Complete guide to hiring a skip

If you have too much rubbish to fit in your bin, or you simply don’t want to take up all the room with household waste, you might want to consider hiring a skip.

Building work, refurbishment, clearances or even garden work could all benefit from using a skip to remove the waste.

But if you’ve never hired a skip before, you might have some questions about how it all works; our complete guide to skip hire explains just how simple the process is.

What size skip should I hire?

If there’s any doubt at all about the size of skip you should hire, it’s better to go bigger than smaller.

All skips are measures in cubic yards; as a very rough guide, one metric ton takes up a cubic yard. To give you an idea, around 344 house bricks weigh one metric ton. If you’re planning on filling your skip with rubble or soil, an 8 yard skip is usually the maximum available for hire because of the weight restrictions.

Here’s a guide to the various size skips and their common uses:

• 4 cubic yards – this midi skip is perfect for small home refurbishments such as bathrooms or kitchens, where bulky components such as doors, cupboards and cabinets may need to be disposed of. A 4 yard skip is also ideal for garden clearances.
• 6 cubic yards – a slightly larger skip which is ideal for jobs around the home where there will be more waste such as roof tiles, bricks, wood and soil. Waste which is heavier and small building jobs will typically use this size skip.
• 8 cubic yards – often used for the same types of purposes as a 6 yard skip, the 8 yard version just provides a bit more space. This is the largest skip you can use for weight-intensive waste.
• 10-12 cubic yards – these larger skips have a lower weight restriction than the 8 yard skip, but provide the advantage of having more room. This allows multiple large items to be held, which is particularly useful for house and office clearances. Don’t forget to check the restrictions on what you are allowed to throw away.

An alternative to hiring a metal skip is to use other waste management services, such as a skip bag which can be used for smaller amounts or lighter waste.

What can’t be put in a skip?

Although the majority of household waste can be placed into a skip, there are some exceptions.

Any items which could be deemed to be hazardous or are excluded for environmental purposes cannot be thrown into a skip.

We can advise you more specifically on what items can’t be included, but as a general guide, the following would normally be prohibited:

• oil, petrol or diesel
• solvents
• liquids
• medical or clinical waste
• fluorescent tubes
• gas bottles
• asbestos
• toxic materials
• tyres
• batteries
• computer monitors and TVs
• freezers and fridges
• paint cans
• electrical equipment

Can I place the skip on the road?

In most cases it’s possible to have the skip on the road if you don’t have room on your premises but you will need to get a permit from the council in advance. Normally the largest skip which will be approved for use on a public highway is 8 yards.

Any skips which will be remaining on a public highway overnight must be covered and also have a light affixed. Skips which are placed on private property don’t have the same requirements.

If you want to place the skip on the road, we can arrange the permit on your behalf; just let us know when you make the booking. Contact us today to book your skip.