Renovating a home or completing a construction project is exciting, but it comes with one inevitable reality: dust, debris, and leftover construction residue. That’s where a professional builder cleaning comes in. Not only does it ensure your property looks pristine, but it also removes hazardous dust and residue, ensuring health, safety, and compliance standards are met.
In this guide, we’ll break down what a builder’s clean includes room by room, explain the tools, equipment, and chemicals used, and provide a comprehensive scope that homeowners, project manager and cleaning professionals need to know.
Introduction to Builders Clean & Post-Construction Cleaning
A builders clean (also called post-construction cleaning) is a specialized cleaning service that prepares a newly built or renovated property for handover or occupancy. Unlike regular cleaning, builders cleaning focuses on removing construction dust, adhesive residues, paint splatters, and debris left by tradespeople.
Professional builders cleaners follow a systematic approach, usually divided into rough, detailed, and final clean phases, to ensure every surface and room is thoroughly prepared. Beyond aesthetics, this process is essential for safety, air quality, and the longevity of finishes and fixtures.
Builders Clean Scope Explained: Core Cleaning Phases
Rough Clean Phase (Debris & Safety Removal)
The first step in a builders clean, known as the rough clean phase, focuses on removing large debris and ensuring safety throughout the property. Cleaners start by clearing leftover wood, screws, plaster, packaging, and other construction waste. They use heavy-duty brooms and dustpans to sweep up larger debris, while HEPA-filter vacuums capture fine dust particles that may otherwise remain airborne. Protective gloves and masks are worn to safely handle sharp objects and construction dust, minimizing health risks and potential injuries. This initial phase ensures the property is safe to navigate and sets a solid foundation for the more detailed cleaning stages that follow.
Detailed Clean (Internal Surfaces & Room Detail)
Once the debris has been removed, cleaners move on to the detailed clean phase, which targets internal surfaces and fixtures throughout each room. Walls, ceilings, and light fittings are thoroughly wiped down to remove dust and construction residues. Windows, frames, and tracks are carefully cleaned, while any adhesive films, stickers, or paint splatters left from construction work are removed. Kitchen countertops, cabinets, and bathroom vanities are scrubbed, and switches, sockets, and other high-touch surfaces are sanitized to ensure a hygienic environment. This detailed cleaning phase ensures that all construction dust and residues are eliminated, leaving the property dust-free, safe, and ready for the next stage of polishing and inspection.
Final Clean (Polish & Inspection)
The final clean phase focuses on finishing touches and a thorough inspection to prepare the property for occupancy or client walkthroughs. Floors, including tiles, hardwood, and concrete surfaces, are mopped and buffed to a polished finish. Glass surfaces and mirrors are meticulously polished, while any remaining dust in corners, vents, and along baseboards is vacuumed to ensure a completely clean environment. Finally, a quality check is performed to verify that all rooms meet handover standards, ensuring that every surface, fixture, and detail is spotless. This phase guarantees that the property is not only visually clean but also safe, hygienic, and ready for immediate use.
Room-by-Room Builders Clean Checklist
All Rooms: Universal Cleaning Tasks
Across every room, professional builders cleaners focus on universal cleaning tasks to ensure a consistent level of hygiene and detail. All surfaces are dusted and vacuumed, skirting boards, trims, and door frames are wiped down, and high-touch areas such as light switches, power points, and air vents are thoroughly cleaned. Adhesive residues, tape, and construction stickers left behind by tradespeople are carefully removed to prevent damage to surfaces and ensure a polished, finished appearance.
Living Areas & Bedrooms
In living areas and bedrooms, the cleaning coverage expands to include dusting walls, ceiling fans, and window sills, ensuring that all hidden dust particles are eliminated. Carpets and rugs are vacuumed, while hard floors are mopped to remove any remaining dust and debris. Closets, shelving units, and storage spaces are inspected and cleaned, with internal doors, handles, and frames wiped down to remove fingerprints and smudges, leaving these areas ready for immediate use.
Kitchen Cleaning
Kitchens require detailed attention to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. Cabinet interiors, shelves, and drawers are wiped and sanitized, while countertops, splashbacks, sinks, and taps are thoroughly cleaned. Any paint splatters, adhesive residues, or construction marks are carefully removed. Appliances, including the oven, fridge, and microwave exteriors, are sanitized to remove dust, grease, or fingerprints, ensuring the kitchen is fully ready for use without risk of contamination.
Bathroom Cleaning
Bathrooms often accumulate construction dust, grout haze, and adhesive residues, making them one of the most critical areas for builders cleaning. Basins, bathtubs, showers, and toilets are scrubbed and sanitized, while mirrors, tiles, and glass shower screens are polished. Tapware, drains, and exhaust fans are cleaned to remove dust and residues, and any plaster dust or stickers left by tradespeople are removed to ensure a hygienic and visually pristine space.
Hallways, Stairs & Storage Closets
Hallways, stairs, and storage closets are treated with the same attention to detail as primary rooms. Floors are vacuumed and mopped, paying close attention to corners where dust and debris often accumulate. Handrails, balustrades, and door frames are wiped down, and light fixtures, switches, and storage shelves are cleaned. Any leftover debris from construction work is removed, ensuring that transitional spaces in the property are just as clean and safe as the main rooms.
