After Builders Cleaning Prices

Building work can leave a layer of fine dust over almost everything in your home, even after the builders have packed up and gone. Plaster dust, sawdust and paint marks often settle on skirting boards, windowsills and inside kitchen cupboards, and they can take a lot of time to clear properly.

An after-builders clean is designed to tackle this mess, and for most UK homes, it costs around £130–£450. The final price depends on the size of your property, how much building work was carried out and how much cleaning is needed.

In this guide, we look at after-builders cleaning prices by property size, hourly rate and floor area. We also cover what’s usually included, what might cost extra and how to get the most out of your quotes.

How Much Does an After Builders Clean Cost?

An after-builders clean typically costs between £130 and £450 for homes in the UK.

With that said, the final price will depend on the size of your property and how much cleaning is needed.

An after-builders clean is all about removing the dust and residue left behind by building work. Fine plaster dust can settle throughout a home and needs to be cleaned carefully.

Skirting boards, windowsills and cupboards in kitchens usually gather dust after building work.

Cleaners who offer after-builders cleaning can help with fine dust and residue using suitable equipment. Suspected asbestos, lead-containing dust or other hazardous contamination needs appropriate assessment and handling before routine cleaning begins.

After Builders Cleaning Prices

These prices are just guidelines. Costs can be higher in London and the South East. If a property needs extensive additional cleaning, the total could reach £650 or more.

You should check whether cleaning products, equipment and VAT are included in all quotes provided.

After Builders Cleaning Prices by Property Size

Depending on the size of your home and the amount of building work carried out, the costs of the cleaning job will vary.

Studio or One-Bedroom Flat

If you live in a small flat, expect to pay between £130 and £220 for a clean after building work.

Two-Bedroom Flat or House

Expect to pay around £180-£250, but the overall price depends on how many rooms are affected by the works.

Three-Bedroom House

A three-bedroom house will cost around £240-£320 for an after-builders clean-up because the extra space requires more labour.

Four-Bedroom House

Cleaning a four-bedroom house usually costs around £270-£350. If you've had a full renovation, expect to pay more than you would for work limited to one or two rooms.

Five-Bedroom Property or Larger

Larger homes can cost £300-£450 or more. Extensive building work, difficult access and additional cleaning requirements can push the price higher.

After Builders Cleaning Cost Per Hour

Cleaners may charge around £20-£40 per cleaner per hour for after-builders cleaning in 2026. Check whether an hourly quote is per person or for the whole team.

Some cleaners charge by the hour, while others provide a fixed price for the job.

The final labour cost depends on:

• How many cleaners the job takes
• How long the clean-up will take
• Whether there's a minimum booking period
• The amount of dust and residue in the house
• Travel and call-out charges

A team of two cleaners can finish the job faster than one cleaner. However, the total labour cost can still end up higher.

If your home is in London or the South East, after-builders clean-up rates may be higher than in other parts of the UK.

For more information, see our cleaner cost guide.

After Builders Cleaning Cost Per Square Metre

Some cleaning companies charge according to the total floor area or cost per square metre.

You could allow around £2-£6 per m² as a guide, although each cleaning company may have its own way of charging. This is an alternative to hourly or fixed-price quotes, not an extra fee on top.

The good thing about this type of pricing is that you can estimate costs ahead of the work based on your property’s size.

With that said, cleaning prices may still be higher than you initially thought if dust is thicker or the clean-up job requires more time.

What's Included in an After Builders Clean?

If you’re wondering what’s included in an after-builders clean, it will depend largely on the company.

Typical clean-ups include:

• Removing fine building dust from surfaces
• Hoovering the floors
• Mopping flooring
• Cleaning skirting boards, doors and frames
• Wiping window frames and sills
• Cleaning sockets and switches
• Removing light paint or plaster marks
• Wiping kitchen surfaces and cupboard fronts
• Cleaning bathroom fittings
• Polishing

Make sure to get an itemised list of the cleaning involved from the cleaning company so that you know what to expect.

Some companies do charge extra for cleaning interior windows, for example.

What Isn't Usually Included?

An after-builders clean doesn't always cover every job left over after building work.

Sometimes, you might have to pay extra for:

• Large quantities of builders' waste
• Skip hire
• Hazardous waste removal
• Asbestos-containing materials
• External window cleaning
• Carpet and fabric cleaning
• Pressure washing
• Removing stubborn cement, grout, adhesive or paint deposits

If your builders have left old tiles, plasterboard or timber behind, this will usually need to be removed as a separate job. Suspected hazardous materials should be assessed and handled separately before routine cleaning.

What Affects After Builders Cleaning Prices?

There are a number of things that can affect the overall cost of after-builders cleaning.

The Size of a Property

Larger homes will generally take longer to clean, making property size an important factor in pricing.

Extent of the Building Work

A full renovation creates more dust and debris than a small bathroom makeover. Put simply, the more work carried out, the more cleaning required.

