Skip Hire Cost

How Much to Hire a Skip?

The cost of skip hire will largely depend on the size of the skip and this in turn will be dependent on the amount of rubbish that you will put into it.

The range of skip sizes starts at mini skips, which are between 2-5 yards and mini skip hire cost is approximately £180-£320 depending on exact size and location within the UK. Small skip hire is normally only suitable for small projects due to the limited holding capacity although they are useful in areas where access is limited.

Skip Sizes

The 6yd skip is the smallest of the builder’s skips and can hold the equivalent of 30-40 black rubbish bags. Allowing for regional variations the average cost to hire a skip of this size is approximately x£250-£450.

The next size up is the 8yd skip which has the capacity to hold approximately 45-55 black bin bags worth of rubbish. The average price to hire one of these skips is between £260-£385.

A 10yd skip will cost on average £290-£540 to hire and will hold the same amount as more than 60 rubbish bags. One of the most popular skip sizes for building work such as a kitchen extension or loft conversion is the 12 yard skip.

So what kind of hire cost am I looking at, on average?

The average price to hire this size will be between £325-£490 and it will hold the equivalent of 100 plus rubbish bags. The cost of skip hire for bigger sizes such as 14 yard and 16 yard the prices will be in the region of £385-£560 and £430-£650, respectively although these sizes are not common for domestic rubbish disposal and are more likely to be used for commercial works.

Hire Duration

The normal duration for skip hire is 14 days. If you are hiring for a longer period the price per day will usually drop. Your location will also play a large part in the cost of the skip as prices in major cities are up to 50% higher than the average. Additional charges may apply due to council permit charges in order to place skips on a public road but if you have room on your property then you do not need to have a permit.

Labour Cost

The labourer costs to deliver the skip will be included in the price. Councils often have a list of waste contractors who are properly licensed to move waste, so this is a good starting place to find local contractors from which to hire a skip.

What is Allowed in a Skip?

Certain materials are not allowed to be deposited in skips such as fluorescent tubes, paint, batteries, etc… and if any of these items are found in the skip by the hire company you may be charged for their proper disposal.

Ensure that you are aware at the time of hire what you are and are not allowed to put in the skip.

Skip Hire Prices

Average cost to hire a skip in different locations within the UK:

Additional Costs

The need to hire a skip means that you are undertaking some large project within your home or business premises. This could be renovation or improvement works to your house, a large garden makeover or the refurbishment of a commercial property. Whatever the work may be it will involve costs additional to the skip hire.

Jobs That May Require a Skip

Projects such as laying new turf in your garden or installing a new patio will require the removal of a large amount of soil and debris hence the need for a skip. The cost of these improvements will depend on the size of your garden as well as the type of turf or patio you are laying. On average the cost will be around £700-£1800, respectively.

Home improvements which produce a large amount of rubbish such as replacing your kitchen or moving it to a different room in the house will incur substantial cost. Depending on the specification and size replacing your kitchen can cost around £8,000 while relocating your kitchen could set you back around £16,000.

If you want to increase the size of your home by converting your loft or basement then you will need a succession of skips. A loft conversion will require the existing materials in the loft to be removed including old insulation, etc.. and on average will cost around £25,000 to complete.

A basement conversion may require some major excavation work and you should expect to pay around £50,000 for this type of work and several skips to remove soil and rubble.

Of course, there are many domestic construction and improvement works that will require skip hire and the size and scope of the work will determine the type, size, and number of skips you will need.

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Materials
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Tradesmen
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Waste Removal
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Labour Costs and Time Frames

Skip hire cost will include the cost of the labour to both deliver and collect the skip from your premises or the road outside your property and there is no separate labour cost.

If it is possible to locate the skip on your driveway or garden then this will mean that you do not have to pay for a permit to put it on the public highway. This is a requirement of all councils but the price that they charge will depend on the individual local authority.

Most skip hire companies can arrange for next day delivery as long as they receive a request before midday. It is worth shopping around for a good rate although locally prices will not tend to vary significantly.

The skip hire price will depend on the size and type of skip that you request and the amount of time that you will need to hire it for. For example, a 12 yard skip in outer London will cost on average £350-£400 while a covered 12 yard skip in inner London will cost around £450. The usual hire period is 14 days.

Cost Affecting Factors of Hiring a Skip

Skip hire prices will be determined by the size of the skip and your location within the country. Some of the highest prices unsurprisingly will be found in inner and outer London but other large cities can be equally expensive.

