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CONSTRUCTION CLEANING
Post-construction window cleaning for the north metro
Paint, caulk, adhesive and film residue lifted from new glass with a razor held at a specific angle, after a consultation and signed waiver.
Post-construction cleaning is for new builds, renovations and replacement windows. Adhesive, caulking, factory film residue, paint, stucco and mortar bond to the glass and do not come off with regular cleaning, so Glass House wets each pane, lifts the hard debris with a razor held at a specific angle, then details the glass.
Across the north metro, newer neighborhoods in cities such as Hugo, Blaine and Rogers sit a few miles from older homes in Anoka receiving replacement windows. Because removing hardened debris can reveal or create scratches, every job starts with a consultation and a signed waiver, so the risk is discussed before any work begins.
SIGNED WAIVER REQUIRED
Removing hardened debris can reveal or create scratches, so we discuss the risk first and ask for a signed waiver.
★ Rated 4.9 on Google · 44 reviews
Insured to $2M
Owner-operated
Based in Ham Lake
WHY IT COMES UP
New builds and remodels, all over the north metro
Construction cleaning follows the building. Around here that means new neighborhoods and older homes receiving new windows, often a few miles apart.
38.3%
of Hugo's homes were built from 2000 to 2009, and the median Hugo home dates to 2003.
15.2%
of Blaine's homes were built from 2010 to 2019, on top of the 24.1% built in the 2000s.
2,649
people lived in Rogers in 1990. By 2010 the city had more than 11,000, and 27.2% of its homes were built in the 2000s.
1973
is the median year Anoka's homes were built. Older neighborhoods are where remodels and replacement windows come in.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-year estimates, via Point2Homes (Hugo, Blaine, Rogers, Anoka); Star Tribune, "No. 1 fastest growing city in Minnesota?" (2016).
LEFT ON NEW GLASS
Residue that regular cleaning will not lift
Regular window cleaning is built for dirt and film. These four residues bond to the glass and need a different method.
Adhesive and caulking
Windows are set with adhesive and sealed with caulk, and some of it often ends up on the glass during installation. Once it hardens, it is bonded to the surface, and no amount of soap, scrubbing or squeegee work will lift it. A blade held at the right angle removes it cleanly.
Factory film residue
New glass usually arrives with a protective plastic film. Peeling the film away can leave a residue that regular cleaning does not remove, and that residue is one of the main reasons post-construction cleaning is its own service rather than a harder version of a regular clean.
Paint, stucco and mortar
Drips, overspray and splatter from painters, stucco crews and masons dry hard on the glass. Hard debris like this needs a blade rather than a scrub, and it is the reason every construction clean starts with a consultation: Carson needs to see how much is there and how firmly it is bonded.
Sap and artillery fungus
Tree sap and artillery fungus stick to glass like tar and do not come off with a regular clean. Artillery fungus appears as tiny, hard black specks that come from mulch beds near the house. Both are removed with the same wet-glass razor method as paint and adhesive.
HOW WE DO IT
Wet glass, the right angle, then a detail clean
The razor is the part people ask about. In trained hands it is the right tool, and the reason comes down to the angle.
01
Consultation first
Carson looks at the glass, the debris and the windows before anything is quoted, and counts the panes. Tinted glass, or scratches already in the glass, change the plan, and he would rather know about them now than discover them halfway through the job.
WHY THIS IS A SPECIALTY SERVICE
A razor on glass in the wrong hands is an expensive mistake. The elevated liability and the expertise the work requires are why post-construction cleaning is a specialty service with its own consultation and waiver, rather than an add-on to a regular clean.
02
A signed waiver
Lifting hardened debris can reveal scratches that were hiding under it, or create new ones. We explain that risk plainly and ask you to sign a waiver before any work starts, so the conversation happens before the razor comes out rather than after.
03
Wet the glass
Each pane is wet down with our cleaning solution before any blade touches it. The razor work is always done on wet glass, never dry, and in the same way on every pane of every job.
04
Razor at a specific angle
The hard debris is scraped off with the blade held at a specific angle. That angle is what takes paint, adhesive, caulk and film residue off without touching the glass itself, and holding it consistently is the skill this service is priced for.
05
Then a normal detail clean
With the debris gone, the glass receives our regular streak-free clean: a professional squeegee fanned across the pane in one continuous pull, then lint-free towels on the edges, frames and sills. Carson walks the finished glass with you before the job is done.
IDENTIFY IT FIRST
Construction debris, and what only looks like it
Some of what is on new glass comes off with a razor. Some of it is in the glass itself, and no cleaning reaches it. This is how they sort out.
