Builders leave. The dust doesn't. Fine construction dust settles on every horizontal surface, inside every cupboard and into every vent for days after work finishes, and paint, plaster and silicone end up in places nobody intended. This checklist shows what a proper after builders clean should cover — whether you're a homeowner finishing a renovation or a contractor handing over.
Builders' clean vs sparkle clean
A builders' clean happens once trades have finished: debris and packaging removed, bulk dust vacuumed, surfaces given a first wipe so snagging can happen. A sparkle clean is the final detailed clean after snagging, to a "ready to live in / hand over" standard. Large projects need both; most domestic renovations just need the sparkle clean, 24–48 hours after the last trade leaves.
Preparation
- Remove debris, offcuts, packaging and protective film (or coordinate with the skip)
- Check power, water and lighting are on; check new appliances are connected
- Ventilate; HEPA-filter vacuums only — domestic vacuums blow fine dust straight back out
Ceilings, walls and woodwork
- Ceilings, coving and cornices de-dusted
- Walls dry-dusted (new paint is fragile — no wet wiping unless cured)
- Door frames, architraves, tops of doors, skirting boards washed
- Paint and plaster splashes removed from woodwork with appropriate care
Windows and glass
- Glass cleaned inside and out; paint, plaster and silicone spots scraped carefully
- Frames, sills, tracks and glazing beads cleaned; labels and film removed
- Mirrors, shower screens and glass splashbacks
Kitchen
- All units and drawers cleaned inside and out; shelves and runners wiped; sawdust and dust vacuumed from carcasses
- Worktops cleaned; adhesive and silicone smears removed; protective film peeled
- Appliances unwrapped, labels removed, cleaned inside and out
- Sink, taps and plumbing polished; grout haze removed from tiles
Bathrooms
- Sanitaryware polished; labels and film removed
- Tiles cleaned; grout and silicone haze removed
- Shower screens and enclosures cleaned; chrome polished
- Extractor fan cover cleaned
Fixtures, fittings and services
- Light fittings, switches, sockets and thermostats wiped (dust inside sockets vacuumed, power off)
- Radiators cleaned front, top and behind
- Vents, extractors and grilles cleaned
- Built-in wardrobes and cupboards inside and out
Floors — always last
- Hard floors vacuumed (HEPA), then scrubbed and mopped; adhesive, plaster and grout haze removed
- New laminate and wood cleaned with manufacturer-approved products only
- Carpets HEPA-vacuumed slowly with edges detailed; extraction cleaned if dust has penetrated
- Thresholds, stair edges and under radiators detailed
Outside
- Paths, patios and driveways swept; mortar and debris cleared
- External windows, doors and frames cleaned
- Bin store and access routes tidied
Pricing and timing
After builders cleans are priced by the hour per cleaner (from £20) or as a fixed price per property (a typical whole-house sparkle clean from £250). Multi-unit schemes are priced per unit or per m². Expect some dust to resettle for a few days — a follow-up wipe-down is often worthwhile. See after builders cleaning in Manchester.
About the author: this article was written by the team at Danitam Multi Resource Cleaning Services, professional cleaners based in Wythenshawe, Manchester, providing domestic, commercial and specialist cleaning across Greater Manchester. Guide prices are correct at the time of publication and are reviewed regularly.