After builders cleaning: what’s involved and how to prepare

Building work leaves a very fine dust behind. It settles on every surface, finds its way inside cupboards and keeps drifting down for days after the builders leave. A normal clean tends to move it around. An after builders clean is designed to remove it.

Whether you have had a new kitchen fitted, a loft conversion or a full renovation, this guide explains what the clean involves, how it differs from a standard clean, and how to get your home ready for it.

Why construction dust needs a different approach

Plaster, cement and sanding dust are much finer than ordinary household dust. A standard vacuum cleaner can push some of it straight back into the air, and a damp cloth on a dusty surface smears it into a film that dries white.

That is why after builders cleaning starts with HEPA vacuuming, using filters built to capture very fine particles, and works from the top of each room down. Surfaces are then wiped, often more than once, and floors are washed last so nothing falls onto a clean floor.

What the clean involves

Our after builders cleaning covers:

• HEPA vacuuming of fine construction dust
• Paint splashes and sticker residue removed
• Grout haze and adhesive cleaned off new tiles
• Inside cupboards, drawers and new units
• Windows, frames and tracks cleaned
• Light fittings, switches and sockets wiped
• Skirting boards, doors and frames
• All floors vacuumed and washed

Paint, plaster and residue

Paint spots on glass, frames and hard floors are lifted carefully, using the right tool for the surface so nothing gets scratched. Labels and protective film on new windows, appliances and sanitaryware are peeled away and the adhesive cleaned off.

New tiles and grout haze

After tiling, a thin cloudy film of grout is often left on the tile face. It dulls the finish and gets harder to remove the longer it is left. We clean it off with a product suited to the tile, which is why it helps to know whether you have ceramic, porcelain or natural stone.

Inside new units

New kitchen and wardrobe units collect dust and shavings inside. Every shelf, drawer and runner is vacuumed and wiped, so you can put things away straight away.

After builders cleaning vs a deep clean

A deep clean is designed for lived-in grime: grease, limescale and months of build-up. After builders cleaning is designed for construction residue: fine dust, paint, plaster and adhesive. The equipment, the order of work and the time needed are different, which is why it is a separate service with its own pricing.

If you have only had a small job done, such as a single room replastered, mention it when you book and we can help you choose the right option.

How to prepare

1. Make sure the builders have finished, including snagging and any return visits. Cleaning before the last trade leaves means paying to clean twice.
2. Ask them to remove waste and leftover materials, including rubble bags, offcuts and empty tins, so the team can reach every surface.
3. Check that electricity and running water are on. Both are needed for the equipment and for washing floors.
4. Take up dust sheets and floor protection carefully, folding them inwards so the dust stays inside, or ask the builders to do it.
5. Tell us about delicate surfaces, such as natural stone, unsealed timber, polished plaster or specialist finishes.
6. Sort out access, including parking or a visitor permit if needed, lift use and any building rules on working hours.

Timing your clean

Fine dust keeps settling for a day or two after work stops. For the best result, book the clean for shortly after the builders finish, and ventilate the property in the meantime by opening windows or running a fan.

If you are moving furniture back in, book the clean first. An empty room is far easier to clean properly, and your sofa and bed will not end up sitting in dust.

How long it takes

Our after builders cleans usually take four to ten hours with a team, depending on the size of the property and how much residue is left. A single-room refurbishment sits at the shorter end; a whole-house renovation with new floors, tiles and units sits at the longer end.

Room by room: where the dust hides

Kitchens

New kitchens collect dust inside every unit, on top of wall cupboards, in the extractor hood and in the gaps around appliances. Worktops often carry pencil marks, sealant smears and labels, and the sink may have plaster or grout residue in it.

Bathrooms

Expect grout haze on new tiles, silicone smears on sanitaryware, protective film on the shower screen and dust inside the extractor fan cover. Taps and fittings often have labels and adhesive to remove.

Living areas and bedrooms

Dust sits along skirting boards, door tops, window sills and radiator fins, and inside sockets, switch plates and light fittings. Window tracks are a common trap for grit, and new doors often have paint on the hinges and handles.

After the clean

Keep windows open for a few hours where you can, and change or clean any air vents or extractor filters that ran during the works. If carpets were down while work was going on, they may still hold dust deep in the pile, and a hot-water extraction clean can be added to your booking. Walk round with your snagging list too, so anything that needs the builder is raised while they are still on hand.

Common problems and how we deal with them

• Dust reappearing the next day. A little settling is normal if the air was still full of dust. Ventilating before the clean and working top-down keeps it to a minimum. If areas on our checklist were missed, report them within 72 hours and we will re-clean them free of charge.
• Paint on textured surfaces. Paint dried into textured tiles or timber grain can sometimes only be reduced, not removed, without damaging the surface. We will tell you if that is the case rather than risk it.
• Hardened cement or adhesive. Thick deposits on floors or tiles may need the builder to return with the right tools. We will point them out so you can raise them at snagging.

Our prices

Prices vary by company and property. Ours are fixed by property size, so you know the full cost before the team arrives:

• 1 bedroom: £239
• 2 bedrooms: £299
• 3 bedrooms: £369
• 4 bedrooms: £439
• 5+ bedrooms: £519

You can add carpet cleaning at £30 per room, an extra bathroom at £25, a balcony or patio at £20 and blinds at £8 per window. Our cleaners bring all the products and equipment needed.

Builders nearly done? See your fixed after builders cleaning price and choose a date that suits you on our booking page.