---
title: "How professional post-renovation cleaning works: 3 phases"
description: "What to expect from booked post-renovation cleaning: rough cleaning, washing and final cleaning, what tradespeople must finish first and how to accept the work."
url: https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/jak-probiha-uklid-po-rekonstrukci-krok-za-krokem
language: en
updated: 2026-11-12
publisher: Úklid 1-2-3 (info@uklid123.cz, +420 608 486 486)
---

Moving and renovation

# How professional post-renovation cleaning works: three phases from rough clean to finishing touches

Rough cleaning, washing and final cleaning: what booked post-renovation cleaning involves, when to schedule it and what to agree with the company beforehand.

Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team · Published 12 November 2026 · Last reviewed 12 November 2026 · 8 min read

## In short

- Post-renovation cleaning takes place in three phases: rough cleaning, washing of surfaces and final cleaning.
- Book it only after all dust-generating work is finished: sanding, drilling, cutting and painting.
- Construction dust is not swept dry; it is dampened and vacuumed with an industrial vacuum cleaner.
- Cement residue on tiles is removed following the tile manufacturer's instructions, testing acidic products on a hidden spot first.
- Rubble removal and the repair of tradespeople's defects are usually not part of cleaning, so agree on them separately.

Professional post-renovation cleaning usually takes place in three phases: first a rough clean, which removes material residue and the thick layer of construction dust; then washing of all surfaces, including windows, tiles and sanitaryware; and finally a final clean, which picks up the dust that settled during the previous steps. It only makes sense to book it once the tradespeople have finished all the work that creates dust.

This article describes what to expect from booked cleaning and how to prepare for it. If you would rather clean yourself, you will find a detailed procedure with equipment in the article [Post-renovation cleaning: procedure, equipment and what to avoid](https://uklid123.cz/blog/uklid-po-rekonstrukci-postup) .

## When to book cleaning: what the tradespeople must finish first

Post-renovation cleaning is best done once, after the dusty work has ended. If sanding, drilling or cutting still takes place after washing, the dust spreads around the whole flat again and the washing has to be repeated.

Before the cleaning date, the following should be finished:

- sanding, cutting and drilling, including additional holes for shelves, light fittings and curtain rods,
- painting, skim coats and plaster repairs after the electrician or plumber,
- grouting and silicone sealing of tiles, with the curing time given in the technical data sheet of the compound used,
- installation of the kitchen unit, built-in wardrobes, doors and door frames,
- removal of rubble, packaging and leftover material,
- working water and electricity, without which cleaning cannot be carried out.

Minor jobs that do not create dust can take place after cleaning: fitting handles, replacing switch covers or adjusting cupboard doors. If a tradesperson still has to drill after cleaning, ask them to cover the surroundings and extract the dust directly at the tool.

## What to agree with the company in advance

The scope of cleaning differs according to what was done in the flat. Replacing the floor in one room and a complete renovation of a flat with new windows are entirely different jobs. When requesting a quote, therefore, describe:

- the size of the flat and which rooms the renovation affected,
- what work took place: demolition, new plaster, floor sanding, window replacement,
- the number of windows and balcony doors and whether protective films remain on the frames,
- the type of floors: tiles, wood, vinyl, carpet,
- whether rubble or packaging remains in the flat,
- access: floor, lift, parking, water and electricity on site.

Photographs of the current state will help estimate the scope more accurately than a verbal description. What affects the price is summarised on the page [how much post-renovation cleaning costs](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-uklid-po-rekonstrukci) . How to prepare the flat for the arrival of the cleaning team is described in the article [How to prepare for the arrival of a cleaning company](https://uklid123.cz/blog/jak-se-pripravit-na-navstevu-uklidove-firmy) .

Also make clear what the cleaning does not include. Rubble removal, washing windows from the outside at height or removing dried mortar and paint from the facade differ between individual offers, and it is better to have this in writing beforehand.

