TL;DR — After Builders Cleaning Cost At A Glance
- Most people pay £150–£400 for an after builders clean outside London, rising to £250–£650 in London.
- Priced by property size or by the hour — expect roughly £20–£40 per hour where cleaners charge hourly.
- A studio or 1-bed flat typically costs £130–£220, a 3-bed house £240–£320, and a large house £300–£650.
- The main cost drivers are the amount of dust and debris, property size, London location, and access.
- Post-construction dust is fine and gets everywhere, so this is a specialist deep clean, not a standard visit.
- Booking the clean in phases — rough, deep, then final polish — gives the best finish after major work.
- Get a fixed price for an after builders clean — check prices and book online and have the dust and debris cleared professionally.
How Much Does After Builders Cleaning Cost In 2026?
An after builders clean in the UK costs £150–£400 on average, rising to £250–£650 in London for larger or heavily dusty properties. Cleaners either quote a fixed price by property size or charge £20–£40 per hour for the job. Because post-construction cleaning is far more intensive than a regular visit, it sits at the deep-clean end of pricing.
The reason it costs more is the nature of the mess. Building and renovation work leaves behind fine dust that settles into every surface, crevice and fitting, along with paint splatter, plaster, adhesive residue, grout haze and general debris. Removing all of it safely — without scratching new surfaces or spreading dust — takes specialist equipment, industrial vacuums and time. The dirtier and larger the site, the higher the price.
Here's what you can expect to pay, by location:
| Property size | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | £130 – £180 | £160 – £220 |
| 1 bed flat | £160 – £220 | £200 – £260 |
| 2 bed flat | £180 – £250 | £220 – £310 |
| 3 bed house | £240 – £320 | £270 – £390 |
| 4 bed house | £270 – £350 | £300 – £450 |
| 5+ bed house | £300 – £450 | £350 – £650 |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the property, the amount of debris and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
After Builders Cleaning Cost By Stage
Larger projects are often cleaned in stages rather than a single pass. Understanding the phases helps you scope and budget the job:
| Stage | What it covers | Typical share of cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rough / initial clean | Removing debris, packaging, large waste and loose dust | Lowest — often hourly |
| Deep clean | Full dust removal, surfaces, fittings, paint and residue | The main cost band above |
| Final / sparkle clean | Polishing, glass, detailing before handover or move-in | Add-on, often £50–£150 |
For a single room or small renovation, one visit usually does it. For a full property refurbishment or an extension, a phased clean gives a noticeably better finish, because dust keeps settling for a day or two after the last surface is disturbed.
What Affects The Cost Of After Builders Cleaning?
Several factors decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. The Amount Of Dust And Debris
The single biggest driver. A light redecoration leaves far less mess than a full structural refurbishment. Heavy plaster dust, paint splatter and adhesive residue all add time.
2. Property Size And Number Of Rooms
More rooms and more surfaces mean more to clean. Pricing is usually banded by property size, with bathrooms and kitchens taking the most work.
3. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the rest of the UK, reflecting higher labour and disposal costs.
4. Access And Waste Removal
Upper floors, no lift, narrow access and leftover building waste all slow the job down. Removing rubble or bags of debris may be charged on top or need a separate skip.
5. Surface And Finish Types
Delicate new finishes — natural stone, hardwood, high-gloss units, large glazing — need careful, slower cleaning to avoid scratches, which can raise the price.
6. How Long After The Work
Cleaning immediately after the trades finish, while dust is still airborne, can mean an extra pass. Waiting a day or two for dust to settle often produces a cleaner result in a single visit.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in an after builders clean:
- Removal of dust from all surfaces, walls, skirting boards and ceilings
- Cleaning inside and outside cupboards, wardrobes and units
- Washing down doors, frames, switches, sockets and radiators
- Removing paint splatter, plaster spots, grout haze and adhesive residue
- Cleaning and descaling kitchens and bathrooms
- Internal windows, sills and frames; floors vacuumed and mopped
Usually charged separately:
- Removal of building waste, rubble or large debris
- Carpet and upholstery deep cleaning
- Exterior windows and high-level glazing
- Skip hire or multiple waste-disposal runs
- Specialist stone or floor sealing
Always confirm whether waste removal is included, as leftover building debris is the most common source of an unexpected extra.
