Factory builders cleaning is an essential final step in industrial construction projects, ensuring the site is safe, compliant, and ready for handover. After construction is completed, factories often contain dust, debris, paint residue, and other materials that can create safety risks and fail inspection standards. Proper cleaning improves workplace safety, enhances the overall presentation of the facility, and ensures it meets regulatory and operational requirements before use.
In Sydney, the cost of factory builders cleaning can vary based on several factors, including factory size, industry type, and the level of cleaning required. Facilities with high ceilings, complex layouts, or strict compliance needs may require more time, labor, and specialized equipment. This pricing guide outlines typical costs, what services are included, and the key factors that influence pricing, helping builders and project managers plan budgets with confidence and accuracy.
What Are Factory Builders Cleaning?
Factory builders cleaning is a professional post-construction service carried out after all building or renovation work is completed. It focuses on removing construction dust, debris, paint residue, adhesives, and other leftover materials to ensure the factory is safe, compliant, and ready for operational use. This type of cleaning is essential to meet safety standards, pass inspections, and present the facility in a clean, professional condition.
Manufacturing Plants
Manufacturing plants require detailed cleaning to remove fine dust and residue from machinery areas and production floors. Clean environments help prevent equipment contamination and support safe working conditions. Proper cleaning also ensures compliance with industry and workplace safety standards.
Warehouses
Warehouses often accumulate large amounts of dust and debris due to open spaces and high ceilings. Builders cleaning ensures floors, storage areas, and access points are clean and safe for movement. This reduces slip hazards and prepares the space for storage and logistics operations.
Processing Facilities
Processing facilities demand thorough cleaning to meet strict hygiene and operational requirements. Removing construction residue helps maintain cleanliness in sensitive areas. This supports compliance with inspection and quality standards before production begins.
Industrial Workshops
Industrial workshops require cleaning to remove grease, metal dust, and construction waste. A clean workshop improves safety, visibility, and workflow efficiency. Builders cleaning ensures the space is ready for equipment installation and daily operations.
Average Factory Builders Cleaning Costs in Sydney
In Sydney, factory builders cleaning typically costs between $3.50 and $8.00 per square metro, depending on the scope of work.
Estimated Cost by Factory Size
- Small factories (up to 500 sqm): $1,800 – $3,500
- Medium factories (500–2,000 sqm): $3,500 – $10,000
- Large factories (2,000+ sqm): $10,000 – $30,000+
Larger facilities often receive lower per-square-metre rates but higher overall costs due to time, labor, and machinery requirements.
Key Factors That Affect Factory Cleaning Costs
Factory Size and Layout
Larger factories require more labor hours and cleaning resources to cover the entire space effectively.
High ceilings, mezzanine floors, and storage racks increase cleaning complexity and access time.
Complex layouts slow down movement and equipment use, which raises overall cleaning costs.
Level of Construction Residue
Light dust and surface cleaning:
Factories with minimal dust and surface-level dirt require less time and fewer cleaning products.
Standard cleaning methods are usually sufficient to achieve acceptable results.
This results in lower overall cleaning costs.
Heavy concrete, paint, oil, or adhesives:
Stubborn residues require specialized tools, chemicals, and manual scrubbing.
Removing these materials is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
This significantly increases the total cleaning cost.
Unfinished or rough surfaces:
Rough or porous surfaces trap dust and construction residue more easily.
Extra effort is needed to clean these areas thoroughly and safely.
Deeper cleaning increases both labor time and cost.
Industry Type and Compliance
Food and beverage factories:
These facilities require strict hygiene and sanitation standards.
Cleaning must meet health and safety regulations before operation begins.
This level of detail increases pricing.
Pharmaceutical and medical facilities:
High-level cleanliness and contamination control are essential in these environments.
Specialized cleaning procedures are often required.
Compliance requirements raise cleaning costs.
Chemical processing plants:
Chemical residues require safe handling and specialized cleaning methods.
Strict safety protocols must be followed at all times.
This adds to labor and equipment costs.
General manufacturing units:
Standard industrial cleaning is usually sufficient for these facilities.
Cleaning focuses on dust, debris, and surface residue.
Costs are typically lower compared to high-risk industries.
Height and Access Requirements
Scissor lifts:
Used for cleaning mid-height walls, lighting, and fixtures.
Setup and operation add time to the cleaning process.
This increases overall costs.
Boom lifts:
Required for high ceilings, beams, and roof structures.
These machines are more complex and costly to operate.
Their use raises cleaning expenses.
Safety harness systems:
Necessary for working at height in restricted areas.
Additional safety measures slow down cleaning work.
This results in higher labor costs.
Cleaning Scope and Detail Level
Machinery and equipment cleaning:
Cleaning around or on machinery requires extra care and time.