Prices

With mini skips ranging from 2 to 5 yard these are useful for small domestic jobs such as a garage or loft clear out. They will take up to 30 or 40 bin bags worth of rubbish and are small enough to be placed off road on a front garden or driveway with ease. The price range for hiring a mini skip across the UK is between £150-£320.

These skips are amongst the easiest to position due to their reduced size so access should not pose a problem. However, if you have no front garden or private land at all the skip will have to go on the road regardless of its size.

Permits

A permit to have a skip on the public highway is required by law and if you fail to obtain one you can be fined up to £1000. The cost of a permit varies from council to council, but they range in price from approximately £10 in Liverpool to almost £70 in some parts of London. Skips are not allowed on pavements.

Sizes

One of the most popular skip sizes is the 8 yard. It has the advantage of not being too large to make positioning and access a problem but also can take a variety of rubbish making it very versatile. This is because even if the skip is loaded to its fill line with heavy refuse such as clay and concrete it will not be over its weight limit. The average cost of an 8 yard skip across the country is between £260-£385.

Types

Some people will prefer to have a lidded skip to prevent unauthorised dumping of rubbish or to protect valuable recyclable waste. The cost to hire a lidded or covered 12 yard skip will cost approximately £350-£450 depending on location.

All skips will have a load level marked on them to indicate the limit for the amount it will safely contain. This level should never be exceeded as it may make the skip impossible to lift back onto the skip lorry or exceed its recommended weight. If you do overfill the skip you may be charged extra.

Suspended Parking Bay

In larger cities it may be impossible to put a skip either on private land or find a suitable place on the highway. In these cases, it may be necessary to locate the skip in a residents parking bay or a pay and display parking space. This involves the parking space being temporarily suspended and of course you will need to pay for this privilege.

The cost will depend on the various local authorities and in London the price to suspend a parking bay is between £30-£165. Time periods are normally for one or two weeks so if you need to keep the skip in situ for longer you will have to add this cost to the overall skip hire cost. Some councils charge per day so make sure you know what your local authority is charging and for how long before you apply.

Safety

There are some safety issues that you should be aware of when you hire a skip. One of these is that the skip must have lights on it if placed on the public highway. This is the responsibility of the customer so do not assume that the skip hire company will take care of this for you.

If it is a requirement of your local authority then the council can fine you up to £1000 for not complying. Skip lights can be purchased at DIY stores or builders’ merchants and cost around £5-£8 each. Some councils will also require a cover to be placed on the skip overnight, so it is worth checking with them before your skip is delivered. A tarpaulin will cost on average between £10-£20.

Types of Skip

Here is a list of different types of skips you can hire:

Open Skip Costs

There are a few different types of skip available for hire. The most recognisable is the open skip which comes in several different sizes from 2 yard to 16 yards. Most people will be using what is called a mixed waste skip which is domestic and household waste as opposed to construction or commercial waste.

The average person will hire a skip to take rubbish from home improvement works and this will include things like timber, carpet, discarded items etc..

The average cost of an open skip depending on size and location is between £200-£550.

Pros of an open skip:

• ✔ Widely available.
• ✔ Option of several different sizes.
• ✔ Ease of access to deposit waste.

Cons of an open skip:

• ✖ Debris can be blown off the skip in the surrounding area.
• ✖ Unauthorised dumping difficult to control.
• ✖ Looks unsightly.

Lidded Skip Costs

Some skips also come with metal covers and are called ‘lidded’ skips. These cost a little bit more as they offer some security against unauthorised rubbish dumping and also prevent debris blowing off the top of the skip into the surrounding area.

The average cost of a lidded skip depending on size and location is approximately £300-£400.

Pros of a lidded skip:

• ✔ Prevents unauthorised access to dump rubbish.
• ✔ Stops items being blown out of the skip onto the street.
• ✔ Protects valuable waste such as copper piping or lead.

Cons of a lidded skip:

• ✖ Not widely available.
• ✖ Slightly more expensive than an open skip.
• ✖ Do not come in a wide range of sizes.

Wait and Load Skip Costs

There are also wait and load skips which are not left on site but delivered, loaded, and removed in a short period of time. This may be cheaper than paying for the suspension of a parking bay for example.

