Office move-in, move-out and after-builders cleans

Office cleans for lease end handovers, new tenants and after refurbishment works, including builders' dust removal. What is included and UK costs.

In short: Move-in, move-out and after-builders cleans are one-off office cleans timed around a change of occupation or the end of works: preparing premises for a new team, returning them in clean condition at the end of a lease, or removing fine construction dust after refurbishment. They suit tenants, landlords, managing agents and fit-out contractors. In the UK a small office end-of-lease clean typically costs around £250 to £600, with after-builders cleans often priced per m².

Get a free quote

Fixed price, no obligation. We aim to reply the same day.

Office move-in, move-out and after-builders cleans

Moving out of an office usually means meeting the condition set out in the lease. Many commercial leases require the premises to be left clean, and a dilapidations schedule from the landlord can list cleaning items alongside repairs. A thorough move-out clean, including carpets if required, helps avoid the landlord charging for cleaning after you have gone. Moving in is the reverse: you want the space hygienic, dust-free and ready for desks and IT before staff arrive.

After-builders cleaning is a specialist job because construction dust is fine, gets everywhere and settles again for days. It is usually done in stages: a builders' clean to remove debris and heavy dust, then a sparkle clean once trades have finished, and sometimes a final touch-up after furniture is installed. Fine dust from plaster, cutting and sanding can contain silica, so dry sweeping is avoided and dust is collected with suitable vacuum cleaners and damp wiping.

What is included

Removal of fine construction dust from every surface, including high-level areas and inside cupboards
Cleaning of windows, frames and sills, removing paint spots and protective film where agreed
Kitchens and washrooms cleaned and descaled ready for use
Floors vacuumed with suitable dust-rated vacuums and hard floors mopped or machine scrubbed
Light switches, sockets, radiators, doors and frames wiped down
Carpet extraction cleaning added for lease end handovers where required
Staged cleans timed around trades finishing and furniture arriving

Who it is for

Tenants returning premises at the end of a lease
Businesses moving into a new office or newly refurbished floor
Landlords and managing agents preparing vacant space for viewings
Fit-out contractors needing a handover clean
Offices after partial refurbishment, such as a new kitchen or washroom

How much does it cost?

As a guide, an end-of-lease clean of a small UK office typically costs around £250 to £600, more if carpet extraction is included. After-builders cleans depend heavily on the amount of dust and number of stages, and are often priced at roughly £2 to £5 per m². See our full cost guide.

How it works

How office move-in, move-out and after-builders cleans works, step by step

Check the requirement

For move-outs, the lease or dilapidations schedule is checked; for after-builders work, the programme of trades is confirmed.

Plan the stages

Cleans are timed after dusty work has finished, with a final sparkle clean once furniture and IT are installed if needed.

Dust control

Dust is removed with suitable vacuums and damp methods rather than dry sweeping, working from high level down.

Handover check

The space is checked with you, your agent or the fit-out contractor and photographed for your records.

Office move-in, move-out and after-builders cleans: FAQs

Does the lease require us to clean the office when we leave?

Many commercial leases include a yield-up clause requiring the premises to be returned clean and in a stated condition, and dilapidations schedules often list cleaning items. Check your lease or ask your surveyor. Leaving the office properly cleaned, with photos taken on the day, makes it harder for cleaning costs to be added to a dilapidations claim.

When should an after-builders clean be booked?

Book the main clean once all dusty work, such as sanding, cutting and plastering, has finished, but before furniture and IT go in. If trades are still working in the space, dust will settle again and you will pay twice. A short final sparkle clean after furniture is installed is often worthwhile before staff move in.

Why does builders' dust keep coming back?

Fine construction dust stays airborne for hours and settles on surfaces, inside ventilation and in carpets, so it often reappears after the first clean. Ventilation grilles and air conditioning units can also release trapped dust. A staged approach, using suitable vacuums with fine filters and damp wiping rather than dry dusting, is what controls it.

Can the move-out clean include removing old furniture and waste?

Cleaning and clearance are usually separate services. Cleaners remove normal waste and leave bins empty, but disposing of old desks, chairs, IT equipment or large amounts of rubbish needs a registered waste carrier and, for electronics, WEEE-compliant recycling. Arrange clearance before the final clean so the empty space can be cleaned properly.