"He did a great job, but left sawdust everywhere."
I've heard this about other tradespeople more times than I can count. The work might be excellent, but the mess they leave behind ruins the experience.
Why Cleanup Gets Skipped
The Mindset
Some tradespeople think:
- "The job is the work, not the tidying"
- "I'm a craftsman, not a cleaner"
- "They can hoover - it takes 5 minutes"
- "I've got another job to get to"
The Reality
What the customer experiences:
- Sawdust ground into carpet
- Plaster dust on furniture
- Packaging left everywhere
- Drill holes' dust on surfaces
- Tools forgotten, retrieved later
- General disarray
Why It Matters
That mess becomes:
- Their afternoon spent cleaning
- Their irritation every time they think of you
- A mediocre review instead of a great one
- No recommendation to friends
- No callback for future work
What Cleanup Looks Like
During the Job
Before drilling:
- Dust sheet under the work area
- Vacuum nearby if dust will spread
- Protect furniture with covers
During work:
- Contain mess as it's created
- Don't track dust through the house
- Keep tools organised
This takes: Maybe 5-10 minutes extra. Saves much more later.
After the Job
My process:
- Pack up all tools
- Vacuum any dust and debris
- Wipe down surfaces touched
- Remove all packaging
- Put furniture back in place
- Quick check for anything missed
This takes: 5-15 minutes depending on job size. Non-negotiable.
The Real Reasons I Do This
It's Part of the Job
The work isn't done until the space is as good as - or better than - when I arrived. Otherwise I haven't finished.
It Shows Respect
Your home isn't my workshop. You invited me in. Leaving it clean is basic courtesy.
It Affects Perception
Two identical jobs:
- One leaves mess: "Pretty good work"
- One leaves clean: "Excellent, will definitely use again"
Same work. Different ending. Different outcome.
It's Professional
Would a restaurant serve great food on a dirty plate? Would a hotel make the bed but leave towels on the floor?
The details are part of the service.
What I Bring
Standard Kit
- Multiple dust sheets (canvas, not flimsy)
- Hand vacuum (cordless, always charged)
- Dustpan and brush
- Surface wipes
- Bin bags
- Shoe covers (when needed)
The Dust Sheet Rule
I don't work without dust sheets down. Even for "quick" jobs. Especially for drilling.
People are surprised how much mess one drill hole can make on a carpet.
The Exceptions
Very Dirty Starting Points
If the loft already has debris, or the shed is dusty, I'll leave it as I found it - not worse, but I'm not doing a full clean.
Major Works
Full painting jobs or significant construction will have some cleanup but can't leave the space "perfect" - there's redecorating to finish, etc.
By Agreement
Very occasionally, someone says "don't worry about tidying, I'm doing other work today." I'll ask them to confirm, and I'll still not leave obvious mess.
Stories of the Opposite
The Plasterer
Customer had plastering done. Great finish. Plasterer left:
- Plaster splatters on floor
- Tools marks on doors
- Dust throughout house
- Not even bothered to move the furniture back
Customer spent 3 hours cleaning. Won't use him again.
The Electrician
Came to fit some sockets. Fine work. Left:
- Drill dust on carpet (white dust, dark carpet)
- Wall plug packaging
- Off-cuts of cable
- Dust sheet left but not shaken out
Customer had to vacuum and wipe down. Unnecessary.
The Pattern
Good work + mess = okay experience Good work + clean = great experience Average work + mess = bad experience
Why would you choose anything but great?
The Difference It Makes
In Reviews
My reviews often mention the cleanup:
- "Left everything spotless"
- "Couldn't tell he'd been there"
- "Tidier than before he arrived"
That's memorable. That gets mentioned to friends.
In Repeat Business
People who've had messy tradespeople before are genuinely surprised when I clean up. That surprise turns into loyalty.
In Referrals
"You have to use Sam - he even cleans up after himself"
Word of mouth is everything. The cleanup is part of what spreads.
It's Just Right
Beyond business logic, it's just the right thing to do.
I'm a guest in your home. Guests don't trash the place and leave.
I'm being paid for a service. That service includes the complete experience, not just the technical work.
And honestly? It takes 10 minutes. There's no good excuse not to.
Want work done properly - including the cleanup? I leave every job site as I found it or better. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.