The State of the Property

Heavy plaster dust, sawdust, paint marks and adhesive residue will all affect how long a clean-up takes, pushing prices up.

Number of Cleaners

A large team of cleaners will carry out the clean-up work quicker than a solo cleaner, but you should always check hourly rates to ensure no surprises.

Accessibility

Tricky-to-reach areas and upper floors usually require more effort when cleaning, which can add to the time needed for the work.

Waste Removal

Cleaning dust and removing building materials are two different jobs. For large quantities of waste, you’ll usually need a waste removal company.

Extra Services

Carpets, upholstery and external windows may all cost extra to clean.

Location

Prices vary across the UK, with London and parts of the South East costing more than some northern areas.

Additional After Builders Cleaning Costs

Sometimes you may have to pay additional after-builders cleaning costs. Here’s a handy list of services that may incur an extra charge:

These are approximate costs, and some services may cost more depending on the size of the job.

For more information, see our carpet cleaning cost guide, window cleaning cost guide, oven cleaning cost guide and pressure washing cost guide.

After Builders Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning

An after-builders clean involves more work than a standard clean; for this reason, the price is higher.

Regular cleaning mainly deals with everyday dirt, so it generally takes less time. After-builders cleaning may involve suitable equipment and products for fine dust and building residue.

Dust is especially challenging to clean after building work. It often settles in hidden areas such as cupboards and may require checking over again once cleaned.

After Builders Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning

A deep clean tackles built-up household dirt, grease and grime. An after-builders clean is carried out to get rid of the dust that’s left by construction or renovation work.

There is some similarity between these types of cleaning jobs, but they are different.

If you've recently had a kitchen fitted or walls replastered, check whether the cleaner offers after-builders cleaning. Ordinary domestic cleaning may not cover fine construction dust or building residue.

For more information, see our end of tenancy cleaning cost guide.

How Long Does an After Builders Clean Take?

Heavy dust, stubborn marks and extra services can all extend the job and the costs involved.

When Should You Book an After Builders Clean?

Once the main building work has been finished in your home, you’ll be able to book an after-builders clean.

Make sure that tools and larger waste are removed before getting a team in for an after-builders clean.

Sometimes, if you book the cleaning job too early, you can be charged extra or dust can settle again.

There may be an initial builders clean to remove the bulk of the dust, followed by a final clean once all work and decorating are done.

Can I Do an After Builders Clean Myself?

There are certain aspects of after-builders cleaning you might be able to carry out on your own, especially if it was just a small building job.

If there’s lots of fine dust in your property, consider booking an after-builders cleaner who has suitable equipment for the job. Ordinary household vacuum cleaners may not be suitable for collecting large amounts of fine construction dust.

If you decide to carry out the clean yourself, make sure you have suitable cleaning equipment and products. Be careful with newly installed surfaces, as abrasive sponges and scraping can cause damage.

Do not disturb suspected asbestos or other hazardous materials. Stop cleaning the affected area and seek advice from an appropriately trained contractor. Older paint and building dust may also need additional precautions.

For larger jobs, paying for an after-builders cleaning service may save you time.

Who Removes the Builders' Waste?

Builders' waste is removed either by the builder themselves or a waste removal company.

You could also consider hiring a skip to get rid of any builders' waste from your property.

Builders’ waste includes materials like plasterboard, timber, packaging, tiles and old kitchen or bathroom units.

Ask your builder whether waste removal is included in the building quote. Businesses carrying waste may need to register with the relevant environmental regulator. Check the requirements for your part of the UK and ask the waste company about its registration.

You can check the requirements for England on GOV.UK.

How Can I Reduce After Builders Cleaning Costs?

If you’re worried about the mess left after building work, there are a few ways to try and reduce cleaning costs.

• Ensure that builders remove any waste if they offer waste removal
• Keep renovation areas contained
• Clear furniture and belongings and store them where you can
• Agree which rooms and surfaces will need a clean
• Compare quotes
• Combine carpet, window or other cleaning services if you can

Don’t just go with the lowest quote you receive; instead, make sure to ask if everything is covered in the fee you’ll pay.

What Does an After Builders Cleaning Quote Include?

Before accepting a quote, check whether the price includes:

• Labour
• More than one cleaner
• Cleaning products
• Cleaning equipment like mops and cloths
• Internal window and frame cleaning
• Cupboards and kitchen surfaces
• Paint and plaster residue removal
• Carpet cleaning
• Waste removal
• Call-out charges
• VAT

After Builders Cleaning FAQs

Related Cost Guides

If you're finishing a renovation, these MyJobQuote guides may also be useful:

• Carpet Cleaning Cost
• Window Cleaning Cost
• Oven Cleaning Cost
• Pressure Washing Cost
• End of Tenancy Cleaning Cost
• Find a Local Cleaner

The figures in this guide should be used as a starting point when budgeting for an after-builders clean.