WHAT YOU SEE
WHAT IT USUALLY IS
WHAT TAKES CARE OF IT
Paint specks, caulk or adhesive on the glass
Construction debris
Construction cleaning
Sticky residue on brand-new windows
Left behind by the factory plastic film
Construction cleaning
Stucco or mortar splatter
Masonry debris dried hard on the glass
Construction cleaning
Tiny hard black specks near mulch beds
Artillery fungus
Construction cleaning
White spots where sprinklers hit
Hard water minerals
Hard water stain removal, a separate service
Fog or moisture between the panes
A failed seal
A window repair, not a cleaning
Cracks, or scratches already in the glass
Damage to the glass itself
Cleaning cannot fix it
Debris on tinted glass or solar panels
Surfaces where hard debris cannot be safely removed
Not something we remove
HONEST LIMITS
What we tell you before we start
Hard water spots are separate
White spots where sprinklers reach the glass are minerals from hard water, not construction debris. They are treated as hard water stain removal, an add-on judged only after the glass has been cleaned normally. If they still do not lift, the minerals have etched the glass, and no cleaning can reverse that.
Fogged glass is a failed seal
Fog between the panes is not dirt. The seal has failed and the moisture is inside the unit, between the panes, so no cleaning from either side can reach it. Homeowners often assume fogging will wash off, which is why we say so before any money is spent.
Cracked or painted-shut windows
Cleaning will not fix a cracked pane or a window that has been painted shut. Those need a repair, and Glass House is a cleaning service, not a repair or handyman service, so we say so plainly rather than let you find out after paying.
Who we send you to
For repairs, we recommend Pro Window Repair in Blaine, a family-owned shop with over 33 years of experience. Clients pick their own glass, the shop manufactures in house, and there is no job too small. Glass House takes no referral fee: we clean glass, and they fix it.
HOW PRICING WORKS
What construction cleaning costs
YOUR CONSTRUCTION CLEANING, AT A GLANCE
CONSULT FIRST
Starting price
From $500
Covers 10 panes. A pane means both sides of the glass
More than 10 panes
$50 a pane
Carson counts the panes at your consultation and confirms the price
Consultation and signed waiver
Required
Required before any razor touches the glass
Final detail clean
Included
The glass, frames and sills finished streak-free once the debris is off
Builders and commercial sites
In person
Quoted in person by Carson
Covers 10 panes
From $500
Starting at $500, which covers 10 panes (a pane means both sides of the glass), then $50 a pane. Carson counts the panes at the consultation. Commercial and builder jobs are always quoted in person by Carson.
WAYS TO SAVE
Service Plan members
25% off any other work, holiday lighting included
Veterans
10% off any service
Same-day neighbors
15% off for both households
Preferred day
Another 5% off on top of any other saving, up to 25% in all
Seniors 65 and older
$50 off
Three projects together
10% off
Discounts don't combine — you receive whichever single saving is largest. Then a Preferred day can take another 5% off, up to 25% in all (Service Plan members aren't capped).
This season’s flash sale is shown at the foot of every page.
GUARANTEES
What backs the work, word for word
These are printed word for word on your quote, your work order and your invoice.
INCLUDED
Workmanship Standard
If we miss an area or leave normal cleanable residue, tell us and we'll re-clean or touch it up. Our guarantees cover the cleaning result — not repairs, replacements, permanent stains, or conditions that can't be safely corrected through cleaning.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
What construction cleaning includes, and what it does not
This is the razor work for new builds, remodels and replacement windows, and it always begins with a consultation and a signed waiver.
INCLUDED
In every construction clean
• A walk-through of the glass and a signed waiver first
• Paint, caulk, adhesive, stucco and film residue removed
• Graffiti on glass
• Razor work on wet glass, at the right angle
• Our full streak-free clean afterward
NOT INCLUDED
Outside construction cleaning
• Repairing scratches that debris hid or that removal reveals
• Fogged glass or failed seals
• Cracked or painted-shut windows
• Hard debris on tinted glass, which gets a non-abrasive clean
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS
A blade, used carefully
The glass is wet down with our solution, then razor blades held at a specific angle take hardened debris off without touching the glass itself. Every pane then receives our normal detail clean: a professional squeegee fanned in one continuous pull, and lint-free surgical towels on the edges, frames and sills.
SAFETY AND CARE
Careful work on brand-new glass
New glass, new trim and new floors all mark easily, so the care around the razor work matters as much as the razor work itself.
DOCUMENTATION
Photos before and after
Every job is documented with before and after photos, attached to your receipt once the work is complete. Any scratch revealed under the debris, crack or failed seal is photographed, noted and shown to you, so there is a clear record of what the glass looked like at every stage.
RESPONSIBILITY
Owner-performed and insured
The person holding the razor is the person who quoted the job: Carson does every construction clean himself, with no crews or subcontractors. Glass House is insured to $2M in general liability, which matters on the one service where the method itself carries risk.
LADDERS
Standoffs on fresh siding and trim
New siding, trim and paint mark easily. Our ladders carry padded standoffs and levelers, so nothing rests on the new work and the base stays steady on freshly graded soil. Ladders are set at a 4 to 1 angle and tied off above two stories.
INDOORS
Drop cloths over new floors
Inside, drop cloths go down in every area before any glass is wetted, which matters even more over brand-new floors, carpet and trim. No ladder ever comes inside your home; specialized poles reach interior glass at height, and anything that cannot be reached safely is named up front.
