What Is a Builders Clean?
A professional builders clean (also known as after-renovation cleaning) removes construction dust, plaster residue, paint splatter, and debris left after building or renovation work, preparing the property for handover or occupancy. Total Cleaning Melbourne delivers Stage 1 and Stage 2 post-construction cleaning for residential homes and commercial projects across Melbourne.
Our thorough service leaves your property spotless and move-in ready, covering every surface from skirting boards to ceiling cornices.
What Does Our Builders Clean Include?
Our comprehensive builders clean service is designed to remove all traces of construction and renovation work. Services include:
- Removal of construction dust from all surfaces
- Detailed cleaning of skirting boards, architraves, and frames
- Internal window and glass cleaning (removing paint & plaster residue)
- Floor vacuuming and mopping
- Bathroom and kitchen detailing
- Cleaning inside cupboards and wardrobes
- Fixture and fitting wipe-down
- Removal of debris and fine dust from hard-to-reach areas
According to Safe Work Australia, construction dust — including silica, plaster, and paint particles — poses recognised health risks, and thorough post-construction cleaning is essential to create a safe environment for occupants. This ensures your property is inspection-ready and safe for homeowners, tenants, or buyers. For newly installed carpets that have collected construction dust, our carpet steam cleaning service can be added to the builders clean to restore fibres to their original condition. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, construction dust left in carpet fibres can reduce carpet lifespan by up to 50%, making a thorough post-construction clean essential for protecting newly installed floor coverings.
How Do We Support Builders, Developers and Project Managers?
We partner with builders, construction companies, and project managers across Melbourne to provide reliable, commercial builders cleaning services. Perfect for new builds, apartment complexes, and office refurbishments.
Benefits for commercial clients:
- On-time completion for handovers
- SWMS-compliant and fully insured
- Large site capability & multi-stage cleaning
- Flexible scheduling to fit project timelines
What Is the Difference Between Stage 1 and Stage 2 Builders Clean?
A proper post-construction clean is carried out in two distinct stages, and understanding the difference helps you book the right service at the right time.
Stage 1: Rough Clean (During Construction)
The Stage 1 clean happens while construction is still underway or immediately after the major building work is finished. The goal is to clear the site of heavy debris, bulk waste, and loose materials so tradespeople can continue working safely. This stage includes:
- Removal of heavy construction debris, offcuts, and packaging
- Sweeping and clearing of all floor surfaces
- Initial dust removal from walls, ceilings, and horizontal surfaces
- Window scraping to remove plaster, cement, and paint splatter
- Clearing of plumbing fixtures and wet areas for follow-on trades
Stage 1 is typically booked by the builder or site manager once the structure is enclosed and major wet trades (plastering, painting, tiling) are nearing completion.
Stage 2: Final Detail Clean (Before Handover)
The Stage 2 clean is the thorough, detail-focused clean that prepares the property for final inspection, handover, or occupancy. This is the stage most homeowners, developers, and project managers associate with a “builders clean.” It includes:
- Fine dust removal from every surface, including inside cupboards, wardrobes, and shelving
- Window and glass cleaning - removing all remaining paint spots, plaster residue, and construction film
- Floor cleaning - vacuuming, mopping, and polishing of all hard floor surfaces
- Bathroom and kitchen deep clean - sanitising sinks, basins, tapware, toilets, benchtops, and splashbacks
- Paint splatter removal from fixtures, tiles, and frames
- Light fixture and switch plate cleaning
- Skirting board, architrave, and door frame detailing
- Removal of stickers, labels, and protective film from appliances, windows, and fittings
What Is Included in Our Full Builders Clean Scope?
Our comprehensive builders clean covers every area of the property from top to bottom. Here is the full scope of what our team delivers:
- Dust removal - All surfaces including walls, ceilings, cornices, shelving, window sills, and ledges
- Window cleaning - Internal and external glass, frames, tracks, and sills with paint and plaster residue removed
- Floor cleaning - Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping of all floor types including timber, tile, vinyl, and concrete
- Bathroom detailing - Toilets, basins, showers, baths, mirrors, tapware, and tile surfaces sanitised and polished
- Kitchen detailing - Benchtops, sinks, rangehood, splashbacks, and inside all cupboards and drawers
- Joinery and fixtures - Skirting boards, architraves, door frames, handles, hinges, and built-in cabinetry wiped and detailed
- Light fittings - Pendants, downlights, and switch plates cleaned and dust-free
- Paint splatter removal - From tiles, glass, fixtures, and any surface where paint has landed outside the intended area
- Sticker and label removal - Manufacturer labels, protective films, and tape residue from windows, appliances, and fittings
- Final inspection - A complete walkthrough to ensure the property meets handover standards
For properties with new carpet installations, we take extra care to protect floor coverings during the clean and can apply carpet protection film if required.
Why Do Melbourne Builders Choose Us?
