Why new builds need cleaning
Housebuilders usually carry out a 'builders' clean' before handover, but it's often a quick one. Fine plaster and sanding dust settles in cupboards, on top of door frames, in window tracks and inside extractor fans. Floors may have adhesive residue, labels and protective film are often left on glass and appliances, and there can be splashes of filler, grout haze on tiles and sealant on worktops.
Dust continues to settle for weeks as the house dries out and the heating runs, so even a clean house at handover can look dusty again a few weeks later.
What a new build sparkle clean includes
Cleaning companies often call this a 'sparkle clean' or 'new build clean'. It's lighter than a full after builders clean after a renovation, but more thorough than a standard clean. A typical checklist covers:
- Vacuuming and wiping inside every cupboard, wardrobe and drawer
- Dusting door frames, skirting boards, sockets, switches and radiators
- Removing labels, stickers and protective film from glass, sanitaryware and appliances
- Cleaning windows inside and out where reachable, frames and tracks
- Removing grout haze and residue from tiles
- Cleaning kitchen units, worktops, sink and appliances inside and out
- Cleaning bathrooms, toilets, showers and extractor fan covers
- Vacuuming and mopping all floors, removing adhesive and marks
Doing it yourself
If you're cleaning yourself, start high and work down: dust ceilings, coving and door tops first, then cupboards and surfaces, and finish with floors. Use a vacuum with a good filter, because building dust is fine and can damage some domestic vacuums – empty the bin and wash the filter often. Damp microfibre cloths pick up dust better than dry ones.
For window and appliance labels, peel slowly, then use warm soapy water or a little cooking oil to lift sticky residue, followed by a clean wipe. Use a plastic scraper rather than a blade on glass and enamel. Grout haze can be removed with a haze remover suitable for the tile type – test first.
Get quotes from local cleaners
Cleaning and snagging
Snags are defects the builder should fix: scratches, chips, gaps in sealant, doors that don't close properly, marks on walls and so on. A clean home makes snags easier to spot, so many buyers book the clean before their snagging inspection or carry out their own snag list straight after.
Don't try to clean away things that are actually defects, such as scratched glass or stained worktops – photograph them and report them to the builder within the warranty's reporting period. Our tip: a professional cleaner will usually point out obvious damage they notice, which is a useful second pair of eyes.
Timing the clean
The ideal time is between handover and moving in, when the house is empty – it's much quicker and cheaper to clean empty rooms. If you're moving in on handover day, book the clean for the morning, before the removal van arrives, or clean key areas such as the kitchen and bedrooms first.
Carpets fitted after handover are a common source of fluff and fibres for the first few weeks; regular vacuuming deals with it. If flooring is laid after the clean, you may need a quick floor clean afterwards.
Costs
New build sparkle cleans are usually quoted as a fixed price based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and they're generally less than a renovation clean because there's no heavy debris. Window cleaning outside, carpet cleaning and oven cleaning (rarely needed in a brand new home) are often extras. See after builders cleaning for indicative prices and our move-in vs end of tenancy cleaning guide for other move-in options.
