A newly handed-over apartment may look finished without being ready for move-in. Fine construction dust, packaging residue and marks from installation work can remain on floors, windows and cabinets. The quote depends on the actual condition and the task list, so describe both before booking.
Related read: move-in apartment cleaning.
A handover clean is not automatically a post-build clean
A new apartment may have little everyday dirt and no furniture, yet fine dust can settle on floors, doors, window sills and inside cabinets. Stickers or residue from fitting work may also be present. Tell the cleaner what you see: removing construction residue is not automatically included in every apartment-cleaning service.
It is useful to distinguish a clean after handover from cleaning after renovation. If finishing work has just ended, or there are paint, grout, silicone or cement marks, mention them when asking for a quote. Different surfaces need different treatment, and the wrong product or an abrasive tool can damage a new finish.
Ask what the service name means in practice. Does it cover dust removal, bathrooms and kitchen, windows, cabinet interiors, or only accessible outer surfaces? A task-by-task scope is more informative than a generic promise to clean a new apartment.
What affects the quote
The apartment’s floor area and layout matter, as do the number of rooms and bathrooms, the amount of glazing, the balcony’s condition and how many surfaces need attention. Window access and visible construction marks can also change the time and equipment involved.
Two empty apartments may need very different work. One may mainly need dusting and floor washing; another may need cabinet interiors, kitchen fronts, window tracks and sanitary fixtures cleaned as well. This is why floor area alone may not be enough to compare quotes.
Practical arrangements count too: access to the building, water and electricity, parking or unloading, and any limits on working hours. Share these details before confirming a booking so the cleaner can assess the visit and the expected scope.
How to request comparable quotes
Prepare the apartment’s area, room and bathroom count, neighbourhood, when finishing work ended and your preferred cleaning date. Send photos of the floor, windows, kitchen and any areas with visible residue. Photos help with an initial assessment, although an in-person look may be needed for a clear scope.
Ask for a written list of included tasks and exclusions. Specifically check whether the quote covers glass, frames and tracks, the balcony, cabinet interiors, sticker removal, and taking away packaging or building debris. Do not assume these tasks come with a standard clean.
Find out who supplies equipment and products, how delicate finishes are treated, and how the cleaner handles marks that may not be safely removable. A written scope makes it easier to compare like with like rather than choosing between vague service labels.
Before the clean and when checking the result
Walk through the apartment and photograph existing scratches, cracks, stains or other defects before work begins. If you plan to raise a mark with the contractor, discuss it before asking the cleaner to treat it: cleaning may change how the mark looks and make it harder to assess.
Point out surfaces that need special care, such as natural stone, glossy cabinetry, coated glass or new flooring. If there is doubt about a product, ask for a test on an inconspicuous spot or agree on another method before the work starts.
At the end, check the agreed areas with the cleaner: floors, kitchen, bathrooms, windows and cabinet interiors if included. If a listed task was missed, show it during the walkthrough and agree how it will be addressed. For a broader move-in checklist, see our guide to move-in apartment cleaning.