Total Cleaning Melbourne is the trusted choice for builders, developers, and project managers across Melbourne for good reason:
- IICRC-certified technicians - Our team holds industry-recognised certifications in cleaning and restoration, ensuring every job meets professional standards
- Fully insured - We carry comprehensive public liability insurance, giving builders and homeowners peace of mind that the property is protected during the clean
- Police-checked staff - Every member of our cleaning team has been police-checked, which is essential for working on residential properties and occupied sites
- Experience with new builds and renovations - Over the years, our team has completed builders cleans for hundreds of Melbourne projects — from single-room renovations through to multi-storey apartment complexes — and we understand the tight timelines and high standards that builders and developers expect
- On-time completion - We understand that a builders clean is often the final step before handover or settlement, and delays cost money. Our team is committed to completing every job within the agreed timeframe
- Flexible scheduling - We work around your project timeline, including weekends and after-hours if needed to meet handover deadlines
For exterior areas that need attention after construction, our high-pressure cleaning service removes concrete splatter, render dust, and building grime from driveways, paths, and exterior walls. If the project includes new carpet that needs protecting during ongoing trades, our carpet protection service can help.
Do You Offer Post-Renovation Cleaning for Homeowners?
Our renovation cleaning services in Melbourne remove construction dust, plaster residue, and debris so your home is safe, spotless, and move-in ready.
Benefits for homeowners:
- Healthy, dust-free environment
- Attention to detail on all fixtures and finishes
- Protection of newly installed surfaces
- Inspection-ready for real estate or personal use
For larger renovation projects, our team can also coordinate rubbish removal to clear construction waste, packaging materials, and debris from the site, leaving the property completely clean and ready for occupancy.
We provide builders clean and post-construction cleaning services across Melbourne’s growth corridors and established suburbs alike. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.
Where Do We Offer Builders Clean Services in Melbourne?
We provide builders clean and post-construction cleaning services across the Melbourne metropolitan area, including Point Cook, Werribee, Craigieburn, Epping, Ringwood, Box Hill, Doncaster, Frankston, Dandenong, and Berwick. Whether your project is a new build in a growth corridor or a renovation in an established suburb, our team is ready to help.
Every member of our team holds IICRC certification, carries full insurance, and has passed a police background check.
After Renovation Cleaning Melbourne
A builders clean is not just for new construction — it is equally essential after kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, extensions, room additions, and general home improvements. Renovation work generates fine construction dust that settles on every surface in the home, including rooms that were not part of the renovation. Plaster dust, paint splatter, adhesive residue, and sawdust penetrate into cupboards, wardrobes, air vents, and soft furnishings throughout the property. Our after-renovation cleaning service removes all traces of construction work so your home is safe, clean, and ready to enjoy. We detail skirting boards, architraves, windows, fixtures, and floors throughout the renovated area and adjacent rooms affected by dust migration. For properties where renovation has included new carpet installation, we recommend adding a carpet steam clean to remove embedded construction dust from the fibres.
New Build and Apartment Development Cleaning
Multi-dwelling builders cleans for apartment developments, townhouse complexes, and large residential projects require a scalable team that can deliver consistent quality across every unit within tight construction timelines. Total Cleaning Melbourne partners with builders, developers, and project managers on new build projects ranging from small townhouse developments to large apartment buildings. We provide Stage 1 and Stage 2 cleaning across all units, common areas, lobbies, stairwells, car parks, and external pathways — coordinating our schedule with other trades to avoid delays. Our team scales to match the project size, and we assign a dedicated supervisor to multi-dwelling projects to manage quality control, timeline adherence, and communication with the site manager. Every team member holds IICRC certification, carries full insurance, and has been police-checked — meeting the compliance standards required for commercial construction sites across Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions About Builders Clean
What is included in a builders clean?
Our builders clean includes removal of construction dust, plaster and paint residue, detailing skirting boards, windows, fixtures, and floors.
How long does a builders clean take?
Most residential cleans are completed within one day. Larger commercial sites vary depending on size and debris levels.
Do you provide post-construction cleaning for commercial projects?
Yes, we deliver professional post-construction cleaning for both residential and commercial properties across Melbourne.
When should a builders clean be booked?
A builders clean is typically scheduled once all construction work is completed, before final inspection or handover.
What is the difference between a standard clean and a builders clean?
A builders clean focuses on removing construction dust, paint residue, plaster marks, and debris left after building or renovation work. It is more detailed than a regular domestic clean.
Do you clean both residential and commercial construction sites?
Yes. We service everything from single-home renovations and bathroom upgrades through to multi-storey apartment developments, office fit-outs, and retail shopfronts. Our team scales to match the size and requirements of each project.
Can you remove paint splatter from tiles and glass?
Yes. Paint splatter removal from tiles, glass, fixtures, and fittings is a standard part of our Stage 2 builders clean. We use professional-grade scrapers and solvents appropriate to the surface type, ensuring no damage to the underlying finish.
Q: Is a builders clean the same as after-renovation cleaning?
Yes. A builders clean and after-renovation clean are the same service. We remove all construction dust, plaster residue, paint splatter, and debris left behind after building or renovation work.
Q: Do you provide builders cleaning for display homes?
Yes. We clean display homes, show suites, and sales centres for builders and developers across Melbourne. Display home cleaning requires a high presentation standard as these properties are photographed and inspected daily by potential buyers.
Q: Can builders cleaning be done on weekends or after hours?
Yes. We offer flexible scheduling including weekends and after-hours cleaning to meet handover deadlines. Many builders and developers require final cleans to be completed outside standard hours to avoid delays to settlement or inspection dates.
Get a Quote for Your Builders Clean
Need reliable post-construction cleaning? Contact our Melbourne team today for a fast, obligation-free quote. Call 1300 424 114 or contact us online. Ensure your property is spotless, safe, and ready for handover or occupancy.