The builders have packed up, the decorators have finished and your new kitchen, extension or loft conversion is finally complete. There’s just one problem: a fine layer of dust on absolutely everything, paint splashes on the windows and a strange haze on the new tiles.
An after-builders clean (also called a post-construction or builders’ clean) is designed for exactly this moment. In this article we’ll explain what it involves, why construction dust is so difficult to deal with, and how to plan your final clean.
Why construction dust is different
Household dust is mostly fibres, skin cells and outdoor dirt. Construction dust is made up of extremely fine particles of plaster, cement, wood, stone and paint. It’s so fine that:
- It stays suspended in the air for hours and settles long after work has stopped.
- It gets into cupboards, drawers and rooms where no work was done.
- Ordinary vacuum cleaners can pass it straight through their filters and blow it back into the room.
- Wiping it with a dry cloth smears it into a white film.
Some construction dust, particularly from cutting stone, concrete and some boards, contains fine particles that can irritate the lungs. That’s why proper removal matters for your health, not just appearance.
What’s included in an after-builders clean?
A professional after-builders clean is far more detailed than a normal clean. It typically includes:
Dust removal
- HEPA-filtered vacuuming of floors, skirting boards, sills, vents and soft furnishings
- Damp wiping of walls, doors, frames and ceilings where needed
- Cleaning on top of door frames, cupboards and architraves
- Wiping light fittings, sockets and switches
Removing building residues
- Paint splashes and overspray on glass, frames and floors
- Plaster, filler and cement marks
- Grout haze on new tiles
- Silicone and adhesive residue
- Protective films and labels on windows, appliances and sanitaryware
Kitchens and bathrooms
- Inside and outside of all cupboards and drawers
- Appliances wiped down and protective films removed
- Sanitaryware, taps and showers cleaned and polished
- Tiles and grout cleaned
Windows and floors
- Windows, frames, sills and tracks cleaned inside, and outside where accessible
- Hard floors vacuumed and washed, sometimes more than once
- Carpets vacuumed thoroughly, with deep cleaning if needed
The three stages of a builders’ clean
On larger projects, cleaning is often split into stages:
- Rough or builders’ clean during construction, to clear debris and heavy dust so work can continue safely.
- Main clean once all trades are finished: the full top-to-bottom clean described above.
- Sparkle clean just before handover or move-in, to polish glass, chrome and surfaces and remove the final layer of dust that settles after the main clean.
For a single room renovation, a main clean and a quick sparkle clean are usually enough.
When should you book?
Book your after-builders clean for after the last trade has finished, including painters and decorators, and after any snagging work. If someone needs to come back to drill or sand, you’ll have more dust to deal with. Try to leave a day or two between the end of the work and the final clean to let airborne dust settle.
Can I do it myself?
You can, but be prepared for it to take much longer than you expect. Construction dust often needs two or three passes to remove completely, and removing paint, grout haze and adhesive without scratching new surfaces requires the right tools and products. Many homeowners find that after weeks or months of building work, paying for a professional clean is money well spent.
Protect your new finishes
New surfaces can be delicate. Some tips:
- Don’t use abrasive pads on new glass, acrylic baths or gloss kitchens.
- Use pH-neutral products on natural stone.
- Check flooring manufacturers’ care guides before using steam or strong chemicals.
- Leave new grout and sealants to cure for the recommended time before scrubbing.
Don’t forget outside
Skips, deliveries and muddy boots can leave driveways and paths stained. A professional driveway jet wash is a great way to finish a project. Inside, construction dust also settles into carpets and upholstery, so a carpet clean can be worthwhile too.
Post-construction cleaning in Weston-super-Mare and Bristol
TIME2SHINE provides after-builders cleaning for homeowners, landlords, builders and developers across Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset and Bristol. We use HEPA-filtered vacuums, specialist removers and careful hand cleaning to take properties from dusty to spotless, ready for living or handover.
Just finished a project? Click Get a Quote and we’ll arrange a fixed-price clean.