After Builders Cleaning in East London (E)

The builders have packed up, but the dust is still settling on every skirting board, cupboard shelf and window track. Our after builders cleaning in East London clears that fine residue so you can move back in, hand over to a client or reopen for trade. We cover homes, rented flats, shops and offices across E postcodes, from a single kitchen refit to a full strip-out and rebuild.

Send us a few photos and a rough list of what’s been done, and we’ll come back with a free, no-obligation quote. Call 020 3947 0917 or email us.

Why builders’ dust needs more than a quick hoover

Plaster, cement and MDF dust are much finer than household dust. A standard vacuum can blow them back into the air, and a wet cloth on a dusty surface turns them into a grey smear that dries as a film.

We work in a set order so the dust only moves once:

• Top to bottom. We start with high-level dust on door frames, light fittings, curtain rails and the tops of wall cabinets, then work down to the floor.
• Dry before wet. We vacuum surfaces first with filtered vacuums and brush attachments, then wipe with microfibre. That stops dust turning into slurry in grout lines and on matt paint.
• Inside as well as out. Dust gets into drawers, wardrobes, sockets and extractor vents, even when doors were shut during the work.
• A second pass. Fine dust keeps falling for hours after the first clean. On larger jobs we go back over horizontal surfaces before we finish.

Your after builders cleaning checklist, room by room

We agree the checklist with you before we start, based on what’s been built and what’s staying. A typical post-renovation clean in East London covers the following.

Kitchens

• Inside and outside all cupboards and drawers, including the top edges of wall units
• Worktops, upstands and splashbacks, with sealant smears and dust lifted from tile joints
• Sinks, taps and drainers
• The exterior of new appliances, with protective film removed where you’re happy for us to do it
• Extractor hood exterior and the area behind the hob

Bathrooms

• Tiles and grout cleared of dust and surface grout haze where it lifts safely
• Shower screens, glass panels and mirrors
• Toilets, basins, baths and brassware
• Plaster or adhesive residue around new fittings, where it lifts without scratching

Living areas and bedrooms

• Skirting boards, door frames, doors and handles
• Light switches, sockets and radiators
• Window sills, frames and the inside of window tracks
• Built-in wardrobes and shelving, inside and out
• Hard floors vacuumed and mopped, and carpets vacuumed

Glass and windows

• Interior glass cleaned and stickers removed
• Paint flecks and plaster spots taken off glass with the right blade, where the glass type allows it

Shops and offices

• Counters, shelving and display fixtures
• Desks, partitions and kitchenettes
• Entrance glass and doors, ready for customers or staff

Extras, limits and what cleaning can’t fix

Some jobs need separate agreement because they need different kit, extra time or a specialist. Tell us about these at the quote stage:

• Carpets. Vacuuming lifts loose dust. Plaster ground into the pile usually needs hot water extraction, which we quote as carpet cleaning with drying time planned in.
• External windows and anything above safe working height from the ground or a step ladder. See our window cleaning service.
• Oven interiors, if an existing oven has been kept.
• Waste. We don’t remove rubble, offcuts, packaging or paint tins. The builder or a licensed waste carrier needs to clear those first.

Some problems aren’t cleaning problems at all:

• Suspected asbestos, lead paint or chemical spills. We stop and leave the area alone. These need a licensed specialist.
• Damp, mould coming back through new plaster, or leaks. We can clean the surface, but the cause needs a builder or surveyor.
• Damaged finishes. Scratched worktops, chipped tiles, etched glass or paint on unsealed stone can’t be cleaned away. We’ll point out anything we notice so you can raise it with your contractor.

How a post-renovation clean works

1. You get in touch. Send photos, the property size, what work was done and when the trades will be finished.
2. We agree scope and price. We’ll confirm the checklist, any extras and the price upfront. Larger or commercial sites may need a quick walkthrough first.
3. We arrange access. Keys, building fobs, alarm codes, parking and site contact are all agreed before the day.
4. We clean. Our vetted, insured cleaners bring the supplies and equipment, including filtered vacuums, microfibre, glass scrapers and stepladders.
5. We check. We go through the agreed list before we leave. If something in scope has been missed, tell us promptly and we’ll arrange to put it right. We’ll confirm how re-cleans and the reporting window work when you book.

What you’ll need to do: make sure the builders have finished, including sanding, grouting and decorating, and that the site is clear of waste. Electricity and running water should be on. If anything is still curing, such as fresh sealant, oiled wood or a newly poured floor, tell us.

How long does a post-renovation clean take?