What’s Typically Not Included in Standard Builders Clean
Even professional builders cleans have certain limitations, and it’s important for homeowners and project managers to understand what is generally not included in a standard service. Deep cleaning of ductwork or HVAC systems usually falls outside a typical builders clean,, as these require specialised equipment and expertise. Similarly, moving or relocating heavy furniture is not generally part of the standard package, since it involves additional risk and labour. Exterior pressure cleaning, such as driveways, patios, or building facades, is often offered as an optional add-on rather than a default service. Finally, repairing any damages left by construction such as scratches, dents, or paint chips is not included, as this falls under the responsibility of the builder or contractor rather than the cleaning team. Understanding these boundaries helps set clear expectations and ensures that both clients and cleaners are aligned on the service covers.
Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance
Construction sites can present a variety of hazards that make safety a top priority during a Post-Construction clean. Dust, nails, screws, and paint splatters are common on newly built or renovated properties and can pose risks to both cleaners and occupants. To mitigate these dangers, professional cleaners always use appropriate Personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, and goggles, to ensure their safety while performing tasks. Additionally, a thorough quality inspection is conducted to verify that all surfaces meet professional standards, leaving the property safe and polished. Adhering to these safety measures also helps ensure compliance with local building codes and occupational health and safety regulations, protecting both the cleaning team and the property owner.
Conclusion
A builders clean is far more than just sweeping and dusting. It’s a systematic, room-by-room cleaning process designed to make your newly constructed or renovated property safe, hygienic, and visually pristine. From living areas to bathrooms, kitchens, and storage spaces, every surface, fixture, and material requires careful attention.
Professional builders cleaners use specialized tools, HEPA vacuums, safe chemicals, and meticulous techniques to ensure that the property meets handover standards. Understanding the scope of a builders clean helps homeowners set realistic expectations and ensures construction cleaning professionals deliver high-quality results.
Whether you are a homeowner, project manager, or cleaning contractor, following a room-by-room builders clean checklist guarantees a smooth transition from a dusty construction site to a comfortable, ready-to-live space.
FAQS :
1. What does a builder’s clean include?
A builder’s clean is a detailed cleaning service performed after construction or renovation work. It typically includes removing debris like leftover wood, screws, plaster, and packaging, vacuuming and dusting all surfaces, cleaning windows, frames, and glass, wiping down walls and ceilings, scrubbing kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and mopping or buffing floors. The goal is to make the property safe, dust-free, and ready for occupancy or handover.
2. What is expected from a builder’s clean?
From a builder’s clean, you should expect a thorough removal of dust, construction residues, adhesive marks, and paint splatters. Surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, bathroom vanities, floors, doors, handles, and light fittings are cleaned and polished. Windows, mirrors, and glass panels are wiped free of smudges. Essentially, every room should be hygienic, safe, and visually ready for homeowners or clients to enter.
3. What to charge for a builder’s clean?
The cost of a builder’s clean varies depending on property size, the extent of construction work, and the level of cleaning required. On average, residential properties can range from $300 to $1,200, while commercial or large-scale projects may cost significantly more. Charges may be calculated per hour, per square meter, or as a fixed project fee. Optional add-ons, like exterior pressure cleaning or carpet steam cleaning, can increase the total price.
4. What is the hourly rate for a builder in Australia?
Hourly rates for professional builder cleaning services in Australia generally range from $40 to $70 per hour for a single cleaner. Rates can increase for larger teams, specialized equipment, or urgent clean-ups. The total cost depends on the hours required to complete all cleaning tasks to a professional standard.
5. How to clean a room after construction?
To clean a room after construction:
- Begin with a rough clean, removing large debris like wood scraps, nails, plaster, and packaging.
- Vacuum and dust all surfaces, including ceilings, walls, light fittings, vents, and skirting boards.
- Clean windows, frames, and tracks, removing stickers and adhesive residues.
- Wipe down furniture, cabinets, and doors.
- Mop hard floors and vacuum carpets or rugs.
- Finish with a quality inspection to ensure no dust, residues, or hazards remain.
6. What is the difference between builders clean and final clean?
A builders clean focuses on removing construction debris, dust, and residues from all rooms, making the property safe and hygienic. It is performed before a property is handed over or occupied. A final clean is more detailed and polish-focused, often after a builders clean, including polishing surfaces, deep cleaning carpets, detailing fixtures, and ensuring the property is presentation-ready for clients or homeowners.
7. How to clean dust after builders?
Cleaning dust after builders involves using HEPA-filter vacuums for fine dust, dusting walls, ceilings, and vents, wiping skirting boards and window sills, and mopping or vacuuming floors. High-touch surfaces like switches, handles, and countertops should be wiped down to remove residual dust. Using microfiber cloths helps trap dust instead of spreading it around.
8. How to clean fine dust in house after construction?
Fine dust can be tackled by first using a HEPA vacuum on all surfaces, including floors, furniture, and vents. Follow with damp microfiber cloths to wipe down walls, shelves, and skirting boards. Air vents and filters should be cleaned or replaced, and windows and glass should be polished. Multiple cleaning passes are often needed because fine dust tends to resettle.
9. Is post-construction cleaning necessary?
Yes, post-construction cleaning is essential. Construction leaves behind dust, debris, and chemical residues that can affect air quality, cause allergies, and create slip or injury hazards. A professional builders clean ensures the property is safe, hygienic, and ready for use, preventing potential health issues and improving the overall presentation for homeowners or clients.
10. What should I expect from After Builders Cleaning?
After builders cleaning should leave the property spotless and ready for occupancy. Expect thorough debris removal, dust-free surfaces, clean windows, polished floors, sanitized kitchens and bathrooms, and attention to high-touch areas. Professionals should inspect all rooms, ensuring no construction residues remain, and that the property meets safety and presentation standards.