## Phase 1: rough cleaning

The aim of the first phase is to remove everything loose from the flat: material residue, packaging, bits of plaster and, above all, the layer of dust on floors and horizontal surfaces. Construction dust is not just a mess. The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that regularly breathing in construction dust can cause lung diseases, such as silicosis, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It distinguishes between silica dust from concrete, mortar and sandstone, wood dust and general dust, for example from plasterboard ( [HSE: Construction dust](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis36.pdf) ).

For this reason, dry sweeping with a broom, which lifts dust into the air, is not used in this phase. For removing small debris and dust, the HSE recommends dampening, vacuuming with attachments connected to an H- or M-class extraction unit and, depending on the place, duration and type of work, respiratory protection, such as an FFP3 respirator or a half mask with a P3 filter.

Rough cleaning usually looks like this:

- Carrying out leftover material, packaging and protective films from the floors.
- Dampening and collecting coarse dirt with a dustpan and brush.
- Vacuuming dust from top to bottom: ceilings and corners, walls, the top edges of doors, door frames and cupboards.
- Vacuuming windowsills, radiators, skirting boards, electrical boxes and the insides of cupboards.
- Vacuuming floors, onto which dust from the walls has meanwhile fallen.

### Rubble and construction waste

Decree No. 273/2021 Sb. states in Section 42 that, when a building is constructed or maintained, demolished materials and waste listed in Annex 24 are collected separately, including concrete, bricks, ceramic tiles, plasterboard, wood, metals, plastics and glass. Under the same section, waste containing asbestos must be packed immediately in airtight packaging or placed in sealed containers and handed over to a designated facility ( [Decree No. 273/2021 Sb.](https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2021-273) ).

This is general information, not legal advice. Agree with the tradespeople who will sort and remove the waste, and check the conditions for your situation, for example with your municipality. Practical options are described in the article [Disposal of construction rubble after a flat renovation in Prague](https://uklid123.cz/blog/likvidace-stavebni-suti-po-rekonstrukci) .

## Phase 2: washing surfaces

Once the loose dust is gone, all surfaces are washed with water and a suitable product. Only now does it become clear what has remained stuck on: drops of paint, mortar, adhesive, silicone residue and cement residue on tiles.

### Tiles and wall tiles

The ceramics manufacturer RAKO states that post-construction cleaning follows laying and grouting and removes mainly cement and construction residues. For cement residue, it recommends an acidic remover; before using it, the surface and joints should be thoroughly dampened with clean water, rinsed several times after cleaning, and the suitability of the product tested first in an inconspicuous place ( [RAKO: Cleaning and maintenance of ceramic wall and floor tiles](https://www.rako.cz/cs/pro-odborniky/vlastnosti-a-udrzba-keramickych-prvku/cisteni-a-udrzba) ). For tiles from another manufacturer and for natural stone, follow the instructions of their manufacturer.

### Windows and frames

Protective films on frames serve only during installation. How long they may stay on and what to clean the frames with is stated in the window manufacturer's instructions, which you should receive at handover. Do not rub dried mortar or plaster on glass dry or with a wire pad, as grains of sand can scratch both the glass and the frame. Soak it first and only then remove it carefully.

Next come the glass, frames, windowsills, fittings and drainage channels in the frames, where construction dust easily settles.

### Kitchen, bathroom and other surfaces

- cupboard doors and interiors, because dust gets inside too,
- sanitaryware, taps and the shower enclosure, including adhesive and silicone residue,
- doors, door frames, switches and sockets,
- radiators and ventilation grilles,
- light fittings, if already installed.

The same rules apply to all cleaning products: read the label, ventilate and wear gloves. Never mix products containing chlorine with acids or ammonia, and always try a new product first in a hidden spot.

## Phase 3: final cleaning

During washing, some of the fine dust is lifted again and settles on surfaces that have already been washed. That is why the cleaning ends with a final phase, which is carried out only after washing is complete, ideally after an interval.

- Wiping dust from all horizontal surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Vacuuming and mopping floors according to the type of flooring.
- Polishing glass, mirrors and stainless steel.
- Checking details: skirting boards, corners, the top edges of doors, the insides of drawers.
- Airing the flat.

