After Construction Cleaning Cost Guide Australia
After construction, cleaning cost in Australia ranges from $6–$12 per square metre, or $350–$1,800+ per project, depending on debris levels, surface materials, and the size of the renovation or build. This cost reflects the labour-intensive work required to remove plaster dust, construction residue, adhesive marks, grout haze, paint spots, and airborne particles that settle throughout a newly built or renovated space. Property owners often look to Everyday Clean for reliable, professional-grade results. Because construction dust behaves differently from everyday household dust, it requires specialised equipment, controlled cleaning sequences, and multi-stage detailing to restore a property to a safe, move-in-ready condition.
This guide provides a cleaning-focused breakdown of what influences these prices, how contractors calculate them, and what property owners should expect when budgeting for an after-build clean.
What’s Included in After-Construction Cleaning and Why It Impacts Cost
Before exploring the full price breakdown, it is important to understand the range of tasks that professional cleaners perform during post-build cleanup. This creates clarity around how the cost is formed and why certain jobs fall into higher brackets.
A typical Australian after-build clean includes detailed dust extraction from ceilings, walls, skirting boards, and fixtures, as well as surface decontamination, window and track cleaning, adhesive and silicone residue removal, grout haze treatment, bathroom sanitisation, and floor restoration. Many of these tasks are part of a full construction cleaning service, which requires HEPA-filtered vacuums, non-abrasive tools, commercial microfibre systems, and cleaning agents matched to specific materials such as stone, stainless steel, engineered timber, porcelain, or matte finishes. Because each home, renovation, or commercial fit-out produces different building residue, these inclusions directly affect the final price clients receive.
Before listing the costs, here is a smooth transition into how each inclusion influences pricing.
Price Impact of Common Inclusions
The following table outlines how typical cleaning inclusions add cost. This transitional explanation ensures the table is interpreted clearly: each row represents a variable that can increase labour hours or require specialist cleaning techniques.
| Inclusion | Typical Add-On Cost | Reason for Cost Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Window and track detailing | $40–$120 per window | Paint, dust and silicone require scraping and precision work |
| Adhesive and silicone removal | $80–$150 per bathroom | Often embedded in tiles and joints, requiring manual tools |
| Grout haze removal | $100–$200 per bathroom | Needs chemical neutralisers and repetitive polishing |
| Floor deep cleaning | $1–$2 per m² | Varies by flooring type and dust level |
| Debris bagging and removal | $150–$900 | Weight and disposal fees increase the cost |
| High-finish surface detailing | $30–$200 extra | Materials require non-abrasive, specialised products |
Specific factors that change after construction cleaning cost in Australia
Several key factors influence the final cost of after-construction cleaning in Australia. Understanding these elements can help homeowners, builders, and contractors anticipate expenses and plan their cleaning budgets effectively. These factors range from the size and type of the property to the level of debris, materials used, and accessibility challenges. Let’s break down the main cost determinants in detail.
Size of the property and cleaning area
Larger cleaning zones require additional labour, equipment and sequencing. A 180 m² home typically needs multiple cleaners for a full day to remove dust from floors, cabinetry, windows and fixtures. This results in a higher total cost even when the cost per square metre remains consistent.
Amount of construction dust and debris
The density of plaster dust, sawdust and trade residue is the strongest cost driver. Heavy sanding during renovations or insufficient site protection can lead to dust settling into electrical outlets, cupboard tracks, power points and lighting fixtures. Removing this safely adds hours to labour time and pushes pricing toward the upper range.
Surface materials and finish sensitivity
Marble, polished stone, matte black tapware, stainless steel appliances and full-height glazing require gentle, non-abrasive cleaning methods. When surfaces demand more care, cleaners work more slowly and use specialised solutions, affecting cost.
Access challenges and property layout
Staircases, tight corridors, multi-level spaces, glass balustrades and high ceilings require additional effort, either through more labour or specialised tools such as extension poles and scaffolding. These complexities influence price regardless of overall property size.
Optional add-on services
Before showing the pricing for optional extras, it’s important to understand that they are billed separately because they fall outside standard post-build cleaning sequences.
Typical add-ons:
- Exterior window cleaning:
$6–$10/m²
- Carpet steam cleaning:
$40–$80 per room
- Pressure washing:
$4–$7/m²
- Rubbish removal:
$150–$900 depending on load
How contractors calculate after-construction cleaning cost
These pricing structures exist to make quoting fair and predictable, depending on whether the site is mid-construction, partially cleaned by trades or ready for final detailing.
Per square metre pricing
This is the most accurate method for builders, strata managers and renovation teams. It reflects the true labour required for dust removal, residue treatment and surface protection. Most jobs fall within $6–$12/m², depending on complexity.
Flat-fee pricing
Used for completed renovations, apartments or clearly defined scopes. Cleaners assess dust levels, number of windows, bathroom count and layout to determine a fixed cost. Small apartments often fall between $450–$650, while full homes range from $750–$1,200+.