Specialized techniques are often needed to avoid damage.
This increases the cleaning cost.
Floor scrubbing, degreasing, and sealing:
Heavy-duty floor treatments require industrial equipment and chemicals.
Multiple cleaning stages may be involved.
This raises labor and material costs.
Air vent and duct cleaning:
Dust buildup inside vents requires specialized access and tools.
Cleaning these areas improves air quality but takes more time.
This adds to the overall cost.
External hard-surface and loading dock cleaning:
Outdoor areas are exposed to heavy dirt and construction residue.
Pressure washing and degreasing are often required.
These services increase the total cleaning price.
Factory Builders Cleaning Cost Breakdown by Activity
Floor Scrubbing and Degreasing ($2.00 – $4.00 per sqm)
Removes dust, grease, and construction stains from factory floors using industrial equipment.
Costs vary based on floor condition and level of contamination.
Wall and Ceiling Dust Removal ($1.50 – $3.00 per sqm)
Cleans fine dust from walls and high surfaces to maintain safety and cleanliness.
Pricing depends on ceiling height and access requirements.
Window and Skylight Cleaning ($5 – $12 per panel)
Removes construction marks to improve light and visibility.
Costs depend on panel size, height, and access difficulty.
Pressure Washing – External Areas ($4 – $8 per sqm)
Cleans heavy dirt and residue from loading docks and outdoor surfaces.
Pricing varies by surface type and cleaning intensity.
Hazardous Waste Removal (Custom Pricing)
Handles chemical and hazardous materials using safety-compliant methods.
Costs are customized based on risk and disposal requirements.
Prices may vary depending on site conditions and safety requirements.
Different Factories, Different Cleaning Challenges
Each factory has its own cleaning challenges based on its purpose, size, and construction materials. Warehouses often require extensive dust removal across large open areas, while food-grade facilities need deep sanitation to meet hygiene standards. Heavy manufacturing and chemical factories may contain grease, oil, or hazardous residues that require specialized cleaning methods.
A professional factory builders cleaning company evaluates these site-specific challenges before providing a final quote. This assessment ensures the correct cleaning approach, equipment, and safety measures are applied, resulting in accurate pricing and effective cleaning outcomes.
Safe and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices
Modern factory cleaning in Sydney increasingly focuses on using environmentally friendly and safe methods. These practices reduce harmful chemical exposure, protect workers, and support sustainability goals without compromising cleaning quality.
Low-VOC and biodegradable cleaning agents:
Using low-VOC and biodegradable products minimizes harmful fumes and environmental impact.
They effectively clean surfaces while keeping the workspace safe for staff.
Proper waste disposal and recycling:
Construction and cleaning waste is sorted and disposed of responsibly. Recycling materials reduces landfill impact and promotes sustainability. The Standards for managing construction waste in NSW outline best practices for safe disposal.
Compliance with Work Health & Safety (WHS) standards:
Cleaning practices follow strict WHS guidelines to ensure worker safety.
This prevents accidents and ensures legal and regulatory compliance.
Tools and Machines Used in Factory Builders Cleaning
Professional factory cleaning relies on industrial-grade tools and machines to ensure efficiency and thorough results. Using the right equipment helps complete tasks safely, quickly, and to a high standard.
Ride-on and walk-behind floor scrubbers:
Used for deep cleaning large floor areas efficiently.
They remove dust, dirt, and stains while reducing manual labor.
High-pressure washers:
Ideal for external surfaces, loading docks, and stubborn residues.
They deliver powerful cleaning for concrete, asphalt, and metal surfaces.
HEPA-filtered vacuum systems:
Capture fine dust and allergens that regular vacuums can’t remove.
Essential for maintaining clean air quality inside the factory. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration emphasizes the use of HEPA filters for controlling hazardous dust in construction environments.
Scissor lifts and boom lifts:
Provide safe access to high ceilings, beams, and lighting fixtures.
Enable thorough cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.
Industrial degreasers and polishers:
Remove grease, oil, and tough stains from machinery and floors.
Ensure surfaces are safe, polished, and inspection-ready.
How Long Does Factory Builders Cleaning Take?
Small factories (1–2 days):
Smaller facilities with limited debris and lower ceilings can be cleaned quickly using standard equipment and fewer workers.
Medium-sized factories (2–4 days):
These sites require more time due to larger floor areas, storage zones, and moderate construction residue
Large or complex factories (5–7 days or more):
Large factories involve extensive floor space, high-level cleaning, and detailed work across multiple zones.
Heavy construction debris:
Concrete residue, paint overspray, and adhesives increase cleaning time due to additional scrubbing and removal work.
High ceilings and hard-to-reach areas:
Cleaning elevated beams, vents, and lighting requires access equipment, which slows the process.
