Professional Post Construction Cleaning in Ireland
Every construction project — whether it is a single-house extension, a multi-unit residential development, or a commercial fit-out — ends the same way: with a building that looks finished from a distance but is coated in fine dust, spattered with paint, marked with adhesive residue, and covered in the debris of months of building work. That building cannot be occupied, sold, or handed over until it has been professionally cleaned.
Optus Glean provides professional post construction cleaning services across all 26 counties of Ireland. We work with building contractors, property developers, project managers, and homeowners to deliver the clean that transforms a construction site into a finished, move-in-ready property.
Our teams are Safe Pass certified for construction site access, Garda vetted, and trained in the specialist techniques required to remove construction residue without damaging newly installed surfaces, fixtures, or finishes. We carry €6.5 million in public liability insurance and €13 million in employer's liability cover — essential when working on high-value new builds and renovation projects.
After Builders Cleaning
After builders cleaning â also called a builders clean or post-construction clean â removes all construction dust, debris, paint splashes, plaster residue, and cement marks left behind after building work. Whether you have had a new extension built, a full house renovation, a commercial fit-out, or a new-build handover, our after builders cleaning teams restore your property to a move-in ready standard.
The Three Phases of Post Construction Cleaning
Post construction cleaning is not a single task. It is a phased process, and understanding the three phases is critical to getting the timing and the result right. Each phase serves a different purpose, and skipping or combining phases leads to a substandard finish.
Phase 1: Rough Clean
The rough clean takes place while construction is still in progress, typically after the major structural work is complete but before the final fix trades (painters, tilers, carpet layers) have finished. The purpose of the rough clean is to make the site safe, accessible, and workable for the remaining trades.
- Removal of all large construction debris: offcuts, packaging, broken materials
- Sweeping all floors to remove loose rubble, sand, and aggregate
- Clearing stairwells and corridors for safe access
- Removing construction waste to designated skips or waste collection points
- Basic wipe-down of completed surfaces to protect them from further damage
- Window protection film removal where applicable
The rough clean is essential on multi-trade sites where different contractors need clean, safe access to complete their work. It also reduces the volume of debris that must be dealt with in later phases.
Phase 2: Builders Clean
The builders clean is the most labour-intensive phase and takes place after all trades have completed their work. This is where the bulk of construction residue is removed from every surface in the building.
- HEPA-filtered vacuuming of all floors, surfaces, and hard-to-reach areas
- Removal of plaster and cement splashes from floors, walls, and fixtures
- Scraping paint drips and overspray from glass, tiles, and hardware
- Removal of adhesive residue, sticker marks, and protective tape
- Cleaning all internal and external windows, including frame tracks
- Wiping down all skirting boards, architraves, door frames, and windowsills
- Cleaning inside all cupboards, wardrobes, and storage units
- Sanitising all bathroom fixtures: toilets, basins, baths, showers, taps
- Cleaning kitchen units inside and out, including all appliances
- Damp-mopping hard floors to remove embedded dust
- Vacuuming newly laid carpets with HEPA filtration
The builders clean typically takes a full day for a standard 3-bedroom house and 2 to 5 days for larger residential or commercial projects. We use HEPA-filtered industrial vacuum systems because standard vacuums simply recirculate fine construction dust back into the air.
Phase 3: Sparkle Clean
The sparkle clean is the final presentation clean that brings the property to a handover-ready, showroom standard. This is the clean that the buyer, tenant, or client sees on the day they walk in.
- Final detailed cleaning of every visible surface
- Polishing all chrome, stainless steel, and glass fixtures
- Streak-free cleaning of all windows and mirrors
- Final vacuum and mop of all floor areas
- Touch-up cleaning of any marks or smudges from snagging works
- Quality inspection walk-through with snagging checklist
- Photography of completed rooms for handover documentation
The sparkle clean is typically scheduled 1 to 2 days before handover. If snagging works are carried out after the sparkle clean, a touch-up visit may be required.
