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myGarden Waste Removal Cost
At a glance
- The average cost to remove garden waste is around £200
- The job will take approximately 1 - 2 hours to complete
- Price breakdown of garden waste disposal.
- How long garden waste removal takes and what jobs can be performed.
- How to find and hire a waste removal expert.
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Trying to find out how much it costs for garden waste removal?
If you're starting a big garden project or just tidying up, understanding the costs beforehand can help you budget and avoid surprises.
In this complete price guide we look at all garden waste clearance costs so that anyone can estimate how much garden rubbish removal will cost them overall before they hire a home maintenance, house clearance company or gardening company to carry out the work.
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Depending on your chosen method of clearing garden waste, it can cost you anywhere from £15 to £400, on average.
So, if you want to learn more - continue reading...
£200
Table of Contents
How Much Does Garden Clearance Cost?
The cost of garden clearance varies depending on the type and amount of waste, as well as the removal method.
If you decide to hire a company with a van to come and remove your garden rubbish, then it can cost between £15 - £300.
The low end of this range assumes you have a minimal amount of waste. The high end covers up to 2 tonnes of waste. This cost includes labour and disposal costs.
Another option is to hire a skip and ask a handyman or gardening company to use it for the waste. Skip hire costs £70-£400 depending on the size of skip you need. You can book the skip, schedule the labour and you can also get rid of other waste at the same time if you need to.
Sometimes, if you've got a small garden, you might only need to dispose of a little garden waste, but on a regular basis. In this instance, local councils offer a garden waste removal scheme, but you might need to purchase an annual permit to have a garden bin emptied. These permits can be free or cost around £150 - £200 per year. It all depends on your local council.
If I want to have about seven rubbish bags worth of waste removed, what size skip should I hire?
"I would personally hire a man and van a man and van usually charges 2.50-3.00 a bag on average a skip is anything from 120-300"
Garden Waste Removal Prices
There are a few factors that can affect the price of removing your garden waste. To help you determine your budget, here are a few prices to consider:
Skip Hire
If you decide to hire a skip to get rid of your garden waste, you will be charged based on the size of skip you need.
| Skip Size | Approximate Number of Bin Bags | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 yard | 20 | £70 - £100 |
| 3 yard | 30 | £75 - £110 |
| 4 yard | 40 | £100 - £260 |
| 6 yard | 60 | £120 - £275 |
| 8 yard | 80 | £ 160 - £370 |
| 10 yard | 100 | £180 - £400 |
| 12 yard | 120 | £220 - £440 |
| 14 yard | 140 | £230 - £450 |
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Removal Costs by Weight
When you are using a company to remove your waste, they will charge you by weight for the heavy materials like soil and bricks.
| Weight | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 kg | £14 - £16 |
| 500 kg | £70 - £80 |
| 1 tonne | £140 - £160 |
| 1.5 tonnes | £210 - £240 |
| 2 tonnes | £280 - £320 |
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Removal Costs by Volume
When you are using a removal company, they will charge you based on volume for most waste. This may be given in either cubic metres or how much of the van is filled.
| Amount of Van Space | Volume in m 3 | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| One sixteenth | 0.75 | £45 - £55 |
| One eighth | 1.5 | £70 - £80 |
| One quarter | 3 | £90 - £100 |
| Three-eighths | 4.5 | £120 - £130 |
| One half | 6 | £140 - £150 |
| Five-eighths | 7.5 | £165 - £175 |
| Three quarters | 9 | £200 - £210 |
| Seven eighths | 10.5 | £220 - £230 |
| Full | 12 | £240 - £250 |
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Labour Costs and Timescales
When hiring a garden waste removal company, labour costs are typically included in the total quote.
The price you pay accounts for the time, effort and manpower needed to remove your garden waste safely and effectively.
Gardens that are difficult to access, overgrown, cluttered or take longer to clear can increase labour costs.
The following table gives you an idea of time scale and cost for different volumes and weights of material.
| Volume of Waste | Weight of Waste | Duration | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 | 50 kg | 5 – 10 minutes | £45 - £55 |
| 1.5 | 100 kg | 15 – 20 minutes | £70 - £80 |
| 3 | 250 kg | 25 – 30 minutes | £90 - £100 |
| 4.5 | 300 kg | 35 – 40 minutes | £120 - £130 |
| 6 | 500 kg | 45 – 50 minutes | £140 - £150 |
| 7.5 | 600 kg | 55 – 60 minutes | £165 - £175 |
| 9 | 750 kg | 65 – 70 minutes | £200 - £210 |
| 10.5 | 800 kg | 75 – 80 minutes | £220 - £230 |
| 12 | 1 tonne | 85 – 90 minutes | £240 - £250 |
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Types of Garden Waste Removal
There are several options for garden waste disposal. Which is best will depend on your situation. Here is a way for you to make an easy comparison:
Skip Hire Cost
You can hire a skip to be delivered to your home. You can hire a contractor like a gardening company or a handyman who will fill the skip for you. You can then arrange for it to be collected.
