Post-construction cleans are harder than they sound. Most people think it is just washing new windows, but what is actually on the glass after months of building work is a different story. A builder in North York called us about a freshly finished home, and even with years of doing this, the scope caught us off guard. This is what the job looked like.
The project: a large new build in North York
By Dmitriy Trubnik, Owner of DT Cleaning | March 13, 2026
The home was a two-storey new build in North York with detailed multi-panel window frames. The main problem: french windows throughout. Multi-panel frames on every level, ground floor to second storey, plus below-grade egress windows in the foundation. Every one of them was coated in construction residue from months of active work on site.
The builder initially came to us looking for a fast, budget service. We had to have a straight conversation: this was not a job where you show up with a squeegee and call it done. The windows were covered in cement splatter, drywall dust, paint drips, silicone smears, and construction grime embedded into the frames. Cut corners on this kind of work and you scratch brand-new glass. That is a replacement, not a redo.
Why french windows are a special case
French windows have the multi-panel grid style you see on custom new builds across North York and the GTA. They have far more linear footage of frame and seal than a standard window. Every divider bar, every corner join, every glazing bead is a place where cement and paint collect. On a regular window you might clean one frame perimeter. On a full french window assembly you might be cleaning ten or fifteen individual sections.
That easily doubles or triples the time. It also means the risk of scratching the glass while removing dried cement is higher. There are more edges where debris can shift under a tool and drag across the glass surface. Dmitriy and his crew use specific solvents made for construction cleanup and careful technique, not just force, to remove this material safely.
Day one: on the ground and in the mud
We arrived with a two-person crew and walked the full property before touching anything. Ground floor, second floor, basement egress windows, window wells - everything. The site was still active, with landscaping and foundation work ongoing around the perimeter. That meant our team was working in tight spaces, often crouching in window wells below grade level to reach glass surrounded by dirt, wood forms, and construction debris.
The lower sections of many windows had cement splashed directly onto the glass from foundation and stucco work. Some of it had been sitting for weeks and had hardened into the surface. Rush this with an abrasive tool and you scratch the glass permanently. We worked through it carefully, section by section.
Between days: rain and a return visit
Between day one and day two, it rained. On a standard window cleaning Toronto job this would be minor. Rain on clean glass leaves water spots that dry clear. But on a construction site, rain carries dust and suspended particles from the surrounding dirt and debris. A handful of the windows we had cleaned on day one had fresh streaking from the rain mixing with site dust.
We came back, assessed what needed to be redone, and washed those sections again. This is part of doing post-construction cleaning services properly. You accept that site conditions are not controlled and you deal with it. The builder was a bit more relaxed on day two, once he could see the overall result taking shape.
The upper floors and hard-to-reach areas
The second storey windows required ladder access and, in some sections, working from the balcony ledge. These are the situations where our exterior window cleaning experience comes in. Working at height on a construction site is different. The ground is uneven, there is debris around the base of ladders, and scaffolding is usually not in place. You need to know what you are doing.
The finish and a heads-up about the eavestroughs
By the end of day two, the windows were done. Clean glass, clean frames, all the construction residue removed without a single scratch. Before we left, we walked the builder around the roofline and pointed out a few things we had noticed with the eavestrough and gutter situation. Debris had collected during construction and there were a couple of areas worth keeping an eye on before the first heavy rain. We always do this on new builds. It costs nothing and the homeowner benefits from knowing.
What builders and homeowners should know about post-construction window cleaning
If you are a builder or a homeowner taking possession of a new home in the GTA, this is what matters about this type of service:
- Timing matters. The longer cement, drywall compound, and paint sit on glass, the harder they are to remove safely. Booking post-construction window cleaning North York early - while finish work is still wrapping up - makes the job easier and reduces risk to the glass.
- French windows and grid-pattern windows take more labour. More frame, more time. Any honest contractor will tell you this upfront.
- Rain between stages is normal on an open site. A good team accounts for it and returns to fix affected areas. That is part of the service.
- Insurance is not optional. Scratched glass on a new build can cost thousands to replace. Make sure whoever you hire carries proper liability coverage. DT Cleaning carries $2M liability insurance on every job.
We have completed hundreds of post-construction window cleaning jobs across North York, Toronto, and the GTA. If you have a new build coming to final stages, or if you are a builder looking for a reliable team for your next project, reach out through our fast quote form and we will get back to you the same day.
If your property has downspout or eavestrough issues left over from construction, we handle that too.
Service area
This project was completed in the Willowdale area of North York. We regularly service new builds along the Yonge and Sheppard corridor, York Mills, Bayview Village, Lawrence Park, and the Bridle Path. If you are searching for post-construction cleaning near me in North York or Toronto, we regularly serve new construction sites throughout North York, Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, and the surrounding GTA. Our team is available for both one-time post-construction cleans and ongoing maintenance contracts with builders and property managers.
With 450+ five-star Google reviews, we do this kind of work regularly.
FAQ: post-construction window cleaning in North York
How much does post-construction window cleaning cost in North York?
The cost depends on the number of windows, the type (standard vs. french or grid-pattern), the level of construction residue, and access difficulty. Multi-panel french windows and below-grade egress windows require much more labour than standard windows. Contact DT Cleaning for a free quote.
How long does post-construction window cleaning take on a new home?
On a large new build with many french windows, post-construction cleaning services typically takes one to two full days with a two-person crew. The North York project described here took two full days for two experienced technicians.
Can post-construction cleaning services remove cement from window glass without scratching?
Yes, when done correctly with the right solvents and technique. The key is using a chemical approach to soften hardened cement before any mechanical contact with the glass. DT Cleaning uses commercial construction solvents on every post-construction job.
Do you clean post-construction windows on residential and commercial new builds in North York?
Yes. DT Cleaning works with both residential builders and commercial developers across North York and the GTA. Our team carries $2M liability insurance and is fully Working at Heights certified for elevated access work.
What if it rains after post-construction window cleaning?
On an active construction site, rain picks up construction dust and puts it right back on the glass. If that happens between our visits, we come back and redo those windows. We take photos before and after so re-soiling is identifiable and corrected efficiently.
Do you work directly with builders and contractors for post-construction window cleaning?
Yes. We work directly with builders and general contractors across North York and Toronto. We understand build timelines and can schedule around final inspections, possession dates, and landscaping work. Call (647) 558-8411 to discuss contractor pricing.