If you are intending to use a wait and load service then it is a good idea to have your rubbish ready to be put into the skip when it arrives as the wait time is normally only 30 minutes. The skip hire prices are normally the same as if the skip were left on site and most companies give a free half hour load time with any additional time beyond that chargeable.

The cost of a wait and load skip will normally be the same as a traditional skip i.e. £200-£550 depending on size and location and with a 30 minute free load time. Anything beyond this loading time is charged by the skip hire company as extra.

Pros of a wait and load skip:

• ✔ There is no requirement for a public highway permit.
• ✔ No unauthorised dumping is likely.
• ✔ No need for a space to keep skip on site.

Cons of a wait and load skip:

• ✖ Waste must be loaded in approximately 30 minutes.
• ✖ Labour intensive to get rubbish loaded within the allowed time.
• ✖ Need to reserve a space for the lorry to load up.

Roll-on, Roll-off Skip Costs

If you have the need to dispose of a large amount of inert or mixed waste then you may need a roll-on, roll-off skip. However due to their size and the space needed for the lorry to manoeuvre the skip into place these are only suitable for large accessible sites.

These skips are available as 20 yard to 40 yard sizes and are normally used in large scale construction or for commercial waste. However, if you are doing a complete house renovation then it may be more convenient than multiple average skips.

The roll-on, roll-off skip (or RoRo) gets its name from the fact that it is rolled off a flatbed lorry at delivery and rolled on at collection for removal from site. The cost to hire one of these skips will be between £300-£500 depending on size and location.

The average cost of a roll-on, roll-off skip depending on size and location is approximately £300-£500.

Pros of a roll-on, roll-off skip:

• ✔ Can hold a large amount of waste.
• ✔ One delivery and one collection as opposed to multiple skip changeovers.
• ✔ Suitable for large scale demolition.

Cons of a roll-on, roll-off skip:

• ✖ More suitable for industrial or commercial waste due to its size.
• ✖ Needs a large amount of space to position on site.
• ✖ Not as widely available as traditional skips.

Choosing the Right Size Skip

In the event that you are carrying out a demolition, garden makeover or anything that involves a lot of heavy rubbish such as concrete, clay or bricks then you need to order a skip that is 8 yard or under. This type of rubbish is called ‘inert’ waste as it does not decompose.

If you fill a 12 yard skip to its fill line with rubble or other inert waste then it will likely be overweight and may cause problems when it is due to be removed from site. Even a 12 or 14 yard skip should only carry a maximum of 8 tonne. This is because a skip lorry is 7.5 tonne and the maximum gross weight limit for these lorries is 18 tonnes.

Therefore, if a 12 yard skip were filled to capacity with rubble, clay, or other heavy rubbish it would take the gross weight of the vehicle as a whole over the allowable limit and therefore illegal on the road.

Alternatives to Hiring a Skip

Here are some alternatives to hiring a skip:

Man With a Van

If it is not possible or feasible for you to have a skip to dispose of unwanted items or waste then you could hire a man and a van. You should ensure before you hire someone to take away your rubbish that they are aware of what type of waste you are disposing of.

The cost of hiring a man with a van will depend on their pricing structure. Some will charge by the hour, some may have fixed fees and others charge by number of items removed. You should agree in advance how you are going to be charged so there are no hidden fees or surprise costs.

As an average expect to pay between £100 for a small amount of rubbish up to £400 for large heavy waste such as furniture and garden waste.

Pros of hiring a man with a van:

• ✔ It frees your time as they will load and dispose of the rubbish for you.
• ✔ No need for a bulky, unsightly skip outside your home.
• ✔ Rubbish is removed immediately and not left exposed in a skip.

Cons of hiring a man with a van:

• ✖ You will have to assemble the rubbish yourself for removal.
• ✖ Construction waste cannot normally be removed in this way.
• ✖ There is a limit to the amount that will fit in a vehicle.

Skip Bags

Skip bags are another alternative to having a large metal skip on your drive or outside your house. They are available in various sizes from 1 yard to 4 yard capacity and be purchased either online or through DIY stores and builders’ merchants.

The cost of using a skip bag will be the price of purchasing the bag itself and then hiring a contractor to take it away. Skip bags can be bought for between £6-£30 depending on the size and cubic capacity.

Some bags are made from tougher material designed to take heavy duty rubbish and capable of being lifted by a crane without splitting. Others are only designed for light weight use.

