Basement cleaning: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What basement cleaning is

Basement cleaning clears clutter, sweeps and washes floors and walls, and treats mildew-prone surfaces so the lower level is usable and dry. It is often done alongside a moisture check, since damp and dust are what make basements hard to keep clean.

Signs you need it

  • A musty smell hits you on the stairs and does not go away with airing out
  • White or gray mildew shows on the wall near the floor or on stored cardboard
  • Dust and cobwebs cover the joists, the furnace area and the shelves
  • Stored boxes sit on the floor and show water rings or soft spots
  • You plan to finish or use the basement and it needs to be cleared first

What the pro does

  • Sort out stored items and set aside what is damp, moldy or damaged for disposal
  • Vacuum dust from joists, ducts and the top of the walls with a HEPA-filter vacuum
  • Scrub the floor and lower walls with a product suited to concrete or the finish present
  • Treat mildew-prone surfaces with a mildew-specific product and let them dry fully
  • Check the floor drain, the sump area and the baseboards for water staining or standing water
  • Leave the basement dry, clear of cardboard and with a note on any moisture problem found

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Square footage of the basement and how much is finished or open
  • Amount of clutter, cardboard and damaged items that must be sorted and hauled
  • Extent of mildew on walls, joists and stored items
  • Whether the job includes the furnace and water heater area, which needs care around equipment
  • Access through narrow or steep stairs or a bulkhead door
  • Whether a moisture check or a repair of drainage or sealing is added to the job

What a written quote should spell out

  • Which areas are cleaned, including storage rooms, laundry area and the utility space
  • Whether sorting and hauling of damaged items is included or charged separately
  • The products used on concrete, painted walls and mildew, and how they are rinsed
  • What the crew will not touch, such as the furnace, electrical panel or gas appliances
  • Whether a written note on moisture and drainage is provided at the end

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you move the stored items and tell me what you find that may be damaged
  • How do you treat mildew on the walls, and do you use a product that is safe for the household
  • Will you check the floor drain and tell me if water is standing near the sump area
  • Do you clean around the furnace and water heater without moving them
  • How long will the basement need to dry before I can store things back in it
  • Can you haul away the damaged cardboard and furniture

Red flags

  • A crew that wants to spray mildew product into a sealed space without ventilation
  • No plan for moisture, so the mildew comes back within weeks
  • A quote that does not say who hauls away damaged items
  • Promises to fix a water intrusion problem as a basic cleaning task

What you can do yourself

You can clear out clearly damp or damaged items, pull boxes off the floor and run a dehumidifier before the crew arrives. Call a professional for widespread mildew, standing water, and any work near the furnace, water heater or electrical panel.

Licenses and permits

Basement cleaning is not commonly licensed. Water intrusion repair, drainage work and some electrical or gas work near the furnace are commonly licensed, so check with your state or local licensing agency before hiring for those.

Basement cleaning questions

Will cleaning the basement stop the smell?

It can help a lot, but a persistent smell often means moisture is still reaching the space. Ask the crew to check for the source before you assume the cleaning fixed it.

Can I store things back in the basement after cleaning?

Only after the floor and walls are fully dry. Use plastic bins rather than cardboard, and keep items off the floor.

Who should clean around the furnace?

Ask the cleaner to dust the area without moving the unit. Service of the furnace itself should be done by a qualified technician.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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