Expert Advice: Wait 4 to 5 Days Before the Final Clean
One of the most common mistakes homeowners and contractors make is scheduling the final clean too soon after the builders leave. Construction dust is extremely fine — particularly plaster dust, which can remain suspended in the air for days after the last trade leaves the site.
If you clean the property while this dust is still airborne, it will continue to settle on every surface after the cleaning team has left. The result is a property that looks dusty again within 24 to 48 hours, leading to complaints and call-backs.
Our recommendation: wait 4 to 5 days after all construction work has finished before scheduling the sparkle clean. The builders clean (Phase 2) can be done immediately after the last trade finishes, as this phase is about removing the heavy residue. But the sparkle clean should be timed to allow all airborne dust to settle first.
If the property has been sealed during construction (windows closed, no ventilation), we recommend opening windows and running any HVAC system for 24 hours before the sparkle clean to circulate and settle the remaining dust.
The Health Hazard of Construction Dust
Post construction dust is not ordinary household dust. It can contain hazardous materials that pose genuine health risks if not removed properly:
- Silica dust — generated by cutting, grinding, or drilling concrete, brick, stone, and plaster. Respirable crystalline silica is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prolonged exposure causes silicosis and increases the risk of lung cancer.
- Wood dust — from sawing, sanding, and planing. Hardwood dust is a known carcinogen. Softwood dust causes respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.
- Fibreglass particles — from insulation materials. Causes skin irritation, eye irritation, and respiratory problems.
- Chemical residues — volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives, sealants, paints, and varnishes. Can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation.
- Lead dust — present in renovations of pre-1970s buildings where lead paint was used. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children.
This is why post construction cleaning requires HEPA-filtered equipment (which captures particles down to 0.3 microns) and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the cleaning team. Standard domestic cleaning equipment is not adequate for this work.
Post Construction Cleaning Pricing in Ireland
Post construction cleaning costs depend on the size of the property, the type and extent of the construction work, and the phases required. Below are indicative pricing ranges for 2026.
| Property Type | Builders Clean | Sparkle Clean | Full 3-Phase Clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 Bed Apartment | €250 – €350 | €150 – €250 | €400 – €550 |
| 3 Bed Semi-Detached | €350 – €500 | €200 – €350 | €500 – €750 |
| 4–5 Bed Detached | €500 – €750 | €300 – €450 | €700 – €1,100 |
| Commercial Office (per 100m²) | €300 – €500 | €200 – €350 | €450 – €750 |
| Multi-Unit Development (per unit) | €200 – €400 | €150 – €250 | €350 – €600 |
All pricing is exclusive of VAT. Volume discounts are available for multi-unit residential developments and commercial projects with 10 or more units. Optus Glean provides fixed-price quotations after a free site assessment, so you know the exact cost before any work begins.
Room-by-Room Post Construction Cleaning Checklist
Every Optus Glean post construction clean follows a standardised room-by-room checklist. This ensures nothing is missed and provides a documented record for handover.
Kitchens
- Clean inside and outside all units, drawers, and cupboards
- Remove protective film from appliances and worktops
- Clean and polish all appliances: oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher
- Clean sink, taps, and splashback
- Remove plaster or grout residue from tiles and worktops
- Clean light fittings and switches
- Vacuum and mop floor
Bathrooms and En-suites
- Clean and sanitise toilet, basin, bath, and shower
- Remove grout haze from wall and floor tiles
- Polish all chrome taps, shower fittings, and towel rails
- Clean mirrors and glass shower screens streak-free
- Clean extractor fans and light fittings
- Remove adhesive residue and sticker marks
- Vacuum and mop floor
Bedrooms and Living Spaces
- HEPA vacuum all carpeted areas or mop hard floors
- Wipe all windowsills, skirting boards, and door frames
- Clean inside wardrobes and storage units
- Remove paint drips and marks from all surfaces
- Clean all windows internally, including tracks and seals
- Dust and wipe all light fittings and switches
- Wipe radiators and vents
Working with Contractors and Developers
Most of our post construction cleaning work comes from contractors and property developers who need a reliable cleaning partner that understands construction site protocols. When you work with Optus Glean, you get:
- Safe Pass certified teams — All operatives hold valid Safe Pass cards, allowing them to work on active and recently completed construction sites.
