Skip Hire 101: The complete guide.
Skips. You know, the big yellow things you chuck rubbish in. To be fair, you’ll probably only need a skip a couple of times in your lifetime unless you happen to be a tradesperson or someone who’s seriously into DIY. This can make hiring one feel like a daunting task when in reality it’s as easy as ordering your favourite pizza (well maybe not the loading part but definitely the ordering bit).
This guide will give you the lowdown on how to pick the right type of skip, what you can chuck in it, how to pick the right hire company, how to load it properly and some top tricks and tips to ensure your skip hire goes smoothly.
What skip is right for me?
This is the first thing you need to decide before you start looking for any skip hire companies, the main thing you need to figure out is what size skip do you need. This will depend on two things, how much junk you need to get rid of and how much space you have for the skip.
Most companies will be able to advise you on what size you need but to give you some idea here is a list of the three most popular skip sizes:
4 Yard Small- This size skip is ideal if space is an issue, such as a smaller driveway or road access. They hold approximately 45 bin bags. The dimensions are: 2.1m L x 1.5m W x 0.9m H.
6 Yard Builders- This is the most common skip size and as the name suggests it is commonly used by builders and other tradespeople who generate larger amounts of waste. Ideal for rubble and concrete. They hold approximately 65 bin bags. The dimensions are: 2.3m L x 1.5m W x 1.1m H.
8 Yard Midi- Perfect for small property clear outs and larger renovations. Mainly used on commercial and industrial projects. They hold approximately 80 bin bags. The dimensions are: 3.6m L x 1.8m W x 1.4m H.
It’s also worth noting that the largest skip you can put on the road (more on this later) is an 8 yard.
Common skip sizes- credit: https://www.reliableskip.com/skip-sizes/
Yards, tonnes, what’s the difference?
Some skip hire companies refer to sizes in tonnes, some in yards, but what’s the difference? In reality nothing, a cubic yard will contain one tonne give or take. If that still sounds a bit confusing imagine 16 bags of sand and you won’t be far off the mark.
Another option when ordering a larger skip is having a drop door, this basically means the front of the skip folds down to create a handy ramp which makes loading them sooo much easier.
Pro tip- think about which side you’d like your door to open (the side closest to the waste and with the most room) if you tell the skip hire company this before they deliver, they can put it the right way round on the lorry for you.
How much room does the skip lorry need?
So apart from the size of the skip the other thing you need to check is can the lorry get to where you want the skip to be dropped. Generally, the lorry will need 2.5-3m clearance but again please check with the hire company before booking your skip.
You can find more info about the different skips and sizes here.
What can I put in a skip?
General household junk, garden cuttings, rubble and other DIY leftovers are fine. Different companies have different rules on what they won’t take but most of them will not take the following or charge extra if you want to include them:
Electrical equipment (WEEE)
TVs & computer screens
Fridges/Freezers
Tyres
Batteries
Paint & paint tins
Gas cylinders
Asbestos
Medical waste
Hazardous & toxic materials
Fluorescent tubes
Solvents
Liquids
Oil, petrol, diesel
Plasterboard
Again, check with the company you’re hiring your skip from if you’re unsure.
How much is skip hire?
Prices vary across the UK, generally prices are cheaper in the North than the South. The average price for a 6 yard is £255, an 8 is £279 and a 10 yard is £334.
Can the skip go on the road outside my house?
Yes, you will however need a permit from the council which the skip hire company will organise for you. Permits can take a couple of days before they come and expire after a set number of days (usually around 7). The price will vary from council to council, check this page for more information on permit prices. If the skip is placed in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) then you will need a parking suspension which there may be an additional cost for. Again, please check with your local council.
If you are putting a skip on the road you will need to put lights and a cover on it and won’t be able to go on a pavement or other public byways such as footpaths etc. As previously mentioned, the biggest skip you can leave on the road is an 8 yard.
When can a skip be delivered?
If there are no permits to worry about then most companies can deliver in a couple of days. Some of the bigger firms are offering next day or even same day delivery, think Amazon prime but for trash!
How do I book skip hire?
Any skip hire firm worth dealing with will be accessible via phone, give them a call and they should be able to talk you through the whole process and help you with any questions you might have. Some of the bigger companies will have online booking systems or even apps. These can be a quick and convenient way to book but it can be a bit more difficult to ask any questions.
How high can I load a skip?
We get it, you’ve just spent a few hundred quid on a skip so you want to make sure you get the most in it. That’s fine but the waste can’t stick above the sides of the skip as it is dangerous to transport, in many cases the drivers will rightly refuse to take any skips that are overloaded as it is against the law. If they’re feeling extra spicy they may even unload some of your rubbish back onto your driveway!
It’s generally more cost effective to get a slightly larger skip than filling up a small one multiple times, so if you can try to do that. Also, if you have one of the bigger 10 or 12 yard skips you won’t be able to fill this completely with soil or rubble as it will be too heavy for the trucks to move.
A (very) overloaded skip (don’t be this guy)- credit: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/waste-collector-goes-pick-up-6191204
How long can I hire a skip for?
Typically between 1-14 days but most hire companies are flexible, some do charge extra for extended hires though so again always double check. If your skip is on the road the company will collect it before the permit expires.
Pro tip- It’s a good idea to have the skip for as short a time as possible to stop cheeky neighbours and passers by from slinging their junk in with yours.
Will skip hire companies load the skip for me?
Most don’t offer this service, but some will, if you’re struggling you may be able to find some labours from local Facebook community groups or you can try and get some friends round and make a day of it. It can actually be quite fun having a good clear out.
Alternatively, if you’re not physically able to load the skip, or you really can’t be bothered, you might be better looking at a rubbish clearance, man and van type service instead. If you go down this route it’s important to properly vet the company and ask to see their waste carriers licence. This helps ensure that they will dispose of the waste properly, following all the correct rules and regulations.
When will the skip be collected?
Similar to the drop off most companies need a couple of days’ notice but some can do next or even same day collections.
How do I choose the right skip hire company?
Choosing the right skip hire company is vital, unfortunately there are a lot of cowboys in waste management and if your waste is not disposed of correctly you can be fined too. Sadly there has been a recent rise in fly tipping, particularly in our hometown Stoke-on-Trent. You can play your part in reducing this by taking the time to choose a respectable skip hire company. Some things to look out for are:
Licenced and insured- by this we mean do they have a waste carriers’ licence and public liability insurance? If a company is reluctant to show you either of these then move on! You can check their WCL number here to see that it is still valid.
Website or social media- this isn’t essential but having a website and/or a social media presence shows that the company is more professional and accountable.
A number you can call- can you ring up and speak to an actual human? Are they friendly and helpful?
Reviews- look for online reviews on Google or Trustpilot, does the company respond to good and bad reviews? Are there any common themes with what people are saying such as turning up on time or being friendly?
Ask around- you are not the first person to ever hire a skip, ask friends, family or community Facebook groups if they can recommend anyone. Word of mouth is king when it comes to choosing the right company for any service.
Pro tip- if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is, beware of very low prices. Remember if your waste is linked to fly tipping you could be fined just as much as the fly tippers themselves!
Hopefully this guide has given you some confidence in organising skip hire, if you have any more questions about skip hire or waste management, you can contact us here, or, drop a comment below. Thank you for reading.
