How long does post-reno clean and walkthrough take in an Ottawa basement?

Post-renovation cleaning and a final walkthrough for a finished Ottawa basement typically takes 4–8 hours total, though this can stretch to a full day depending on the size and complexity of the space.

The cleaning phase is usually the more labour-intensive part. Construction dust is notoriously fine and pervasive — it settles into every corner, window sill, and HVAC vent. A proper post-reno clean involves vacuuming all surfaces before wiping (never the reverse), cleaning inside electrical boxes and light fixtures, washing down walls, and thoroughly cleaning any bathroom or wet bar area. For a typical Ottawa basement of 800–1,200 sq ft, expect 3–5 hours of cleaning if done properly. Many homeowners underestimate this and end up with drywall dust circulating through their HVAC system for months afterward — a good reason to also replace or clean your furnace filter immediately after reno work is complete.

The final walkthrough itself is typically 1–2 hours and should be methodical, not rushed. A proper walkthrough covers checking all outlets and switches for function, testing GFCI protection in wet areas (required by the Ontario Building Code in bathrooms and within 1.5m of sinks), verifying all doors and windows open/close properly, inspecting paint for missed touch-ups, confirming trim and baseboards are fully secured, and checking that any plumbing fixtures have no drips or slow drains. If your project involved a secondary suite, you'll also want to confirm the fire separation and egress requirements were signed off during the City of Ottawa building inspection — that sign-off should happen before your contractor's final walkthrough with you.

From a permit standpoint, Ottawa requires a final inspection by the City's Building Code Services before a project is officially closed out. Your contractor should coordinate this, and it typically takes 1–2 hours for the inspector's visit. Don't schedule your cleaning until after this inspection, since inspectors sometimes mark items for correction.

For most homeowners, the practical advice is to budget a full weekend for post-reno cleanup — one day for deep cleaning, and one day for the walkthrough, touch-up list, and settling in. Hiring a professional post-construction cleaning crew (typically $200–$450 for a basement in Ottawa) is worth considering, as they have the right equipment for fine construction dust.

If you're wrapping up a basement project with Ottawa Basements, we walk through the completed space with you to review every detail before we consider the job done. Want to talk through what a finished project handoff looks like? We're happy to chat.