method to reduce the risk of scratching or damaging new finishes.
Additional detailed areas can materially change labour time: interior window glass, tracks, frames, screens, blinds, detailed light fixtures, vents, railings, doors, baseboards, cabinet interiors, appliance interiors, and high-detail bathrooms. This is why a square-foot-only estimate cannot perfectly predict every project.
For the most accurate planning range, send us clear photos or a short walkthrough video of the renovated areas. We especially want to see floors, kitchen, bathrooms, windows and tracks, new fixtures, stickers or tape, protective film, paint or plaster residue, and any areas with unusually heavy buildup. The photos do not need to be professional — we mainly need to see the condition of the surfaces and what the contractors left behind.
Your online estimate is a planning range. The final amount is based on the actual labour time used for the approved scope. If the team completes the work faster, you pay for less labour. If the real condition requires substantially more time than the preliminary estimate, Maria's Team communicates with you before continuing materially beyond the planned labour range.
Use the calculator to get started, or send photos for a tighter estimate.
Both levels are professional post-renovation cleaning services billed at the same hourly rate.
$55 per labour hour per cleaner + HST — for both Standard and Premium
$55/hr per cleaner + HST
For visible construction dust, priority areas, general surfaces, floors, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, accessible ledges — a practical professional reset.
Who it is for
Small to medium renovation, light to moderate dust, manageable condition — you want a professional reset while keeping total labour hours under control.
What it focuses on
Goal: Control total labour hours by limiting scope and detail to the most important areas.
$55/hr per cleaner + HST
For more complete finishing: hidden dust zones, repeated passes, detailed tracks, windows/screens, detailed cabinets, vents, fixtures, high areas where safe, fine-detail finishing, and final haze/streak checks.
Who it is for
Larger renovation, fine dust, persistent haze, hidden dust zones — you want the home to feel truly livable after renovation, not just quickly wiped down.
What it focuses on
Why Premium may cost more: Premium includes more scope and typically requires more labour hours — not a higher hourly rate. The $55/hr rate is the same for both packages.
Standard is for light renovation dust. Premium is for fine dust, hidden residue, and multi-pass finishing. Both at $55/hr per cleaner.
For after-renovation cleaning, proof matters more than long explanations. Watch real work from our team and hear from clients who hired Maria Team Cleaning.
The client left for vacation after renovation work and trusted Maria's Team with access, reference photos, and the full post-renovation cleaning plan. Our 4-person team removed construction dust, cleaned walls, windows, baseboards, doors, furniture and detail zones, then restored furniture and decor placement based on the client's photos.
Project Details
After renovation, cleaning is not just dusting. It is fine dust removal, surface-safe detail work, high areas, floors, windows, vents, walls, and the final reset that makes the home feel complete. The result comes from experience + teamwork + professional equipment + enough approved time + accountability.
The wow effect does not happen by accident. It comes from experience, teamwork, proper tools, enough approved time, and direct owner-led accountability.
Daily professional practice, surface awareness, and refined cleaning technique.
A trained team can divide work, sequence rooms, and deliver a more consistent result.
Commercial vacuums, steam/detailing tools, Kärcher equipment where appropriate, and task-specific tools for approved scope.
Standard, Premium, and By-Request items are explained so expectations are clear before booking.
Direct communication, owner-led planning, insured and bonded service, and real follow-up.
For clients who want the right team, clear scope, and the best result — not just the cheapest rate.
Scope by zone. Standard handles visible post-renovation dust and priority areas. Premium adds deeper dust zones, repeated passes, equipment, and finish-protection details where suitable.
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
By Request
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Typical After Renovation Focus
Premium Detail Adds
Steam, polish, and specialty products are selected based on surface type and condition. We do not use equipment or products where they may damage the finish.
Fine renovation dust requires the right order. Our process is designed to capture dust before the finishing pass.
Confirm renovation status and access
Review renovation type, dust level, surfaces, priorities, and team size before arrival.
Dry dust capture first
Vacuum floors, edges, baseboards, vents, ledges, and accessible surfaces before wet contact.
Multi-pass dust removal and detail cleaning
Microfiber wipe of trims, frames, doors, ledges, cabinets, and detail zones with clean cloth rotation.
Floor and surface finishing
Vacuum/mop sequence, steam where surface-safe, and floor-safe finishing products where appropriate.
Final team lead check
Team lead re-inspects glass, glossy surfaces, floors, and visible angles before leaving the property.
Pro tip: If duct cleaning is planned, completing it before this service can help reduce recirculating dust after our team finishes.
If the home needs light setup or finishing support after the dust cleanup, tell us what you need. We'll confirm what fits the scope before adding time or cost.
Popular custom requests
Scope limits: Not included unless separately approved: construction debris, hazardous materials, contractor waste, paint, chemicals, heavy junk, large furniture, or unsafe work.
We'll review your request and confirm time, cost, and scope before adding it.
Maria's Team Cleaning Company is a verified and professionally operated cleaning service — not a random freelance cleaner.
Google-Verified Business
Our company has a verified Google Business Profile and has completed the required Google verification process for eligible local service providers.
Background-Checked Team
Our cleaning team has completed the required background-check process connected with Google Local Services verification.
Insurance Verified
Maria's Team Cleaning Company carries valid liability insurance, with insurance documentation reviewed as part of the verification process.
Insured & Bonded
We are insured and bonded, giving clients extra protection and peace of mind when our team enters their home.
Real Client Proof
Clients can review our verified Google Business Profile, Google reviews, and 50+ real video testimonials from past clients.
Professional Team, Not a Random Cleaner
You are hiring an organized, accountable cleaning company with trained staff, scheduling, quality control, insurance, and owner-led standards.
Verify us independently:
Before the team arrives, we review the renovation type, dust level, property size, access, sensitive finishes, and priorities — so we send the right team, tools, and process.
Real answers to questions customers ask before booking post-renovation cleaning.
Tell us what changed in the home and what areas need attention. We'll help confirm whether you need a focused cleanup or a full after-renovation reset — at $55 per labour hour per cleaner.
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