- Programme integration — We work to your construction programme, scheduling cleans around your trades and your handover dates.
- Snagging coordination — We identify snagging items during the cleaning process and report them to your site manager before the sparkle clean, so they can be addressed without requiring additional cleaning visits.
- Volume capacity — For multi-unit developments, we can deploy multiple teams to clean multiple units simultaneously, keeping your handover programme on track.
- Consistent quality — Every unit is cleaned to the same checklist by trained teams. No variation between units.
Need external window cleaning or pressure washing of external areas as part of the handover? These services can be scheduled alongside the post construction clean for a seamless finish.
Residential vs Commercial Post Construction Cleaning
While the fundamentals are the same, commercial post construction cleaning involves additional considerations:
- Scale — Commercial projects are measured in thousands of square metres. We deploy teams of 4 to 12 operatives with industrial equipment to match the scale of the project.
- Floor types — Commercial premises often feature polished concrete, vinyl, raised access floors, or specialist safety flooring. Each requires different cleaning methods and products.
- Fit-out residue — Office fit-outs generate specific residue including cable dust, ceiling tile debris, carpet tile adhesive, and partition plaster dust.
- Out-of-hours working — If the building is partially occupied, we schedule cleaning outside business hours to avoid disruption.
- Handover documentation — Commercial clients often require photographic evidence and sign-off documentation for the building handover pack.
Builders Clean Pricing by County
Post-construction cleaning costs vary by region. Dublin commands the highest prices due to labour costs and demand, while regional areas offer more competitive rates. The following table shows indicative pricing for a standard 3-bedroom house builders clean plus sparkle clean across key counties in 2026.
| County | Builders Clean | Sparkle Clean | Full 3-Phase Clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €400 – €650 | €250 – €400 | €600 – €950 |
| Cork | €380 – €550 | €220 – €380 | €550 – €850 |
| Galway | €350 – €520 | €200 – €360 | €500 – €800 |
| Limerick | €340 – €500 | €200 – €350 | €500 – €780 |
| Monaghan (Head Office) | €300 – €450 | €180 – €320 | €450 – €700 |
All prices are exclusive of VAT at the current rate. Pricing is based on a standard 3-bedroom semi-detached house. Larger properties, commercial premises, and multi-unit developments are priced individually after a site survey. Monaghan benefits from our lowest mobilisation costs as our head office county. Request a free site survey for an accurate fixed-price quotation. For projects in County Kildare, see our dedicated post-construction cleaning in Kildare page.
Developer Partnership Programme
If you are a construction company, property developer, or main contractor delivering multiple builds per year, our Developer Partnership Programme gives you a structured, cost-effective way to manage post-construction cleaning across all your projects.
The programme is designed for contractors who need a reliable, quality-consistent cleaning partner they can build into their project programmes from the start, rather than scrambling for a cleaner at the last minute before handover.
How the Programme Works
- Framework agreement — We sign a 12-month framework agreement with agreed rates for rough cleans, builders cleans, and sparkle cleans by property type and size. No per-project tendering required.
- Priority scheduling — Your projects receive priority scheduling. When your programme shifts (and it always does), we flex with you. Our teams are allocated to your projects in advance.
- Volume discounts — Framework rates are 10–15% below our standard pricing. The more projects you put through the framework, the better the rates.
- Single account manager — One person manages all your projects. They learn your standards, your site managers’ preferences, and your handover processes.