THE OWNER
New glass deserves a careful hand
Glass House is owned and run by Carson Brenny. He grew up in Ham Lake, went to Blaine High School and has worked full-time in exterior cleaning since 2020. He consults on every construction clean, holds the razor himself and walks the finished glass with you.
New windows and new builds are a large investment on top of the home itself, and after months of dust, paint and adhesive, a family should be able to enjoy the view it paid for. Scraping glass is skilled work, so Carson takes his time, keeps every pane wet and reports anything he finds.
IN CARSON'S WORDS
“It's my neighbors' homes: their biggest investment, one of the places they spend the most time, and where the people they care about most live. It's something everyone should enjoy, and I believe that.”
Carson Brenny, owner
✓
Razor work at the right angle, on wet glass
✓
Paint, adhesive, sap and artillery fungus removed
✓
$500 minimum, which covers 10 panes
WHO BOOKS IT
New builds, remodels and replacements
New-build homeowners
A new home often comes with paint, caulk or film residue still on the glass. This service removes it before you settle in, so every cleaning after it is a regular cleaning, and the new windows start with nothing bonded to them.
Remodels and additions
Painting, stucco and masonry work near windows leaves splatter behind. Booking the construction clean once the trades are finished means the glass is done once, after the last drip has landed, instead of being cleaned while work is still underway.
After window replacement
Replacement windows go in with adhesive and caulk, and the glass usually arrives with a factory film. The residue left behind is exactly what this service is for. Book it once the installer has finished, and before the first regular cleaning of the new windows.
Builders and commercial sites
Builders, contractors and commercial properties are quoted in person by Carson, so he can see the site, the glass and what is on it before putting a number on it. Commercial work is never priced online, because every site is different.
BEFORE YOUR CONSULTATION
Help us plan it right
A few details make the consultation quick and the quote accurate.
01
Tell us what happened
Let us know whether it was a new build, a remodel or replacement windows, and roughly when the work wrapped up. That tells us what is most likely on the glass before Carson arrives.
TINTED WINDOWS
Tell us about tint before we come. An abrasive scratches window film, so tinted glass receives a non-abrasive applicator and a squeegee instead, and hard debris on tinted glass cannot be removed.
02
Send a few photos
Close-ups of the worst panes help Carson see what he is dealing with before he comes out, and they make the consultation go faster. Every online quote is still verified in person before any work begins.
03
Let the trades finish
Book once the painting, stucco and caulking are done. That way nothing new lands on the glass after it has been cleaned, and the job does not have to be repeated.
04
Turn on the outside water
We need an outside spigot turned on and easy to reach, not shut off at an interior valve or behind a locked gate. It is the single most common avoidable delay on any job.
WHERE WE WORK
Construction cleaning across the north metro
Glass House is based in Ham Lake and cleans post-construction glass throughout Anoka County and the Twin Cities north metro.
Each city page covers the local conditions that affect your home. The surrounding north metro is served as well, and we travel farther for a small trip fee.
CONSTRUCTION CLEANING QUESTIONS
Construction cleaning FAQ
What is post-construction window cleaning?
It is the razor work for new builds, renovations and replacement windows. It removes adhesive, caulking, factory film residue, paint, stucco, mortar, sap, artillery fungus and other hard debris that regular cleaning will not lift, then finishes every pane with our normal streak-free detail clean.
Why does regular window cleaning not remove it?
Regular cleaning is built for dirt and film. Hardened adhesive, caulk, paint and film residue are bonded to the glass and need a blade, which is a different job with a different level of risk. That is why it has its own consultation, waiver and pricing.
Will a razor scratch my windows?
Held at the right angle on wet glass, the blade takes the debris off without touching the glass. The honest part is that hardened debris can hide scratches, and removing it can reveal or create them. That is why every job starts with a consultation and a signed waiver.
Why do I have to sign a waiver?
Because removing hardened debris can reveal or create scratches. It is a real risk in this kind of work, and we would rather be clear about it before we start than explain it afterward. The waiver makes sure that conversation happens first, in writing.
How much does post-construction window cleaning cost?
Starting at $500, which covers 10 panes (a pane means both sides of the glass), then $50 a pane. Carson counts the panes at the consultation. Builder, contractor and commercial jobs are always quoted in person.
Why does it cost more than regular window cleaning?
Liability and skill. This is the one service where the method itself carries risk, and a razor on glass in the wrong hands is an expensive mistake. The price reflects the expertise the work requires and the care taken on every pane.
Can you fix my foggy windows?
No. Fog between the panes means the seal has failed and the moisture is inside the unit, where cleaning cannot reach. For repairs, we recommend Pro Window Repair in Blaine, a family-owned shop with over 33 years of experience.
Do you work with builders and commercial properties?
Yes. Builder, contractor and commercial jobs are always quoted in person by Carson, after he has seen the site and the glass. That visit lets him count the panes, judge the debris and plan the work around the site's schedule.
