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Every construction project ends the same way. The work is done, the inspector is booked, the owner wants the keys, and the space is still covered in drywall dust.
That last stretch is where a lot of projects lose time. And it's where the right post-construction cleaning company in San Diego earns its keep.
At The Cavalry Cleaning Company, post-construction cleaning is one of the two things we specialize in. Here's what that looks like in practice, and why San Diego's top residential builders and commercial general contractors keep calling us back.
What Post-Construction Cleaning Actually Involves
Post-construction cleaning isn't a regular cleaning with more effort. It's its own job, with its own checklist.
Fine dust settles into places most people never look: inside cabinets, on top of door frames, in light fixtures, in HVAC registers and window tracks. Paint overspray, adhesive and sticker residue all need the right tools and products to remove without damaging brand-new finishes.
A typical Cavalry post-construction scope includes:
Why San Diego Builders Choose Cavalry
1. We're easy to schedule, because we have a large team
The final clean usually gets booked last and needed yesterday. Because Cavalry runs a large team, we can staff a job quickly, put a full crew on a tight turnaround, and cover several projects at once. You don't have to wait weeks for an open slot.
2. We show up when we said we would
Most of the complaints we hear about cleaning vendors have nothing to do with cleaning. It's the crew that didn't show. The callback that never came. The schedule that slipped the day before an inspection.
Reliability is the whole job. We confirm the schedule, we communicate if anything changes, and we finish when we said we would.
3. We work around your timeline, not the other way around
Construction schedules move. Trades run long. Inspections get pushed. We build in flexibility, including early-morning, evening and weekend work, so the final clean doesn't become the thing holding up your handover.
4. Licensed, bonded and veteran-owned
Cavalry was founded in 2022 by Warren Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran. That background shows up less in how we talk and more in how we work: clear expectations, a defined standard for what "done" looks like, and crews who take ownership of the result.
We're a licensed contractor (CA License #1123172), bonded and insured, so we can be onboarded as a subcontractor without delays.
5. Trusted by San Diego's top residential builders
Cavalry is trusted by San Diego's leading residential general contractors: builders of large homes with high-end finishes, on schedules that leave no room for delay. These projects need a crew that can move fast without cutting corners, and that's the work we're built for.
6. Built for complex commercial projects, including prevailing wage
On the commercial side, we take on the most complex projects: public works, prevailing wage jobs, multi-phase builds and tight turnover schedules. We handle prevailing wage requirements and certified payroll, so your compliance paperwork is right the first time.
We also offer specialty cleaning in-house, so you don't need to hire separate vendors:
7. We protect the finishes you just paid for
New construction is full of surfaces that are easy to scratch, stain or etch: natural stone, specialty glass, matte fixtures, fresh hardwood. Before we mobilize, we research the materials on every project, looking up the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures and approved products for each finish. Our crews arrive knowing exactly what to use on each surface, because a cleaning company should never create a punch-list item.
Where We Work
We serve projects throughout San Diego County, including downtown San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Chula Vista, Escondido, El Cajon, Santee and the surrounding communities.
What Our Clients Say
"We brought in Cavalry Cleaning for a rough post-construction clean and window cleaning on one of our commercial multi-family projects in San Diego, and they absolutely delivered. Their team was efficient, detail-oriented, and easy to work with from start to finish. Julia was especially great—communicative, responsive, and on top of every detail. The site was left clean, organized, and ready for the next phase without any delays. We’ll definitely be working with Cavalry again on future construction cleaning projects"
The Vendor You Don't Have to Think About
The best compliment we get from a contractor isn't "great job." It's when they stop checking on us.
That's the goal on every project. You hand us the space, and you get back a property that's ready for the walkthrough, the tenant, or the owner. No reminders. No follow-ups. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does post-construction cleaning cost in San Diego?
Pricing is based on square footage, the type and complexity of the project (ceiling height, types of finishes and how dirty the project is), and how many cleaning phases you need. Commercial projects are quoted based on the construction plans and after a site walk. We provide a clear Scope of Work and price before any work starts.
When should I schedule post-construction cleaning?
Ideally, bring us in during planning and schedule the final clean after all trades are finished but before the final inspection or walkthrough. That leaves time for a touch-up clean before client turnover.
Do you handle both commercial and residential construction cleanup?
Yes. We clean ground-up construction, commercial build-outs, tenant improvements, multi-family projects and high-end custom homes across San Diego County.
Do you handle prevailing wage and certified payroll projects?
Yes. We regularly work on prevailing wage projects and provide certified payroll reporting for public works and other commercial jobs that require it.
How quickly can you schedule a final clean?
Because we have a large team, we can usually schedule quickly and scale up the crew for tight deadlines. Call us as soon as you have a target date.
Is Cavalry licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes. Cavalry holds a California contractor license (#1123172) and is bonded and insured. We provide certificates of insurance on request.