- Snagging integration — We identify and report snagging items during the cleaning process, so your site team can address them before the sparkle clean. This saves time and avoids call-backs.
- Documentation pack — For every project, we provide a handover-ready documentation pack: cleaning schedule, checklist completion records, before-and-after photographs, and a completion certificate for your files.
- Multi-unit deployment — For developments with 10 or more units, we deploy multiple teams to clean several units simultaneously, keeping your handover programme on track.
Our Developer Partnership clients include residential builders, commercial fit-out contractors, and mixed-use development companies across Ireland. If you deliver 3 or more construction projects per year, this programme will save you time, money, and handover headaches. Contact us to discuss a framework agreement.
The Three Phases: Before and After
Understanding what happens at each phase — and what the property looks like before and after — helps set expectations for contractors, developers, and homeowners.
Phase 1: Rough Clean — Site to Safe
Before: The site is a working construction zone. Floors are covered in rubble, offcuts, dust, packaging materials, and discarded fixings. Stairwells may be blocked. Access is restricted by debris. Wet trades (plastering, tiling) may still be ongoing in some areas.
What we do:
- Remove all large construction debris, packaging, and waste to skips
- Sweep all floor areas to remove loose rubble, sand, and aggregate
- Clear stairwells, corridors, and doorways for safe access
- Basic wipe-down of completed surfaces to protect finishes
- Remove window protection film where applicable
- Segregate waste by type (general, timber, plasterboard, metal)
After: The site is clean enough for remaining trades to work safely and efficiently. Floors are swept, access routes are clear, and completed areas are protected. The property is still a construction site, but an organised one.
Typical duration: 1 day for a standard house, 2–5 days for larger commercial projects.
Phase 2: Builders Clean — Construction Residue Removed
Before: All trades have finished but every surface is coated in fine construction dust. Paint splashes mark windows, tiles, and hardware. Adhesive residue, sticker marks, and protective tape remnants cover fixtures. Plaster dust has settled into every corner, track, and crevice. Grout haze covers bathroom and kitchen tiles.
What we do:
- HEPA-filtered vacuum all floors, surfaces, and hard-to-reach areas
- Remove plaster splashes, cement marks, and grout haze
- Scrape paint drips from glass, tiles, and fixtures
- Remove adhesive residue, tape marks, and sticker remnants
- Clean all internal windows including tracks and seals
- Wipe all skirting boards, architraves, door frames, and windowsills
- Clean inside cupboards, wardrobes, and storage units
- Sanitise all bathrooms and kitchens
- Damp-mop all hard floors
After: The property is clean but not yet presentation-ready. All construction residue has been removed. Surfaces are dust-free. The building looks like a finished property rather than a construction site. Fine airborne dust may still be settling.
Typical duration: 1–2 days for a standard house, 3–7 days for larger projects.
Phase 3: Sparkle Clean — Handover Ready
Before: The property is generally clean from the builders clean, but settled dust is visible on surfaces, fingerprints from snagging inspections mark paintwork and glass, and fixtures lack the polished finish expected for handover.
What we do:
- Final HEPA vacuum all floors and soft furnishings
- Polish all chrome, stainless steel, and glass fixtures to a streak-free finish
- Final clean all windows and mirrors
- Touch-up clean any marks from post-builders-clean snagging work
- Detailed clean of every visible surface, edge, and corner
- Quality inspection walk-through with room-by-room checklist
- Photographic record of every room for handover documentation
After: The property is at showroom standard. Every surface gleams. Every window is streak-free. Every fixture is polished. The property is ready for the buyer, tenant, or client to walk in and be impressed. This is the clean they see and judge you by.
Typical duration: Half a day for a standard house, 1–3 days for larger projects.
More from the Construction Sector
“We have used Optus Glean on 14 units across two developments this year. The framework agreement means I just call them with the handover dates and they handle everything. No tendering, no surprises, and every unit is cleaned to the same standard. Our buyers have been delighted with the presentation.”
