A renovation or building project transforms your home — but it leaves behind a layer of dust, paint residue, grout haze, plaster dust, and construction debris that regular cleaning simply cannot tackle. After builders cleaning is a specialist service, and it is one of the most underestimated steps in any renovation project.
This guide tells you exactly what after builders cleaning involves, what a professional team should do in every room, and what you should expect when you book the service in Johannesburg.
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## Why After Builders Cleaning Is Different
Construction dust is not like household dust. It is fine, heavy, and penetrating — it settles deep into fabrics, inside cupboards, behind skirting boards, and in places you would never think to look. Paint splatter, silicone residue, and grout haze require specific products and techniques that a standard domestic clean cannot address.
A proper [after builders cleaning service](/after-builders-cleaning-johannesburg/) uses professional equipment including HEPA vacuums, high-pressure steam cleaners, specialist chemical agents for grout haze and paint removal, and microfibre systems that capture fine dust rather than redistributing it.
Attempting to do this yourself — or booking a standard cleaning company that is not set up for it — usually results in smeared surfaces, scratched windows from abrasive products, and a space that still feels dusty weeks later.
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## The Complete After Builders Cleaning Checklist
Use this checklist to verify what a professional team should cover in your property.
### Before the clean begins
– [ ] All rubble and large construction debris removed ([rubble removal](/rubble-removal-johannesburg/) should happen before the clean)
– [ ] All windows and doors can be opened for ventilation
– [ ] Water and electricity are accessible for the cleaning team
– [ ] Client has confirmed which surfaces are new and which are existing
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### Ceilings and walls
– [ ] All cobwebs and construction dust removed from ceiling corners
– [ ] Ceiling light fittings wiped and cleaned
– [ ] Walls wiped down — plaster dust, fingerprints, and paint drips addressed
– [ ] Newly painted walls gently cleaned without damaging the paint
– [ ] Skirting boards and architraves cleaned top and bottom
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### Floors
– [ ] All floor types dry-swept or HEPA-vacuumed before any wet cleaning
– [ ] Tile floors: grout haze removed using appropriate grout haze remover
– [ ] Tile floors: tiles polished and dried to a streak-free finish
– [ ] Laminate and wooden floors: cleaned with appropriate wood-safe products (no excess moisture)
– [ ] Vinyl and LVT: adhesive residue removed, floor cleaned and polished
– [ ] Carpets: HEPA vacuumed thoroughly; steam cleaning if required separately
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### Windows and glass
– [ ] All window glass cleaned inside and outside
– [ ] Paint spots removed from glass with appropriate blade and solvent
– [ ] Window frames wiped — including tracks, hinges, and rubber seals
– [ ] Window sills vacuumed and wiped
– [ ] Glass shower enclosures or screens: silicone and grout residue removed
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### Kitchen
– [ ] All cupboards: interiors vacuumed and wiped, exteriors cleaned
– [ ] Countertops: construction dust, adhesive, and residue removed
– [ ] Newly installed appliances: protective film removed, surfaces cleaned
– [ ] Sink and taps: polished and cleaned
– [ ] Extractor fan and hood: internal filter cleaned, exterior wiped
– [ ] All splash tiles cleaned and degreased
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### Bathrooms
– [ ] All grout lines cleaned — new grout haze is a common issue on tiled bathroom floors and walls
– [ ] Shower or bath: silicone residue, grout haze, and adhesive removed
– [ ] Toilet: installation residue cleaned, seat fitted correctly and wiped
– [ ] Basin and taps: cleaned and polished
– [ ] Bathroom tiles: grout and adhesive haze removed, tiles polished
– [ ] Mirrors: cleaned and polished streak-free
– [ ] Underfloor heating covers (if fitted): cleaned
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### Built-in cupboards and joinery
– [ ] All shelves vacuumed and wiped
– [ ] Drawer interiors cleaned
– [ ] Hinges and runners wiped
– [ ] Doors cleaned on both sides
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### Final inspection
– [ ] All light switches and plug face plates cleaned
– [ ] Doorknobs and handles polished
– [ ] All door frames cleaned top and bottom
– [ ] Final walk-through with client to confirm standard is met
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## How Long Does After Builders Cleaning Take?
This depends entirely on the size of the project and the state of the property. As a rough guide:
| Property size | Estimated cleaning time |
|—|—|
| Studio / 1-bedroom apartment | 4–6 hours (2-person team) |
| 2–3 bedroom house | 6–10 hours (3-person team) |
| 4–5 bedroom house | 10–14 hours (4-person team) |
| Large commercial space | Quoted individually |
For large properties, the clean is often split across two days.
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## What Should You Do Before the Cleaners Arrive?
To make the after builders cleaning as efficient as possible:
1. **Ensure rubble is removed.** If there is still large construction debris — bricks, cement bags, timber offcuts — this needs to go before the clean starts. Royall Cleaning also offers [rubble removal in Johannesburg](/rubble-removal-johannesburg/) if you need both services.
2. **Have the keys ready.** Make sure the team has access to every room, including the garage and any outbuildings.
3. **Point out delicate or new surfaces.** If you have brand-new engineered wood or a newly laid resin floor, make sure the team knows so they use appropriate products.
4. **Do not plan to move in on the same day.** The clean takes time, and you want the space to be dry and aired before you bring in furniture.
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## After Builders Cleaning Prices in Johannesburg
Royall Cleaning’s after builders cleaning starts from **R1,200** for a standard apartment. The exact price depends on the size of the space, the level of construction residue, and whether rubble removal is required.
We provide a fixed written quote before any work begins — no surprise charges on the day.
[Request your free after builders cleaning quote.](/after-builders-cleaning-johannesburg/) We cover all Johannesburg suburbs and can usually schedule within 48 hours of completing your building project.