Hourly rate pricing
Hourly rates apply when builders are still working on-site or when the scope is uncertain. Rates average $40–$65 per cleaner per hour. This prevents inaccurate quoting when dust levels or access conditions change.
After construction cleaning cost for small home renovations
Smaller renovations generate tightly concentrated debris that settles into grout, fixtures and newly installed cabinetry. Because the affected area is smaller but more detailed, the cost often falls between $150–$450.
Examples:
- Bathroom renovation after-build clean:
$250–$350
- Kitchen renovation after-build clean:
$250–$450
- Bedroom or study renovation clean:
$180–$300
These projects require careful dust removal around new tilework, cabinetry internals, fixtures and fittings.
How to budget for after construction cleaning
When planning a renovation or build, budgeting for cleaning becomes easier by using a clear formula. Because budgeting is a “how-to” task, the following steps break the process into simple, actionable instructions.
- Multiply the total property size by
$8–$10/m² to estimate the base cleaning fee
- Add 20–30% if the renovation involved sanding, tiling or heavy plaster work
- Include extra cost for windows, high ceilings or extensive cabinetry
- Add optional extras such as carpet steam cleaning or exterior washing
- Allocate a contingency of 10% for unexpected dust conditions
This method provides a reliable cost range before requesting formal quotes.
FAQs About After Construction Cleaning Cost
Before we break down the most common questions, here’s a quick overview of what affects after-construction cleaning costs, from property size to debris level and the type of clean required. These FAQs will help you understand what to expect and how to budget confidently.
What does after-construction cleaning include, and why does it affect cost?
After construction, cleaning includes a comprehensive removal of plaster dust, fine particulates, silicone residue, grout haze, builder splatter, and debris that accumulate during renovation or construction. It also includes cabinet detailing, track cleaning, window scraping, and deep cleaning of floors and fixtures. These tasks affect cost because each surface requires specific tools, neutralisers, and non-abrasive techniques to avoid scratching or damaging new finishes. The time required to restore all surfaces to a handover-ready condition directly influences labour hours, which is why jobs with heavy dust or extensive glazing sit at higher cost brackets.
What factors influence post-construction cleaning prices in Australia?
Post-construction cleaning prices vary based on several measurable factors. The density of plaster dust is one of the strongest predictors of cost because fine dust requires repeated extraction cycles. Material type also plays a major role; marble, matte black tapware, and stainless steel require specialist cleaning products. Adhesive residue, grout haze, and silicone removal increase manual labour time. Additional cost drivers include ceiling height, number of windows, extent of debris, and whether trades are still active on site. These factors collectively shape the final price because they determine how many cleaners, tools, and hours are required.
For a detailed breakdown of typical post-renovation cleaning tasks, see our Post-Renovation Cleaning Checklist.
How is the after-construction cleaning cost calculated by professionals?
Professional cleaners calculate cost using one of three structured methods: hourly rates, flat fees, or per-square-metre pricing. Hourly rates between $40–$65 per cleaner apply when the job scope cannot be predicted. Flat fees between $150 and $5,000+ apply to fully completed builds where the contractor can accurately assess debris levels. Per-m² rates between $6 and $12 are most common for commercial sites and larger homes and offer predictable budgeting. Each pricing approach reflects the time, tools, and technical effort needed to remove dust and residue safely.
Is professional post-build cleaning worth the cost compared to DIY?
Yes, professional post-build cleaning is generally worth the cost because it protects new finishes from damage and prevents long-term dust contamination. Fine construction dust embeds itself into porous materials and continues to circulate for weeks if not removed with HEPA filtration and professional extraction methods. DIY cleaning often leads to scratched glass, dull tapware, and damage to stone surfaces due to incorrect chemicals or abrasive tools. The value of professional cleaning comes from safeguarding the property, reducing future maintenance issues, and achieving a truly move-in-ready result.
How do residential and commercial after-construction cleaning costs differ?
Residential cleaning costs between $150–$1,200, depending on home size, number of bathrooms, flooring materials, and glazing volume. Commercial cleaning ranges from $1,000–$5,000+ due to larger surface areas, high ceilings, multiple work zones, and compliance requirements for tenancy handover. Commercial settings also tend to accumulate more repetitive dust points and require more specialised equipment. Because commercial spaces are designed for public use or staff occupancy, the standard of cleanliness must meet stricter expectations, contributing to higher cost brackets.
Should clients choose hourly or flat-fee pricing for after-build cleaning?
Hourly pricing suits unpredictable sites with ongoing trades, while flat-fee pricing suits finished renovations. Many clients choose flat fees because they offer clear budgeting and avoid unexpected increases. However, when trades are still present or when spaces are being opened progressively, hourly billing is more accurate. Ultimately, the right choice depends on site stability, the amount of residue, and whether the cleaning team can fully assess the space before starting work.
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