After builders cleaning checklist
A builders clean removes the fine dust and the marks the trades leave: dust off every surface from the ceiling down, windows, frames and sills inside, paint and plaster splashes lifted from glass, tiles and fittings, labels and protective film off the kitchen, bathrooms and windows, inside every press and drawer, and the floors vacuumed and washed to suit their finish.
What a builders clean should cover in every room, so you can check the quote and the finished job.
Free and no obligation. Your plan goes to one company, not a list.
- 34things on the list
- Top downceilings first, floors last
- €350–€700for a three-bed house
- 4things usually extra
Room by room
Every room
- Ceiling corners, coving and cobwebs
- Light fittings, shades and bulbs
- Tops of doors, frames and architraves
- Walls dusted, marks spot-cleaned
- Skirting, sockets and switches
- Radiators, inside and behind
- Vents and extractor grilles
- Inside wardrobes and fitted presses
Windows and doors
- Glass inside, paint and plaster splashes lifted
- Protective film and labels off the frames
- Frames, handles and hinges
- Sills and the tracks of sliding and folding doors
- Blinds, if they're up
- Front door, letterbox and glass panels
Kitchen
- Inside every press, drawer and the plinths
- Worktops and splashback
- Sink and taps
- Film and labels off the appliances
- Inside the oven, fridge and dishwasher
- Hob, cooker hood and its filter
Bathrooms
- Grout haze off the tiles
- Sealant smears and plaster off the bath, tray and taps
- Shower screen film off, glass polished
- Toilet inside and out
- Mirrors and the extractor fan grille
- Floor and behind the toilet
Stairs and hall
- Banisters, spindles and handrail
- Each tread and riser
- Under the stairs
- Hall floor and the threshold
Floors
- Vacuumed with an industrial vacuum
- Washed to suit the finish: tiles, timber, laminate, vinyl
- Carpets vacuumed several times
- Corners and edges along the skirting
Usually extra
- Outside windows above the ground floor
- The garage, the drive and paths
- Taking away rubble, offcuts and packaging
- A deep clean of carpets or upholstery
Use it to compare quotes: a lower price sometimes leaves out the insides of presses, the door tracks or the film on the frames.
Before the cleaners arrive
- The last trade has finished and the snags are fixed.
- Rubble and packaging are gone, or the company has agreed to take them.
- The power and water are on and the lights work.
- Access is sorted: keys, the alarm code and parking for the van.
Plan your after builders clean
A few quick taps: the clean your job needs, what it costs and how long it takes. Contact details come last, and only if you want a fixed price.
One builders clean of a three-bed house, after a new build: €350 to €700.
How the estimate is worked out
The ranges are what Irish cleaning companies charge for the same clean: the lowest to the highest figure for a home of that size, or per m² for a commercial unit. A smaller home's three-stage clean is its builders clean plus a sparkle clean. Use it to plan with: the company fixes the price after seeing the job or photos of it.
Questions before you book
What does an after builders clean include?
A builders clean removes the fine dust and the marks the trades leave: dust off every surface from the ceiling down, windows, frames and sills inside, paint and plaster splashes lifted from glass, tiles and fittings, labels and protective film off the kitchen, bathrooms and windows, inside every press and drawer, and the floors vacuumed and washed to suit their finish.
Is rubbish removal included?
Usually not. Clearing rubble, offcuts and packaging is the builder's job or a skip's. Some companies take bags away for an extra charge.
Do they clean outside windows?
Ground-floor outside windows are sometimes included. Higher ones, the drive and the garage are usually extra: say what you want when you book.
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Get the dust out before you move in
Pick the job, the home and the clean to see the price and how long it takes. When you want a fixed price, your plan goes to a single vetted cleaning company for your area.