Pros of using a skip bag:

• ✔ Can be purchased easily and in different sizes.
• ✔ Will not damage your driveway.
• ✔ Tougher versions can be used for rubble, bricks, or broken tiles.

Cons of using a skip bag:

• ✖ Only suitable for small DIY projects or garden maintenance.
• ✖ Unlike hiring a man and van you have to load the waste yourself.
• ✖ You will still need a permit if it goes on the public highway.

Local Recycling Centre

Most domestic rubbish or waste can be taken to your local recycling centre but will depend on you having the means of transport to take it there.

The cost of taking your waste to a recycling centre will only involve the price of the fuel to get you there as well as your own time and effort of course.

Pros of taking your waste to a recycling centre:

• ✔ You know that your waste is being disposed of correctly.
• ✔ Will only cost the price of fuel to get there.
• ✔ You can dispose of items that cannot be put in a skip e.g. oil, electrical items, etc.

Cons of taking your waste to a recycling centre:

• ✖ Recycling centres will only take domestic rubbish not builders waste.
• ✖ Takes time to load and unload at either end.
• ✖ All rubbish needs to go into specific containers.

Skip Regulations

There are several regulations and guidelines that apply to the hiring of skips including what can and cannot be put in them, where they can be positioned and who can hire them out.

Prohibited Items

For someone who is hiring a skip to dispose of waste and rubbish it is very important to know what the prohibited items are that should not be put into the skip. The most well-known is of course asbestos which should never be removed by anyone other than a licenced specialist due to its hazardous nature.

Other restricted items include chemicals, electrical appliances, cans of paint, medical waste, batteries, gas canisters, tyres, and fluorescent tubes. This list in not exhaustive and you should check with the skip hire company prior to delivery of the skip what can and cannot be placed in it.

Skip Licence/Permit

If you are fortunate enough to have the space on your property to site a skip then you will not need to apply for a permit. However, the majority of people will need to put the skip on the road or do not want the possibility of damage to their driveway or garden.

In these instances, it will be necessary to have a permit to keep the skip on the public highway and this also applies to skip bags which are placed on the road. Prices for skip permits or licences are set by the local council and vary from region to region.

Similarly, if the skip is placed in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) such as a residents parking bay or pay and display space then you will need to apply for a parking bay suspension. The cost of this will depend on the individual local authorities.

Safety Requirements

The skip hire company has certain obligations that they need to abide by such as having their name and telephone number on the skip. It should also be painted a bright colour to make it more visible to traffic as well as having reflective markings.

Some councils require traffic cones around the skip and most require safety lights to be hung on the skip especially during hours of darkness. The responsibility for the safety lights lies with the person who has hired the skip and if they fail to comply a fine of up to £1000 can be imposed.

To ensure that you are complying with all the guidelines and regulations when you hire a skip it is worth checking your local council’s website prior to delivery.

Skip Hire Company Obligations

A company which hires out skips must have a skip operators’ licence, a waste carriers licence certificate, a goods vehicle operators’ licence, a copy of a waste transfer note and public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £5,000,000. Depending on the requirements of their local authority they may also be required to be registered under the skip hirer registration scheme.

Removing a Skip

Once your skip has been filled to its capacity or you have deposited all your rubbish into it then you should call the skip hire company to arrange for collection. This service is included in the hire cost as long as you have adhered to the terms and conditions of the hire agreement.

It will normally take a couple of days for the skip company to collect the loaded skip so if your permit is due to run out make sure that you give the skip company plenty of notice to avoid fines by the council.

Access

You should ensure before the lorry arrives to collect the skip that the access is clear and that there is enough room for the lorry to pick the skip up safely without damage to property. It may be worth notifying your neighbours in advance to give them the opportunity to move any vehicles out of harm’s way.

Restricted Items

It is good practice to check the skip prior to collection to ensure that no prohibited items have been placed into it. Even if you know that you have not placed any restricted items into the skip it is possible that someone else may have without your knowledge. This is most likely to happen when the skip is kept on the road overnight.

However, as the person responsible for the skip while it is under hire any prohibited items in the skip will be your responsibility and if found by the hire company you may be charged for proper disposal.

Overloading

The other issue to check prior to your skip being removed is that it has not been overloaded. For mixed waste ensuring that nothing goes above the fill line should guarantee that you have not exceeded the allowed weight limit for the skip.