It depends on the property and the dust. As a rough guide, a refitted kitchen or bathroom might take part of a day. A whole flat after a full refurbishment usually means a team for a full day. A large house or a shop fit-out can run longer.

The things that add time are heavy sanding dust, plaster on floors, and lots of cupboards, glass and joinery. We’ll give you an estimated duration with your quote, so you can plan furniture deliveries or a move-in date around it.

What changes the price

Every builders clean is quoted individually. The main factors are:

• Size of the property and the number of rooms affected
• How much dust and residue is left, and whether the builders did a sweep-up
• The task list, including inside cupboards, interior glass and paint spot removal
• Extras such as carpet extraction or external windows
• Access, parking and loading restrictions, which matter on many East London streets and in blocks with concierge rules
• Timing, including evening or weekend work for commercial premises

Our pricing page explains how quotes are built. Clear photos taken in daylight help us price accurately the first time.

Working around homes, landlords and businesses

Occupied homes. If you’re living in part of the house, we’ll seal off clean rooms and agree which spaces we do first. Let us know about pets so they can be kept away from dust and open doors.

Landlords and agents. If a refurb is followed by a new tenancy, we can work to the inventory or agent’s requirements. If an outgoing tenant also needs a clean, see our end of tenancy cleaning.

Flats and terraces. Many E properties are upper-floor flats or terraced houses with no off-street parking. Tell us about permit zones, lift bookings and where we can unload, and we’ll plan around them.

Shops and offices. We’ll schedule around opening hours and other trades where possible. Short-notice slots depend on availability, so book once you have a handover date.

Protecting new finishes while we clean

New surfaces are often the most delicate in the building, so we check what each one is before we touch it.

• Natural stone, quartz and oiled wood. We use pH-neutral products, not acidic descalers or abrasive pads.
• Fresh paint. Matt and chalky emulsions mark easily, so we dust walls dry rather than scrubbing them.
• Glass and stainless steel. We use blades only on suitable glass, at a low angle and wet, and wipe steel with the grain.
• Test patches. If a residue or finish is unfamiliar, we try a small hidden area first.
• Separate cloths. Bathroom and kitchen cloths are colour-coded and kept apart.
• Product instructions. We follow them, including contact times, and wipe down food prep surfaces so they’re safe to use.

If you’d prefer eco-friendly products, ask when you book. We’ll check they suit your surfaces.

What customers say

“Our loft conversion left a film of dust on literally everything downstairs, even inside the kitchen drawers. They did the whole house top to bottom and went back over the shelves at the end, which I wouldn’t have thought of.” Hannah R., Walthamstow

“Kitchen refit in a second-floor flat. They sorted parking with me beforehand and got grout haze off the splashback without touching the new quartz.” Daniel O., Leyton

“Used them before reopening our café after a refit. Plaster spots on the front glass, sawdust behind the counter, the lot. They came in the evening so the shopfitters could finish during the day.” Mehmet K., Stratford

“Honest about the carpet. They told me vacuuming wouldn’t shift the plaster in the hallway and quoted extraction separately. The rest of the flat was spotless.” Grace A., Bow

After builders cleaning FAQs

Can you start while the builders are still working?

Usually not. If trades are still sanding or cutting, dust will land on surfaces we’ve just cleaned. Book for after the last dusty job, and we can do a separate pre-handover touch-up if needed.

Do you bring specialist equipment?

Yes. We bring filtered vacuums, microfibre, glass blades and stepladders, plus products suited to new finishes. Carpet extraction is quoted separately.

Will you remove paint splashes and sealant?

Often, yes, where they lift safely from glass, tiles and hard surfaces. We won’t force anything off a delicate or porous finish, and some marks need the decorator to put them right.

How do I remove fine dust after renovation myself?

Ventilate, vacuum with a brush attachment first, and only then wipe with a barely damp microfibre cloth, top to bottom. Expect a second round once the dust has resettled. Larger refurbishments are usually quicker and cleaner with a team.

Do you clear rubbish and leftover materials?

No. Waste, offcuts and packaging need to be cleared by your builder or a licensed waste carrier before we arrive.

Do you clean offices and shops after a fit-out?

Yes. We cover commercial premises across East London and can work evenings or weekends where it’s agreed in advance.

Can you clean if I don’t have keys on the day?

Yes, if access is arranged beforehand. Keys can be left with a neighbour, a concierge, a lockbox or your contractor. We’ll confirm the details when we book.

Get your space back after the builders

Tell us what was built, send a few photos and give us your handover date. We’ll agree the checklist and price upfront, then leave the place ready to live or work in.

Call 020 3947 0917 or email us for your free quote.