Can You Do It Yourself?
For a small, contained job — a repainted room or a single new fitting — a careful DIY clean is realistic. You'll need a good vacuum with fine-dust filtration, plenty of cloths and the right products for new finishes, plus time and patience.
For a full renovation, professional after builders cleaning is usually worth it. Construction dust is extremely fine, gets into every crevice and can damage a standard domestic vacuum. Professionals use industrial vacuums and HEPA filtration, know which products are safe on new surfaces, and clear the fine dust that keeps resettling. They're also faster and reduce the risk of scratching expensive new finishes. If the property is being handed over or you're moving straight in, a professional finish removes the risk of living in a dusty home for weeks.
How To Save Money On After Builders Cleaning
- Ask the builders to clear their own waste — removing debris is often the cleaning add-on you can avoid.
- Book once the dust has settled so the job is done in one pass rather than two.
- Do the rough clean yourself (bagging rubbish, sweeping loose debris) and pay only for the detailed deep clean.
- Combine with related services like carpet cleaning in one booking rather than separate visits.
- Get quotes based on the actual mess — send photos so the price reflects the real state of the property.
- Protect finishes during the build with dust sheets, so there's less to clean afterwards.
How To Hire A Good After Builders Cleaner
Choose a company experienced in post-construction cleaning specifically — it's a different job from regular cleaning and needs the right equipment. Confirm they're insured, use industrial vacuums and HEPA filtration, and know how to handle new finishes. Read recent reviews, get a written quote that states whether waste removal is included, and agree the scope room by room.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured cleaners equipped for post-construction dust and debris, transparent pricing and online booking, so your newly finished space is ready to use.
Book your builders cleaning service today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is After Builders Cleaning?
It's a specialist deep clean carried out after building, renovation or refurbishment work. It removes fine construction dust, paint and plaster residue, grout haze and debris, leaving the property ready to use or hand over.
How Much Does An After Builders Clean Cost?
Most people pay £150–£400 outside London and £250–£650 in London, depending on property size and the amount of debris. Where cleaners charge hourly, expect around £20–£40 per hour.
What Other Factors Affect The Cost?
The volume of dust and debris, property size, your location, access, delicate finishes and whether waste removal is needed all affect the final price. A heavy refurbishment costs more than a light redecoration.
What's Included In An After Builders Clean?
Full dust removal from all surfaces, inside and outside cupboards, doors, frames, radiators, kitchens and bathrooms, plus internal windows and floors. Waste removal and carpet cleaning are usually extras.
Do You Need Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning As Well?
If carpets or soft furnishings were in place during the work, they'll likely hold fine dust and benefit from a separate carpet or upholstery clean. Bundling it with the main clean is usually cheaper.
How Should You Prepare For An After Builders Clean?
Have the builders remove their tools and as much waste as possible, and wait a day or two for airborne dust to settle. Clear personal items so cleaners can reach every surface.
Do You Need A Professional After Builders Clean?
For a full renovation, yes — construction dust is fine, pervasive and can damage domestic vacuums, and new finishes are easy to scratch. Professionals have the right equipment and products to do it safely and fast.
Fantastic Services After Builders Cleaning Prices 2026
| Standard | Fantastic Club | |
|---|---|---|
| PRICEincluding detergents & equipment | Starting at£29/h | Starting at£25/h* |
| Excellent results by fully-trained and insured cleaners | ||
| £30 OFF the service + £270 in credits | ||
| Preferential rates for other servicesRegular Cleaning from | ||
| Priority booking & case handling | ||
| Plant a tree | ||
| *Price for members of the Fantastic Club. The Fantastic Club is a yearly subscription of £89. | ||
T&C and Minimum Charges apply. When we calculate the price, we also take into consideration the area's dimensions and the time of the appointment. All prices and deals are valid for areas within M25. Deals cannot be combined with any other deals and promotions. Prices are subject to availability. Congestion charges are excluded (when applicable).
