TLDR: Pressure cleaning at handover removes construction grime from driveways, paths, external walls, retaining walls, and outdoor entertaining areas. Not every project needs it. New homes with sealed driveways often do, especially if trades have parked or worked on the driveway. Pressure cleaning sits outside the standard builders clean package. Build Clean offers high-pressure cleaning from $94 per hour as a tailored extra alongside the standard clean, or as a standalone service.
What is pressure cleaning at handover?
Pressure cleaning uses high-pressure water (typically 2,000 to 4,000 psi) to remove dirt, grime, paint splatter, mortar dust, tyre marks, and construction residue from external surfaces. At handover, it’s used on:
- Concrete driveways
- Pathways and walkways
- Outdoor entertaining areas (alfresco, decks, patios)
- External walls (render, brick, painted surfaces)
- Retaining walls
- Pool surrounds
- External cladding
- Garage floors
A standard builders clean focuses on internal surfaces and window cleaning. Pressure cleaning is a separate service.
When does a handover need pressure cleaning?
Five situations where pressure cleaning is essential at handover:
1. Trades have driven or worked on the driveway. Tyre marks, paint drips, mortar drops, concrete splatter. All visible at handover. The client notices immediately.
2. External walls have construction overspray. Paint, render, or texture-coat overspray from nearby trade work. Affects appearance and can be permanent if not removed quickly.
3. The outdoor area is part of the handover presentation. Custom homes with significant outdoor entertaining areas need the alfresco, pool surround, and outdoor kitchen to be presentation-ready alongside the interior.
4. New concrete or paving has efflorescence. White mineral deposits common on new concrete and paving in the first weeks. A pressure clean with the right chemistry removes it.
5. Existing surfaces have accumulated construction grime. Driveways, paths, and walls that look “fine” up close often have a film of construction dust that becomes obvious in the right light. A pressure clean lifts it.
What does pressure cleaning cost?
Pressure cleaning is priced separately from the standard builders clean. Build Clean’s high-pressure cleaning rate is $94 per hour during standard hours, with after-hours, weekend, and public holiday rates priced higher.
Pricing varies with:
- Total area to be cleaned
- Surface type (sealed concrete vs unsealed, render vs brick)
- Access (driveway from street vs internal courtyard requiring equipment movement)
- Level of soiling (light film vs heavy paint splatter)
- Water access (live water vs water tank required)
A typical residential handover pressure clean (driveway, path, alfresco) sits in a range of several hundred to over one thousand dollars depending on the project.
Surfaces that need careful handling
Not every external surface tolerates high-pressure water. Operators need to match pressure and technique to the surface:
Sealed concrete driveways. Standard pressure cleaning. 2,000 to 3,000 psi. The sealant withstands the pressure.
Unsealed concrete. Lower pressure (1,500 to 2,000 psi). High pressure can erode the surface.
Aggregate or exposed aggregate. Care needed not to dislodge stones. Test patch first.
Pavers and natural stone. Lower pressure. Sand joints can wash out at high pressure.
Painted brick or render. Lowest pressure setting. High pressure strips paint.
Lime mortar and heritage brickwork. Should not be pressure cleaned. Forces water into joints.
Composite decking. Lower pressure with appropriate detergent. Aggressive cleaning damages the composite surface.
Timber decking. Specific timber cleaner and gentle pressure. Excess pressure raises the grain and damages the finish.
Common pressure cleaning mistakes
Using too much pressure. Cheap operators dial up the PSI to clean faster. The result is damaged surfaces. Specialist cleaners match pressure to material.
Skipping the chemistry. Pure water doesn’t remove oil, paint, or efflorescence. The right pre-treatment with the right chemistry is essential.
Working at wrong distance. Pressure drops with distance from the surface. Too close concentrates force and can scar surfaces. Too far reduces effectiveness.
Not protecting plants and finishes. Pressure water on garden beds destroys mulch and damages plants. Splashing onto recently painted walls or polished concrete causes water marks.
Ignoring drainage. Pressure cleaning generates a lot of dirty water. Without managing drainage, the runoff contaminates other surfaces.
Build Clean operators are trained on these specifics and quote with the right approach for the surface.
Pressure cleaning vs builders clean
These are different services:
These are different services:Builders clean. Standard handover scope including internal cleaning, window cleaning, and detail finishing. $8 to $12 per m² for residential.
Pressure cleaning. External hard-surface cleaning. Priced separately at $94 per hour standard rate, with after-hours and weekend rates priced higher.
Most residential handovers benefit from both. Many builders book them together for a one-stop handover service. Build Clean coordinates both as a combined booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is pressure cleaning included in a builders clean? Pressure cleaning sits outside the standard builders clean. Build Clean offers it as a tailored extra alongside the standard clean, or as a standalone service. Many builders book both at the same time so the entire site is handover-ready.
Can you pressure clean retaining walls and outdoor walls? Yes. Build Clean handles render, brick, painted surfaces, and natural stone walls with appropriate pressure and chemistry for each material.
Do you need a water supply on site? Yes. Live water on site is standard. For projects without water available, water tanks can be brought to site at additional cost.
Can you remove paint splatter from a driveway? Yes. Build Clean uses specific solvents combined with pressure cleaning to remove construction paint splatter from concrete and pavers.
How long does a typical residential pressure clean take? A standard residential driveway, path, and alfresco area takes 3 to 6 hours depending on size and soiling level.
Do you offer ongoing pressure cleaning after handover? Yes. Build Clean offers post-handover pressure cleaning as a standalone service for homeowners who want to maintain external surfaces over time.