Punch-List Return Trips: Who Pays When Trades Re-Dirty a Clean Space

The problem in one sentence

At the owner's walk, dust is dust. Nobody can tell whether the cleaner missed it or the ceiling sub left it yesterday, so the cleaner ends up re-cleaning for free or the GC eats the cost.

Use one joint acceptance walk

1. When an area is cleaned, the cleaner gives notice that it's complete.
2. The superintendent and the cleaner's site lead walk it together within a set window, such as 48 hours.
3. Anything the cleaner missed goes on a list and is fixed before the crew leaves, at no charge.
4. The area is signed off with date-stamped photos.

After sign-off, re-cleaning is extra work

Once an area is accepted, cleaning caused by later work is re-cleaning, not a punch item. Price it at a rate agreed in the subcontract, either time and materials or per square foot. Then backcharge the trade that caused it if your subcontracts allow it.

Cut the re-cleaning before it happens

• Hold the final clean until ceiling tiles, diffusers, trim and paint touch-up are done in that area.
• Require trades that return to accepted areas to use floor protection and clean up after themselves.
• Lock or flag accepted rooms when you can.
• Schedule a touch-up pass right before the owner's walk instead of hoping the final holds.

Subcontract language you can use: "Base price includes correction of cleaning deficiencies identified at one joint acceptance walk held within 48 hours of the subcontractor's completion notice. Re-cleaning of accepted areas required by the work of others will be performed at the unit rates in this subcontract."