A new build or renovation is not finished when the contractors leave — it is finished when it is clean enough to hand over. Construction dust is finer and more persistent than household dust: it settles inside cupboards, on top of door frames and inside window tracks. Here is what a proper builders' clean covers.
Before cleaning starts
Confirm all trades are truly done — cleaning before the last painter or fundi leaves means doing it twice. Check that water and power are connected, since extraction machines and pressure sprayers need both. And photograph any damage (scratched glass, chipped tiles) before cleaning so the record is honest.
Dust first, top to bottom
Work high to low: ceiling corners, light fittings, top of door frames, walls, then surfaces, then floors last. Dry dusting and vacuuming come before any wet work — adding water to construction dust makes mud.
Windows and frames
Remove stickers and tape residue first (a plastic scraper, never a blade on glass). Clear tracks and sills of grit, then wash glass last, after the surrounding dust is gone — otherwise it streaks. Check frames for paint overspray.
Floors
Sweep and vacuum thoroughly before mopping. Ceramic tiles need grout haze removed; wooden floors need barely-damp cleaning; epoxy and terrazzo each have their own approach. Paint spots lift with a plastic scraper at a shallow angle.
Kitchen and bathrooms
Inside every cupboard and drawer — dust hides there. Clean and polish fittings, remove protective films from appliances, sanitise sinks, toilets and showers. Check that grout and silicone are clean, not smeared.
Final details
Switches, sockets and handles get wiped — they are the most-touched surfaces in a new house. Cobwebs at ceiling height, dust on skirting boards, and a final full-floor mop complete the handover.
Or hand it to a team
A builders' clean on a typical three-bedroom new build takes a trained team a full day or more, with the right equipment. Our post-construction cleaning service always starts with a site visit and a written quote — request a quote and we will assess the job properly.