— Director, Residential Development Company, Dublin
“The snagging report they produce during the builders clean saved us two days on our last project. They spotted things our own site team missed. The sparkle clean was then flawless because the snagging was already done. That coordination is worth its weight in gold.”
— Site Manager, Commercial Fit-Out Contractor, Cork
Frequently Asked Questions About Post Construction Cleaning
How much does after builders cleaning cost in Ireland?
After builders cleaning in Ireland costs between €250 and €600 or more depending on the property size and the level of cleaning required. A sparkle clean for a standard 3-bedroom house typically costs €350 to €500. Larger commercial projects are priced per square metre or on a day-rate basis. Optus Glean provides fixed-price quotations after a free site assessment.
What is included in a post-construction clean?
A post-construction clean typically includes removal of all construction debris and packaging, HEPA vacuuming and mopping all floor areas, cleaning all internal windows and glass, wiping down all surfaces including skirting boards and door frames, sanitising bathrooms and kitchens, removing paint splashes and adhesive residue, polishing all fixtures and fittings, and a final inspection walk-through. The exact scope depends on whether you need a rough clean, builders clean, or sparkle clean.
What is the difference between a builders clean and a sparkle clean?
A builders clean is the second phase that removes the bulk of construction residue including dust, plaster splashes, paint marks, and adhesive residue. A sparkle clean is the final phase that brings the property to a showroom or move-in standard. It includes detailed cleaning of every surface, polishing fixtures, cleaning inside cupboards and appliances, and a final quality inspection. The sparkle clean is what the client or buyer sees on handover day.
How long after builders leave should I clean?
You should wait 4 to 5 days after builders leave before scheduling the final sparkle clean. This allows fine construction dust to settle on surfaces rather than remaining airborne. The builders clean (Phase 2) can be done immediately after the last trade finishes, as this phase removes heavy residue. But the sparkle clean should be timed to allow all airborne dust to settle first. Optus Glean advises all clients on optimal timing during the initial site assessment.
What is a Phase 1 and Phase 2 builders clean?
Phase 1 (rough clean) takes place while construction is still ongoing. It involves removing large debris, sweeping floors, and making the site safe for the remaining trades. Phase 2 (builders clean) happens after all trades have finished and involves detailed removal of construction residue from all surfaces. Some projects add a Phase 3 (sparkle clean) as the final handover-ready clean. Optus Glean offers all three phases individually or as a complete package.
Is post-construction dust harmful?
Yes. Post-construction dust can contain silica (a Group 1 carcinogen), wood dust, fibreglass particles, chemical residues from adhesives and sealants, and lead particles in older renovations. This is why professional post-construction cleaners use HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment that captures particles down to 0.3 microns, along with appropriate PPE. Standard domestic cleaning equipment is not adequate for safely removing construction dust.
Post-Construction Cleaning by Region
We provide post-construction cleaning across all 26 counties. See our dedicated county pages for local pricing, development areas, and project-specific information:
- Post-Construction Cleaning Dublin — Cherrywood, Poolbeg SDZ, Silicon Docks, Howth, Dalkey, Ballsbridge, Foxrock, Greystones, Grangecastle
- Post-Construction Cleaning Cork — Cork Docklands, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Cobh, Little Island pharma, UCC campus, Mahon Point
- Post-Construction Cleaning Galway — Ardaun SDZ, Crown Square, Bonham Quay, Oranmore, Knocknacarra
- Post-Construction Cleaning Limerick — Opera Site, Mungret, Colbert Station quarter, Castletroy
- Post-Construction Cleaning Kildare — Naas, Newbridge, Celbridge, Maynooth developments
- Post-Construction Cleaning Meath — Navan, Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunboyne developments
- Post-Construction Cleaning Waterford — North Quays SDZ, Ferrybank, Waterford city developments
- Post-Construction Cleaning Clare — Ennis, Shannon, Clarecastle developments