Hi - hoping someone with experience here can give me a bit of advice. Just had floors refinished (sanded and poly - no stain) in an apartment I recently purchased (while still empty). I'm generally happy with the way the floors came out, but I'm surprised by how much "dust" (which isn't just wood - it's also powdered up chemicals from the old floor finising) they left behind. They clearly wiped... [more]
Hi - hoping someone with experience here can give me a bit of advice.
Just had floors refinished (sanded and poly - no stain) in an apartment I recently purchased (while still empty). I'm generally happy with the way the floors came out, but I'm surprised by how much "dust" (which isn't just wood - it's also powdered up chemicals from the old floor finising) they left behind. They clearly wiped down alot of the space, but I'm finding dust in a bunch of places, including a layer on the whole stovetop, and most concerning - found a layer of this dust inside the AC/Heating units when I opened up the lids (so am very concerned when these kick on it would push a bunch of the "dust" into the air - especially with the old finish in dust - I have a small child and wife is pregnant...).
So I think I need to hire someone to come in and really clean this all thouroughly. I liked the floor people when I set them up for the job, am happy with the floors, and they finished ahead of scehdule, but I really thought they would have taken more care to clean up (and have properly sealed off things like the AC units to keep them clean to begin with).
Were my expectations unrealistic, or should I be asking for some money back off the final bill? For the record - their pricing was middle, maybe upper middle from what I've seen quoted in Manhattan for this type of work ($3 /sq ft for 2,000 of space).
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Response by truthskr10
over 12 years ago
Posts: 4088
Member since: Jul 2009
I went through the same thing as you when I bought my apartment, it's very hard to keep the dust at bay and it happens with everyone I know who's done their floors, no matter how much prep.
And my living room has a 15 foot exposed ceiling, I spent a long time on a ladder wiping down pipes.
I also changed my HVAC filter weekly for a month. Your filter will tell you everything you need to know.
You can hire a commercial cleaner to do a once over if your overly concerned.
My guy did a good job but I was more pissed about some stain on my baseboard moldings than the dust.
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Response by shny
over 12 years ago
Posts: 62
Member since: Dec 2011
Usually, trades don't include thorough cleaning. The fine dust you get after grinding marble, refinishing floors, etc., really should be handled by an outfit that specializes in construction cleaning. The dust will be on every surface including on and inside your light fixtures.
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Response by MLH78
over 12 years ago
Posts: 9
Member since: Aug 2011
Thanks for the info. Anyone have recommendations on cleaning services, and a general idea on what a reasonable cost would be? I got a quote yesterday that seemed really high, I understand having a crew come in to clean my whole apt from top to bottom isn't like having my normal cleaning lady come in, but still - quote was for almost $1,200 to come in and clean in one day. Seems high, no?
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Response by shny
over 12 years ago
Posts: 62
Member since: Dec 2011
For 2000 SQ feet of space, top to bottom cleaning including windows in and out is actually pretty good at 1200 USD. But, that should include inside all of the kitchen cabinets, etc.
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Response by Primer05
over 12 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
MLH78
I have a great post construction cleaning company butt $1200 does seem about right.
You can email me at primerenovations@mac.com
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Response by wavedeva
over 12 years ago
Posts: 209
Member since: Jan 2006
Assuming you have a combined heating/cooling unit like a McQuay, I would get the units in your apartment steam cleaned. Changing the filter won't do it. Should cost less than $275 per unit, especially if you get a volume discount.
I went through the same thing as you when I bought my apartment, it's very hard to keep the dust at bay and it happens with everyone I know who's done their floors, no matter how much prep.
And my living room has a 15 foot exposed ceiling, I spent a long time on a ladder wiping down pipes.
I also changed my HVAC filter weekly for a month. Your filter will tell you everything you need to know.
You can hire a commercial cleaner to do a once over if your overly concerned.
My guy did a good job but I was more pissed about some stain on my baseboard moldings than the dust.
Usually, trades don't include thorough cleaning. The fine dust you get after grinding marble, refinishing floors, etc., really should be handled by an outfit that specializes in construction cleaning. The dust will be on every surface including on and inside your light fixtures.
Thanks for the info. Anyone have recommendations on cleaning services, and a general idea on what a reasonable cost would be? I got a quote yesterday that seemed really high, I understand having a crew come in to clean my whole apt from top to bottom isn't like having my normal cleaning lady come in, but still - quote was for almost $1,200 to come in and clean in one day. Seems high, no?
For 2000 SQ feet of space, top to bottom cleaning including windows in and out is actually pretty good at 1200 USD. But, that should include inside all of the kitchen cabinets, etc.
MLH78
I have a great post construction cleaning company butt $1200 does seem about right.
You can email me at primerenovations@mac.com
Assuming you have a combined heating/cooling unit like a McQuay, I would get the units in your apartment steam cleaned. Changing the filter won't do it. Should cost less than $275 per unit, especially if you get a volume discount.