Construction is messy. If you need to create a new building for your business, or you want to put an extension on the back of your house, you’ll need to deal with the ensuing mess. With a little tactical planning, however, you can make the construction cleanup process substantially easier.

Before Construction Begins

Advance planning makes all the difference where construction cleanup is concerned. Before your project begins, check out city ordinances and make sure you abide by any trash-related rules. Some cities have special locations for construction waste drop-off, while others dictate how long you can leave trash sitting in your front yard or parking lot before getting into trouble.

If you need a dumpster, book it well in advance and ensure you choose a vessel suited to your specific needs. Concrete requires a much stronger trash receptacle than wood, so if your building debris includes stone or cement, plan accordingly. Heavy-duty garden waste bags corral lightweight trash, keeping it neat and out of the way.

During Construction

Safety is everything during on-site cleanup projects. If your project includes any type of demolition, make sure that your cleanup crew stays completely out of the way until the area is safe to approach. According to OSHA regulations, hard hats are essential when workers are at risk of head injury; to protect your cleanup crew, make sure each member wears an ANSI-approved hard hat when working on location.

To stay on top of building debris, liaise with your construction company to figure out a specific junk removal time. To avoid getting in the way, many homeowners and business owners sweep up and remove waste in the evenings after their construction teams leave. Staying on top of waste removal can make post-construction cleanup much less involved and much easier.

After Construction Ends

The contractors are gone, and your new building looks great — except for the inevitable leftover clutter. Dust, fallen hardware, pieces of leftover wood can make your finished project a messy sight — or site — to behold. Forgotten nails can come back to haunt you, and plaster dust can stick to furniture, fixtures and everything else. Before you open your building for business or move back in, create a checklist and complete the following cleaning tasks:

• Remove visible debris
• Wipe down walls, doors and baseboards to get rid of fine dust
• Clean light fixtures, door handles and cabinets
• Clean windows and mirrors
• Change your forced-air system or furnace filter to eliminate dust
• Thoroughly vacuum carpets and sweep floors
• Pressure wash exterior cement and asphalt surfaces

Prompt construction cleanup helps keep your project site looking neat and can also help reduce the risk of on-site accidents. It can be tough to find the time to sweep and pick up debris as you go along, but that’s where we come in. Atlantic Sweeping & Cleaning has a specialist team dedicated to construction cleanup, so you can stay safe, concentrate on other things and enjoy a more presentable construction site.