You have signed off the works, the skip has gone and the new kitchen looks superb, until the light hits it. Construction dust is on every surface, in every track, and it will keep reappearing for weeks. That is the problem after builders cleaning exists to solve.
This guide covers what the service actually involves, the three stages it is normally split into, when to book each one, and what it costs in London in 2026.
What after builders cleaning actually is
After builders cleaning, also called post-construction or post-renovation cleaning, is a specialist one-off clean that removes construction residue and makes a newly finished property fit to occupy. It is not a deep clean with a different name. The materials are different and so is the method.
A domestic clean deals with grease, dust and general soiling. A post-construction clean deals with plaster and gypsum dust, cement and grout haze, silicone smears, paint splashes, adhesive and tape residue, protective film, sawdust and fine metal filings.
Why a normal clean will not work
- Construction dust is far finer than household dust. A standard vacuum blows it straight back through the filter and redistributes it around the property.
- It is alkaline and abrasive. Wiped dry across new glass, chrome or a painted wall, it scratches.
- It settles in stages. Disturbed air drops a fresh layer for days, which is why a single pass never works.
- New surfaces are vulnerable. The wrong product will dull natural stone, streak new paint, mark untreated timber or damage a freshly sealed floor.
- It gets everywhere: window tracks, socket faces, radiator fins, hinges, extract vents and inside cupboard runners.
The three stages of a post-construction clean
Stage 1: Rough clean (during or immediately after works)
Removal of leftover debris, offcuts, packaging, protective sheeting and tape. Bulk vacuuming and sweeping. This is normally done before final finishes go in, and often falls to the contractor.
Stage 2: Deep clean (the main after builders clean)
The substantive job. Full HEPA vacuuming top to bottom, wet wiping of every surface, removal of paint, silicone, grout haze and adhesive, degreasing, descaling, glass and frame cleaning, and cleaning inside every unit, cupboard and appliance.
Stage 3: Sparkle or touch-up clean
A final pass 24 to 72 hours later, once settled dust has reappeared and any snagging work is finished. Glass, chrome, floors and worktops are re-polished so the property is genuinely handover-ready. On rentals and new-build handovers this stage is what separates a good result from a complaint.
What is included in a professional after builders clean
- HEPA-filtered vacuuming of all floors, walls, ceilings, ledges and skirting
- Removal of plaster, cement and grout haze from tiles and stone
- Paint splash, silicone, adhesive and sticker residue removal
- Protective film removal from windows, appliances and sanitaryware
- Interior and exterior window cleaning including frames, sills and tracks
- Full kitchen: units inside and out, appliances, extractor, worktops, sink and taps
- Full bathrooms: sanitaryware, screens, tiling, grout lines and chrome
- Doors, frames, architraves, skirting, radiators, sockets and switch plates
- Light fittings, vents, air bricks and extract grilles
- Floor-appropriate treatment: sealed timber, LVT, natural stone or tile each need a different approach
- Removal of cleaning waste from site
When do you need it?
Book a post-construction clean whenever dust-generating work has taken place, which is most projects:
- Kitchen or bathroom refits
- Loft conversions and side return or rear extensions
- Full property refurbishments and gut renovations
- Wall removals, replastering or new plasterboard
- New flooring, tiling or staircase installation
- Window or door replacement
- Commercial fit-outs, shop refits and office strip-outs
- New-build handovers before completion or first occupation
Landlords and developers should treat it as non-negotiable. A tenant or buyer walking into visible dust on a handover day is the fastest way to start a relationship badly, which is why most projects in the capital use dedicated after builders cleaning specialists in London rather than a general domestic cleaner.
How much does after builders cleaning cost?
London market rates in 2026, for a post-works deep clean of an empty property:
| Property | Typical London price |
|---|---|
| Single room refit (e.g. one bathroom) | £130 – £220 |
| Studio or 1 bed flat after light works | £180 – £280 |
| 2 – 3 bed flat or house after moderate works | £250 – £420 |
| 4 – 5 bed house after extensive works | £400 – £700+ |
| Commercial or new build | Priced per m² after a site visit |
Hourly rates in London sit around £25–£35 per cleaner. Most reputable firms quote a fixed price after seeing photographs or visiting, because condition varies enormously between two properties of the same size. Extensive works, heavy grout haze, high ceilings or large glazed areas all push the figure up.
Should you do it yourself?
You can, on a small single-room refit. On anything larger it is usually a false economy, for three reasons. It takes far longer than people expect, typically two to three full days for a modest flat. Domestic vacuums are frequently ruined by fine dust, which is a hidden cost of its own. And the risk of damaging new finishes with the wrong product falls entirely on you, at a point where every surface in the property is brand new.
How to choose a contractor
- Confirm they do post-construction work specifically, not general domestic cleaning.
- Check they carry public liability insurance, and ask for the certificate.
- Ask what vacuum filtration they use. HEPA should be the answer.
- Ask how they handle natural stone, new paintwork and sealed timber.
- Confirm whether a sparkle or touch-up visit is included or extra.
- Get the scope in writing, including window exteriors and waste removal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
A small flat is usually one day with a team of two or three. A large refurbished house can take two to four days across the deep clean and the sparkle visit.
Should I book before or after the furniture goes in?
Before, always. An empty property is cleaned faster, more thoroughly and more cheaply.
Is it not the builder’s job?
Most contracts include a basic tidy and debris removal, not a finished clean. Check your contract wording. In practice the two are usually treated as separate trades.
Why is dust still appearing a week later?
Because it was disturbed and airborne rather than removed. That is exactly what the sparkle stage is for, and it is the reason a single pass is rarely enough.
In summary
After builders cleaning is a specialist trade dealing with specialist mess. Plan it into the project timeline rather than treating it as an afterthought, book it while the property is still empty, and allow for a follow-up visit once the last of the dust has settled.