Detailed handover cleaning:
Handover-level cleaning takes longer as it includes deep sanitation and final inspection-ready detailing.
When Should Builders Schedule Factory Cleaning?
After all construction work is completed:
Cleaning should begin only once building activities finish to avoid repeated dust and debris buildup.
Avoid active trade work on-site:
Ongoing work can undo cleaning progress and increase overall time and cost.
Before final inspections or handover:
Scheduling cleaning before inspections ensures the factory meets safety and presentation standards.
Allow time for touch-ups:
Extra time helps address minor issues identified during inspections or client walkthroughs.
Early booking for large projects:
Advanced scheduling ensures cleaner availability and proper planning for large-scale facilities.
What’s Included in Factory Builders Cleaning?
Construction dust and debris removal:
Loose dust, packaging materials, and leftover waste are cleared from all areas of the factory.
Floor, wall, and surface cleaning:
All surfaces are cleaned to remove stains, residue, and fine dust from construction work.
Doors, frames, and windows:
Glass, frames, and entry points are cleaned to provide a polished, professional appearance.
High-level dusting:
Ceilings, beams, vents, and lighting fixtures are cleaned to eliminate hidden dust buildup.
Degreasing and stain removal:
Oil, grease, and tough stains are treated using industrial-grade cleaning solutions.
Waste collection and disposal:
All waste materials are safely collected and disposed of according to site regulations.
Basic Builders Clean vs Detailed Handover Clean
Basic Builders Clean
- Dust removal
- Surface wipe-downs
- Waste collection
Cost: $3.50 – $5.00 per sqm
Detailed Handover Clean
- Deep floor cleaning
- High-level dusting
- Final polishing and detailing
- Inspection-ready finish
Cost: $5.50 – $8.00+ per sqm
Handover cleaning is recommended before final inspections or operational launch.
Why Professional Factory Builders Cleaning Is Worth the Cost
Hiring professionals:
- Reduces workplace safety risks
- Supports insurance and compliance requirements
- Saves time for builders and project managers
- Ensures a professional, inspection-ready facility
Cutting corners on cleaning can lead to failed inspections, delays, or safety incidents. A research paper on janitorial costs from UNC Charlotte shows how effective cleaning investments pay off in long-term facility maintenance.
How to Get an Accurate Cleaning Quote in Sydney
Getting an accurate factory cleaning quote in Sydney requires providing key project details to the cleaning company. Clear information ensures the quote reflects the actual work, time, and resources needed.
Total factory size (sqm):
The overall area determines labor, cleaning materials, and equipment requirements.
Larger spaces generally increase the total cost.
Industry type:
Different industries have varying hygiene and compliance standards.
Specialized cleaning for food, pharmaceutical, or chemical facilities may cost more.
Ceiling height and access points:
High ceilings or hard-to-reach areas require lifts or scaffolding.
These add time, equipment needs, and cost to the project.
Required cleaning scope:
Specify whether basic builders cleaning or detailed handover cleaning is needed.
The level of detail directly affects labor and pricing.
Handover deadline:
Tight timelines may require additional workforce or equipment.
Early notice helps schedule efficiently and may reduce costs.
Final Thoughts
Factory builders cleaning costs in Sydney depend on size, complexity, and compliance needs. Investing in professional cleaning ensures your factory is safe, compliant, and ready for operation. Understanding the cost breakdown helps builders plan budgets and avoid unexpected expenses.
FAQs Factory Builders Cleaning Cost Breakdown
What is factory builders cleaning?
Factory builders cleaning is a professional post-construction cleaning service that removes dust, debris, paint, and hazardous residues from industrial facilities before handover.
How much does factory builders cleaning cost in Sydney?
Prices typically range from $3.50 to $8.00 per square metre, depending on factory size, cleaning complexity, and industry type.
What factors affect the cost of factory cleaning?
Costs depend on factory size, layout, ceiling height, industry compliance requirements, construction residue level, and cleaning scope.
Are there different types of factory builders cleaning?
Yes. There is a basic builders clean (dust removal and surface cleaning) and a detailed handover clean (deep cleaning, polishing, and inspection-ready finish).
Do industrial cleaners handle hazardous materials?
Professional cleaners follow safety protocols for chemical residues, oils, adhesives, and other hazardous construction waste.
What tools and machines are used in factory cleaning?
Industrial-grade floor scrubbers, HEPA-filtered vacuums, pressure washers, scissor lifts, and specialized degreasers are commonly used.
Why is professional cleaning important for factories?
It ensures safety, compliance with WHS standards, supports insurance requirements, and prepares the facility for inspections and operations.
How can I get an accurate cleaning quote in Sydney?
Provide your factory size, industry type, ceiling height, cleaning scope, and required handover date. Most companies offer a site inspection for precise pricing.