Hiring a skip can seem a little confusing when you haven’t done it before, there are lots of things to consider like size, price and permits. If you’re planning on using a local skip hire company to get rid of your waste, they can be a great help but you may not always be sure what you are looking for.
Whether you need collection of residential, commercial, construction or industrial waste, we’ve put together a guide to help you when it comes to hiring a skip.
How to find a skip hire company
If you’ve established you require a skip, you’ll need to find a good skip hire company. Searching for ‘Skip hire companies near me’ will bring up results for your local area and you’ll be able to sort through the options to find a company that’s right for you. You can look at their reviews and ratings to see what other people’s experiences were like so that you know if they’re a reputable company.
See what services they provide, some companies will offer more than just skip hire which can be beneficial if you’re undertaking a big job. Check what skip sizes they offer and how much they charge. Most companies will be able to offer you a quote to help you make your decision.
Finally, check that the company is compliant and licensed with local authorities.
When should I use a skip for waste removal?
If you’ve got a big job, meaning you’ve acquired a lot of waste that’s difficult to shift, a skip might be a helpful option. Sometimes, the ordinary household bin won’t cut it and constant trips to the recycling centre can be exhausting. Skip hire is ideal for when you’re renovating your house, replacing a bathroom or redesigning your garden because it holds the waste nicely and keeps your driveway much cleaner.
The drawbacks of skip hire are that you need to load the skip yourself and it can be tricky to select the right size, plus there are certain things you can’t put into a skip. In this case, you could choose man and van hire, it just depends on what the job is.
What size skip do I need?
It’s difficult to determine what size skip you’ll need, especially if you’re not sure how much waste you’ve got. Most skip hire companies will be able to assist with selecting the right size so you don’t need to worry too much. You don’t want to get a skip that’s too big and end up paying for empty space and too small might mean you have to order another skip.
Skip sizes are measured in terms of cubic yards. As a rough guide, a 4 yard skip will hold 18-20 bags and a 12 yard skip will hold 60-80. You can also get a 6 yard skip and an 8 yard skip if you need something in the middle.
What can I put in the skip?
Throwing your waste straight into a skip is so easy that you may not think about what you’re actually allowed to put in there. General waste and recycled waste are fine if you have the right type of skip, but some items are hazardous and therefore cannot be mixed with general waste.
The following items should not be put into a skip:
- Plasterboard when mixed with general waste
- Asbestos
- Fridge/Freezers
- Batteries
- Tyres
- Pressurised containers
- Oil based paint/Varnish tins
- Gas cylinders
- Fluorescent Tubes
- Liquids of any description
- Large tree trunks
- Japanese Knotweed
What types of skips are available?
Skip hire companies typically hire out either mixed waste or inert waste skips. Mixed waste skips are most commonly used for domestic waste because you can put lots of different types of waste in them. Inert waste is neither chemical nor biologically reactive and doesn’t decompose, it includes things like rubble, soil, sand and cement. Inert waste skips are more for construction or demolition work and tend to be cheaper, but a mixed waste skip allows you to put everything into it including appliances, furniture, mattresses and carpet.
How much will skip hire cost?
There’s no set price for skip hire, it depends on a variety of factors, but you can get a quote from the skip hire company and compare prices. Costs will vary based on size and location but on average skips cost £200-£300. You may be able to find a more affordable option for skip hire from a company that is close to your location, they may be able to offer lower prices if the drop-off location is close by.
What is a skip permit?
If you don’t have a driveway or garden for the skip, then you’ll need a skip permit if it is going to be placed on public land. If the skip is going on your driveway, you don’t need one. You can get a skip permit from the local council but the hire company is usually responsible for sourcing this, it just means you might have to pay a slightly higher price to account for the permit.
How long can I hire a skip for?
When you hire a skip from a company you can discuss with them how long you think you’ll need it for. Most companies will do an initial hire for 10-14 days and you can pay a small fee if you want to keep the skip for a bit longer. It’s best to give the company a few day’s heads up before you want the skip collected so they can plan to arrange this.
How much can I put in the skip?
There are weight restrictions on skips but it’s rarely an issue for domestic hire unless you are planning on filling the skip with lots of heavy waste like bricks, soil and rubble. If you’re hiring a 4 yard skip, the typical maximum weight will be 2 tonnes and 8 tonnes for a 12 yard skip.
If the skip specifies ‘Level Loads Only’ then you mustn’t fill it above the height of its sides. This might also be written in the terms and conditions as it’s important that you don’t load it to a dangerous level. You may be refused collection of the skip or you may be asked to remove some of the waste. It is dangerous to overload skips as waste could fall out during transport and potentially cause an injury or damage to property.
Should I protect my driveway?
If your driveway is made with soft tarmac or block paving, you may want to take precautions so that the skip will not damage your driveway. You can use scaffolding planks or large pieces of wood so that it isn’t placed directly onto your driveway. Your skip will also be even heavier when it’s full and the skip hire company will need to collect it by using stabilisers which are metal legs that exert significant pressure onto the ground. Talk to your skip hire company if you are concerned about damage, they will be able to advise you.
Where does the waste go?
Once your skip has been collected by the skip hire company, they will take your waste to a nearby waste transfer station. Here, they will sort through the waste to either be recycled, incinerated, sent to a waste to energy facility or to landfill.
What access requirements do I need?
When a skip is delivered it requires wide access for the HGV lorry. These lorries are much wider than a car so you will have to be sure that the site is accessible and there is enough space for the lorry to get through. If you can, measure the space and speak to your skip hire company to see if that will be enough space for the lorry.
If you don’t have great access or space for a skip, companies will often have a wait and load service which involves loading your waste onto a skip and the lorry will wait until you have filled it. This is a much faster service and you just need to have your waste ready in skip bags before the skip arrives so works best for when you have finished a project and have waste to dispose of.
Wasteology offers reliable skip hire services in Somerset and Devon
Are you looking for skip hire to help you clear domestic or commercial waste? Wasteology is a fully licensed skip hire company offering professional and efficient waste removal solutions to suit you. If you want to learn more about how we can help with your waste removal, contact us today.