If you are filling a skip with inert waste such as rubble or soil you should be careful not to exceed the fill level as this could push the overall weight of the loaded skip beyond its capacity.

This could present a problem for the lorry which will be collecting the skip. An overloaded skip can damage the lorry, its lifting mechanism or worse, injure the operative. It is also likely that the skip company will refuse to pick up an overloaded skip and require you to remove any excess waste before attempting collection again or they may charge extra.

FAQs

How long can you hire a skip for?

Most skip hire is for 14 days but it may vary between skip hire companies or in different parts of the country. If you need the skip for longer than the original hire period then you can extend it by contacting the skip company.

However, be aware that if the skip is on the road you will also need to extend the skip licence/permit.

What can you put in a skip?

Household rubbish, garden waste or builder’s debris can all be put into a skip. However, you should inform the skip company at the time of hire what you will be using it for so that they send the right size. This is particularly important if you are disposing mainly of inert waste such as rubble, soil, broken tiles etc as for this type of waste you should use a skip no bigger than 8 yards.

This is to ensure that the skip does not become overloaded and create problems at collection. All skip hire companies will be able to tell you what items are prohibited from being deposited in a skip so make sure you are aware prior to hiring.

What size skip do I need?

Most skip hire websites will give a size in yards, but many people are unsure how much capacity this involves.

To help with calculating the correct size for your needs a lot of companies will give an equivalent in number of rubbish bags e.g. a 12 yard skip will take the same amount of waste that will fit in approximately 100-120 bin bags.

How big is a 4 yard skip?

A 4 yard skip is classed as a mini skip and is approximately 0.9 metres high, 1.8 metres long by 1.2 metres wide. It has a capacity of around 25-35 rubbish bags.

What is a skip licence?

Any skip that goes on the road must have a permit issued by the governing local authority. This licence takes a couple of days to process so if you have to do this yourself as opposed to the skip hire company doing it then allow a couple of working days for the paperwork to be complete. Having a skip on the public highway without the proper licence could cost you around £1000 in fines.

How do I protect my drive from damage from a skip?

Many people worry about the damage that a large, heavy, metal container could potentially cause to their driveway. One way to mitigate any damage or marking on the surface of the drive is to put scaffold boards down for the skip to rest on. Another issue can occur when the skip lorry picks up the loaded, and now heavier, skip.

To stabilise the vehicle the operator will deploy metal legs which can sink into soft tarmac or crack paving. It is worth being present when the skip is collected and discussing how to prevent damage to your drive with the operator.

I have nowhere to put a skip, what are my options?

There are a few alternatives to having a skip if you need to dispose of a significant amount of waste. Skip bags are a cheaper and more mobile option especially if space is an issue.

You could also hire a man with a van who will take away the rubbish the same day. Or you could take the rubbish to your local recycling centre although if you have a lot then it may entail several trips.

How to Find & Hire a Skip Company

If you are carrying out home improvement works or doing a major refurbishment on your house or garden it is likely that you will be generating a significant amount of waste. Depending on how much rubbish you need to get rid of you may decide the sensible option is to hire a skip. However, you may not know how to go about doing that.

Personal Recommendation

Personal recommendation is a good way to find a reputable and reliable skip hire company, even better if you know a few people who have used a skip hire service so that you can compare prices and service.

Websites

Looking online for skip hire companies who operate locally is a common approach. This will allow you to see what sizes they have available and often there are useful tips on what size is suitable for different types of waste. You can also read reviews of previous customers and some companies will have ratings for comparison.

Average Costs

From mini skip hire to a 16 yard skip there are sizes for every kind of project. The size you need will depend on the amount of rubbish you will be generating, the space you have available on site and also the type of waste you will be putting in the skip. Costs vary from £150-£550 between the smallest and largest skips that you would likely use for a domestic project.

Choosing a Skip Hire Company

When you are hiring a skip there are a few things that you need to be aware of besides the skip hire pricelist. The first is that the hire company needs to be correctly licenced. For this they should have a skip operators’ licence, a waste carriers licence certificate, a goods vehicle operators’ licence, a copy of a waste transfer note and public liability insurance with a minimum cover of £5,000,000.

Depending on the local authority they may also be required to register on the skip hirer registration scheme. This is a good way of checking the qualifications and certifications of a local skip hire company.

Sources

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211948/simplified-guide-to-lorry-types-and-weights.pdf