Checklist for the First Window Clean in a New Mirabel Home

Book the first window clean in a new-build home only after the glass has been inspected and the last trades have finished outside. Before that visit, write down any scratches, then sort ordinary dust from construction residue, because the two are handled very differently. A little preparation protects your right to raise defects with the builder and keeps the visit at the price you expected.

This checklist is for owners who have just taken possession in Domaine-Vert Nord, Saint-Janvier, Saint-Augustin or anywhere else in Mirabel. Work through it in order, since the first step cannot be redone once the glass has been cleaned.

Step 1: inspect the glass before anyone cleans it

Dust hides scratches, and a clean pane shows every one of them. Once a window has been washed, it gets harder to show when a mark appeared. Do this part first.

• Walk the house in daylight. Look at each pane from a few angles, inside and out, including basement windows and patio door panels.
• Photograph every scratch, chip or etched patch. Put a coin or a ruler in the shot for scale and name each photo by room.
• Check between the panes. Fog or moisture inside a sealed unit is a window issue. No amount of cleaning will fix it, so it belongs on the builder's list.
• Put it in writing. If your home is covered by the GCR new-home guarantee plan, the pre-acceptance inspection is where visible defects are recorded. Your contract and GCR documents give the exact steps and deadlines for anything you find later.
• Keep the window maker's care sheet. It lists the products and methods to avoid on that brand of window and frame.

Step 2: sort what is on the glass

New-build windows rarely carry just one kind of dirt. Use this table to work out which kind of clean your home needs.

Take photos of anything in the lower rows and include them with your request. It makes the quote more accurate and avoids surprises on the day. Mortar and concrete residue are worth dealing with soon, since their alkaline content can mark glass if left on for a long time.

Step 3: handle the small things yourself, carefully

A few leftovers from the build are safe for you to deal with, as long as you stay gentle.

• Peel the protective film off vinyl and aluminum frames. Film left in the sun gets harder to remove with time.
• Soak paper labels. Warm soapy water and patience will lift most of them. A plastic scraper can help with what remains.
• Skip metal blades. Scraping dry glass can leave scratches, and patio doors and other tempered panes can carry tiny surface debris from manufacturing that a blade drags across the glass.
• Skip abrasive pads and strong acids. Scouring pads scratch, and acid-based cleaners can damage frames and sills.
• Leave cement and paint alone if they will not come off with soap. Forcing them is how a cosmetic problem becomes permanent damage.

Step 4: get the house ready for the crew

New properties have a few access issues that older homes do not. Sort these out before the visit.

• Count every window. Include basement windows, door sidelights, each patio door panel and the tall fixed panes above a staircase. That count sets your tier on the pricing page.
• Clear the perimeter. Ask the builder to move leftover lumber, pallets and bins away from the walls. Soft ground from unfinished grading is worth mentioning too.
• Flag anything unusual. The pole reaches up to three storeys from the ground. Taller or hard-to-reach homes get a site visit, and skylights and solariums are quoted separately.
• Check the screens. They are rinsed in place during an exterior clean. Altara does not repair screens, but the crew will point out any tears so you can add them to your list for the builder.
• Decide on add-ons. Interior glass, screen removal and washing, and track cleaning are optional and paid. Tracks are often worth adding in a new home, because drywall dust tends to settle there.

Step 5: pick the right moment

The timing depends on how far along the site is and what month you moved in. Exterior work runs from about March to November, and interior cleaning is available all year.

• Possession in late fall: book the exterior soon if the last visits of the season are still open. Otherwise, have the interior done now and plan the outside for spring.
• Landscaping still to come: sod, paving and grading all raise dust. If that work is scheduled within a few weeks, wait until it is finished before cleaning the exterior.
• Neighbouring houses still going up: dust from nearby lots will keep landing on your glass. A light clean now and a second one once the street settles often makes more sense than one perfect clean too early.

After the first visit, you can set up a schedule. Quarterly, bi-monthly and monthly service come with a discount, while bi-annual and annual programs include automated reminders. See residential window cleaning for the full scope.

Frequently asked questions

Should a builder clean the windows before handing over a new home?

What the builder owes you depends on your contract, so read the section on final cleaning before you assume anything. Many homes are handed over with a basic clean that still leaves dust and residue on the exterior glass. Ask what was promised, and raise anything missing before you book your own clean.

Does the flat rate cover construction residue on new windows?

No. The exterior flat rate covers glass, frames and sills washed with pure deionized water on a water-fed pole, plus screens rinsed in place. Mortar, paint, adhesive and similar residue fall under post-construction cleanup, which is quoted separately. Send photos with your request so the quote reflects what is actually on the glass.

Can pure water remove stickers and paint from new glass?

Pure water removes dust and leaves no mineral spots as it dries, but it will not dissolve adhesive, paint or cement. Those need separate treatment first. Once they are gone, a regular exterior clean gives you the finish you are after.

What happens if streaks show up after the first clean?

Report a streak within 24 hours and the crew returns free of charge. It helps to look at the windows in daylight soon after the visit. If you spot a scratch instead, compare it with the photos you took in step 1.

Book your first clean

Altara serves homes across Mirabel and the rest of Greater Montréal, and more than 7,800 homes have been cleaned so far. Once your inspection notes are done, pick your window-count tier on the pricing page, or send a request with photos if there is construction residue on the glass. For a closer look at what a standard visit costs locally, read the Mirabel window cleaning cost guide.