Post-Renovation Cleaning: A Complete Guide

Post-renovation cleaning: a complete Kempton Park guide

A 'builders' clean' is not a liveable clean. After any renovation, repaint or build, the property carries fine dust that settles into vents, cupboards, light fittings, electronics and HVAC systems for weeks afterwards. Moving in (or bringing in furniture) before a proper post-renovation clean traps that dust permanently. Here's what a real post-reno clean covers, why it matters, and how to time it.

Builders' clean vs post-renovation clean

These are not the same service, despite often being sold as one:

• Builders' clean: removes large debris, sweeps floors, wipes obvious surfaces. Done by the builder, takes 1-2 hours.
• Post-renovation clean: three-pass detailed cleaning of all surfaces, vents, cupboards and fixtures. Done by professional cleaners, takes 6-12 hours.

What a true post-renovation clean covers (the three-pass method)

Our crews work in three thorough passes:

• Pass 1 (top-down dust): ceilings, fans, light fittings, walls, vents, picture rails, top of cupboards
• Pass 2 (detail): skirtings, door frames, switch plates, plug sockets, window tracks, cupboard interiors
• Pass 3 (surfaces): floors mopped twice, glass and mirrors polished, all fixtures wiped, hardware cleaned

What gets missed without a post-reno clean

These are the spots that trap fine plaster and tile dust if you skip the deep clean:

• Inside extractor fans and ceiling vents
• Behind built-in cupboards and shelves
• Window tracks and frames
• Light fittings and bulb fixtures
• Inside power sockets and switch plates
• Top of skirting boards and door frames
• Inside cabinet hinges and drawer runners

Why timing matters

Post-renovation cleans should be booked AFTER the contractors have left, but BEFORE furniture moves in. Empty rooms allow cleaners to reach every surface. Cupboards must be cleaned before anything goes in — otherwise you're sealing dust into your storage. Plan a 2-3 day gap between contractor sign-off and furniture delivery for the clean.

Special challenges of post-reno cleans

These are the chemicals and tools required that standard cleans don't carry:

• Paint splatter remover (for solvent and water-based paint)
• Silicone scraper and solvent (for sealant residue)
• Sticker residue remover (for builders' tape and protective film)
• Grout haze cleaner (for new tile installations)
• HEPA vacuum (for fine plaster, tile and sanding dust)
• Streak-free glass restorer (for windows that received protective film)

How long it takes

For a 3-bedroom Kempton Park home with full renovation:

• Light renovation (paint + minor): 4-6 hours, team of 2
• Medium renovation (kitchen + bath redo): 6-9 hours, team of 2-3
• Full renovation (whole house): 9-14 hours, team of 3-4
• Full new-build commissioning: 14-20 hours, team of 4

Pricing for post-renovation cleans in Kempton Park

Quoted on inspection because every renovation is different. Typical ranges:

• Studio / 1-bed flat post-renovation: R1 800 - R3 000
• 2-bed townhouse post-renovation: R3 000 - R4 800
• 3-bed house post-renovation: R4 800 - R7 500
• 4-bed+ family home post-renovation: R7 500 - R12 000
• Add HVAC vent cleaning: R250 per vent

What to ask the cleaning company before booking

Not every cleaning company is equipped for post-renovation work. Ask: do they carry HEPA vacuums, silicone solvent, paint splatter remover, and grout haze chemicals? Have they done renovation cleans before? Can they show you photos of past projects? If the answer to any of these is no, find a specialist.