Ventilation is important above all after painting and varnishing. The US EPA states that paints and varnishes contain organic solvents, recommends increasing ventilation when using products that release volatile organic compounds and warns that elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity has finished ( [EPA: Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality) ). Ventilate therefore also in the days after cleaning.

## Company or do it yourself?

The decision depends on the scope of the work, your time and equipment. As a guide:

| Situation | What is usually enough |
| --- | --- |
| Painting one or two rooms | Cleaning yourself following instructions, thorough ventilation |
| Replacing the floor or windows in part of the flat | Cleaning yourself with a vacuum cleaner suitable for construction dust, or booked window and floor washing |
| Complete renovation of a flat, or of the bathroom and kitchen | Booked cleaning of all three phases |
| The flat is to be handed over, let or photographed for sale immediately | Booked cleaning with a fixed date |

Post-renovation cleaning is also offered by Úklid 1-2-3; what it includes is described on the page [post-renovation cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/sluzby/uklid-po-rekonstrukci) .

## How to accept the cleaning

- Walk through the flat in daylight, ideally together with the person who cleaned.
- Look at windows and mirrors against the light; streaks and mortar residue are most visible that way.
- Run a finger along the top edges of doors, cupboards and the windowsills.
- Open cupboards and drawers and check the tile joints.
- Note down any shortcomings and agree on re-cleaning on the spot.

Defects that are not dirt, for example scratches on glass, missing silicone or an uneven joint, belong to the tradespeople. Cleaning does not repair them, but it reveals them well, so after cleaning is a suitable time to accept the work from the tradespeople.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long after the renovation is finished should I book cleaning?

Schedule cleaning only after all work that creates dust has finished, that is sanding, drilling, cutting and painting. Grouting and silicone compounds should be cured according to the manufacturer's technical data sheet, because tile cleaning is done after laying and grouting. If drilling still takes place after cleaning, the dust will spread again and the washing will need to be repeated.

### Will the cleaning company also take away construction rubble?

It depends on what you agree; rubble removal is not usually an automatic part of cleaning. Decree No. 273/2021 Sb. requires construction materials and waste, such as concrete, bricks, plasterboard or metals, to be collected separately, and special handling of asbestos. Agree in advance with the tradespeople and the cleaning company who will sort and remove the rubble, and check the conditions with your municipality.

### Why should construction dust not be swept with a broom?

Dry sweeping lifts fine dust into the air, from where it settles again on all surfaces and can be inhaled. For removing small debris and dust, the British HSE recommends dampening, vacuuming with an H- or M-class extraction unit and, depending on the type and duration of the work, respiratory protection such as an FFP3 respirator.

### Do I need to be present during post-renovation cleaning?

You do not need to be there for the whole cleaning if you arrange the handover of keys and access with the company. It is useful to be present at the start, when you can point out delicate surfaces and places with mortar or paint, and say what must not be washed with acidic products. At the end, it is worth walking through the flat and agreeing on the spot any areas to be cleaned again.

## Sources

- [Construction dust (Construction Information Sheet No 36) – Health and Safety Executive](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis36.pdf) (checked 12 November 2026)
- [Vyhláška č. 273/2021 Sb., o podrobnostech nakládání s odpady – Zákony pro lidi](https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2021-273) (checked 12 November 2026)
- [Čištění a údržba keramických obkladů a dlažeb – RAKO](https://www.rako.cz/cs/pro-odborniky/vlastnosti-a-udrzba-keramickych-prvku/cisteni-a-udrzba) (checked 12 November 2026)
- [Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality – U.S. EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality) (checked 12 November 2026)

Prepared by the Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team with the help of AI and verified against the sources listed. Manufacturers' instructions and regulations change: always follow the current wording of the source and the product label. This article is general information, not professional or legal advice. This article was translated from Czech with the help of AI. The sources are in the original language.

## Would you rather not clean yourself?

Choose a service and a part of Prague and you will see an estimated price straight away. We will get back to you with a date; the enquiry is non-binding.

[Calculate the price and request cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/poptavka?sluzba=stehovani) [How much does it cost](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-uklid-po-rekonstrukci)

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