A checklist for the clean before handover

The handover clean is the last job on a build and the first thing the client judges it on. Use this list to scope it, whether you do it yourself or book it out.

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Before the cleaners arrive

• Every trade finished in the area being cleaned, or it will be cleaned twice
• Rubble, offcuts and packaging removed from site
• Water and electricity on, so the cleaners can work and test the fittings
• Protective film and labels left on, to come off during the clean
• A snag list drawn up, so damage found during the clean is not mistaken for damage caused by it

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Top down, room by room

Work from the top down so dust falls onto surfaces that have not been done yet: ceilings and light fittings first, floors last.

• Ceilings, cornices, light fittings and vents dusted
• Walls spot-cleaned of marks, paint splashes and fingerprints
• Windows cleaned inside and out, frames, sills and tracks included, with film and labels removed
• Doors, frames, handles and hinges wiped down
• Switches and plug points cleaned
• Built-in cupboards cleaned inside and out, shelves and drawer runners included
• Skirting boards dusted and wiped

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Kitchens and bathrooms

• Toilets, basins and baths cleaned, with sealant and grout residue removed
• Taps, mixers and shower heads polished
• Tiles and grout lines cleaned of haze
• Mirrors and glass shower doors left streak-free
• Stove, oven and extractor cleaned inside, with protective film removed
• Drains checked for building debris

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Floors

• Vacuumed first to lift the fine dust, then washed with the right product for the floor
• Paint, plaster and adhesive spots removed without scratching
• Tile haze removed
• Carpets vacuumed, or cleaned where the trades have marked them

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Outside

• Paving and walkways swept and washed
• Outside windows and glass doors cleaned
• Gutters and drains clear of debris
• Bins emptied and the site left tidy

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Mind the dust

Construction dust is fine and abrasive. Wiped dry across glass or a polished surface, it scratches. Use the right product for each surface, start with the gentlest one, and test anything strong in a hidden corner first.

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Book it with the trades

We run post-construction handover cleans with trained, equipped and supervised staff, and supply the cleaning products as well. Book the clean when you book the trades, and the building will be ready when the client walks through it.