About Construction Cleaning Businesses

The construction process is a messy one. One has to contend with a large amount of dirt and mud when the ground is disturbed or excavated. Repaving of this ground is generally done at the very end of a project, so for the entire duration, mud is a constant presence. Once inside the buidling, the construction process generates a great deal of dust, dirt, and debris. This can be caused by workmen cutting materials and improperly disposing of scraps, packaging that is left on the job site, and simply from everyday wear and tear. Fortunately, there are cleaning companies that cater specifically to construction project sites, and offer a wide range of cleaning services to help get the project open for business.

History

When construction projects were smaller, it was a simple matter for the carpenters, plumbers, and other trademen to simply clean up behind themselves as they worked. The general contractor would simply use day laborers to clean up any final debris before the building opened to the public. Today, with projects in the million and billion-dollar range, there are so many different trades working at once that it is impossible to coordinate cleanup properly. To solve this problem, the general contractor or project owner will issue a specific contract to a cleaning company, who will clean up the site daily or before the end of the project.

Identification

A cleaning business that specializes in construction projects is very different than the average cleaning business. The staff must be trained in jobsite safety, and be taught how to avoid accidents. They will have to wear proper protective gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, and reflective vests to help minimize the chance of injury. Finally, they must be trained in basic construction principles and able to know what should be disposed of versus what materials should be left as they are.

Function

The purpose of these companies is to get a project to stop looking like a construction site and to start looking like a completed school, store, or office building. To do this, they must dispose of all unnecessary materials while thoroughly cleaning the space. The building process generates a tremendous amount of dust and dirt, so it requires heavy duty cleaning using professional tools. Construction cleaning companies may also be responsible for removing protective plastic and cardboard sheathing from equipment before the building is opened to the public.

Types

There are two major types of construction cleaning business. The first comes in at the very end of a project and simply cleans up, removing all trash and dust, so that the building can be turned over to the developer or owner. The second kind of cleaning company will be involved throughout the duration of the project. They may be responsible for keeping dumpsters emptied and replaced, as well as sorting out recycling. In addition, they will stay on top of the tradesmen daily to ensure they are keeping there materials stored neatly and cleaning up after their work. This type of company is very helpful to the project superintendent, who can then focus his attention on more important matters.

Time Frame

Towards the end of a construction project, the schedule becomes absolutely critical. All last-minute problems and tasks must be squeezed into a very tight time period. With the cleaning process being one of the very last to take place on the project, the cleaning crew is often forced to work extremely quickly. It is not uncommon to have the construction cleaning team work 24 hours a day during the last few days of the project to complete their work. Those considering entering this business should be aware of this and prepared to deal with tight deadlines.