You will need to hire the right sized skip for the amount of waste you have and will need to factor in the cost of the skip and the gardning company.
You can put anything into a skip. The average cost is £70 - £400 depending on the size of the skip.
Pros
- ✔ Choose the right size for your needs
- ✔ Take your time over the clearance
Cons
- ✖ There are charges if the skip is overfilled
- ✖ If it needs to go on the street, you are limited to 8 cubic yards in size
Collection Company (Van) Cost
You can hire a company to come and clear out your garden for you. They are not gardeners, so they will not cut down any hedges or mow the lawn. What they do is garden rubbish removal.
This means they will bag up and carry out any rubbish you have in your garden. This often includes play equipment, sheds, furniture and green waste. The average cost is £50 - £250 depending on the amount of waste.
Pros
- ✔ They do all the packing up and manual labour
- ✔ Can usually clear a garden inside 24 hours
Cons
- ✖ They don’t do any gardening
Council Garden Waste Removal Cost
Some councils offer a garden waste removal service. This is usually in the form a green wheelie bin that is picked up on a fortnightly basis.
Some councils offer this service for free, whilst others have a small charge. The average annual charge is £150 - £200.
Your local council is not required to provide a garden waste removal service. This means that whether or not they do it is a bit of potluck. Some councils offer a free green waste removal service.
In other places, you have to subscribe to it. In a few councils, there is currently no service at all. If you have to subscribe to the garden waste collection service, the average annual charge is £150 - £200.
Where there is a green waste removal service, you are usually provided with a green wheelie bin. Each council will have limits on what can and cannot be put into their green bins. These green wheelie bins are usually collected every two weeks. The service often does not run during the winter months.
Pros
- ✔ Ongoing service for regular waste
Cons
- ✖ Limited volume
- ✖ Limited service
Cost of Hiring a Landscaper
Most landscapers will be able to remove your garden waste for you. If you are getting more work done in your garden, then this can be a good option. They will often give you a good rate for garden waste disposal as part of the whole job.
The cost will depend on how much waste you have and how heavy it is. The average cost is between £150 - £250.
Pros
- ✔ They can tidy up your garden as well
Cons
- ✖ Often only one guy working so can take longer
- ✖ More expensive if you aren’t having any other work done
Cost Factors of Garden Waste Removal
The total cost of clearing garden waste depends on several factors. With these in mind, you can make a more informed decision of what type of garden waste removal service you need and what the likely costs will be.
Type of Garden Waste
Garden waste isn't just any rubbish in the garden. Most garden waste includes organic materials such as hedge trimmings, grass clippings, leaves and pruned branches.
Non organic items like furniture, sheds, soil or construction materials like rubble or paving can increase costs because they are heavier, bulkier and require specialist disposal.
Volume of Garden Waste
The amount of space your garden waste occupies influences pricing.
Larger volumes will require multiple trips or a bigger skip, increasing the overall cost.
You can reduce the volume of organic waste by shredding branches, compacting waste or bagging smaller items.
Weight of Garden Waste
Heavy garden material such as soil, concrete, gravel or stones are often charged by weight rather than volume.
Disposal fees for dense waste usually average around £150 per tonne.
Removal Method
Council garden waste collections are affordable but limited in volume and frequency. Costs range from £40 per year for a fortnightly bin collection.
Skip hire is flexible for larger jobs, with prices ranging from £70 to £400, depending on the size of the skip.
Professional collection services are quick and convenient with costs usually between £50 and £300. The costs will be quoted on the volume and type of garden waste.
Job Complexity and Labour
If your garden is cluttered or overgrown, the job may require more time, tools or additional labour which can increase costs. Some services will include labour in the cost, while others may charge separately.
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Benefits of Professional Garden Waste Removal
Hiring a professional garden waste removal service offers several key advantages over DIY disposal methods.
It also ensures your green and non-green waste is handled safely and responsibly.
Save Time and Effort
Professionals are equipped with the right tools, vehicles and manpower to clear your garden efficiently.
What could take you multiple weekends to bag, load and transport can often be done in a few hours by a skilled team.
Safe and Proper Disposal
Garden waste might include heavy or dense materials such as tree branches, gravel, soil or construction debris. Professionals know how to easily handle and transport these materials safely, reducing the risk of injury.
A professional garden waste removal team will ensure your waste is disposed of in accordance with local regulations, including recycling and composting where appropriate.
Environmentally Responsible
Professional garden clearance services are often separate and recycle garden waste, green waste and non-organic materials.
When you work with a company, you reduce the chance of incorrectly disposing of waste, helping to protect the environment and reduce landfill usage.
Lower Risk of Pests
Piles of garden waste make ideal homes for animals. If you don't clear the rubbish from your garden, it can become home to mice, rats and insects.
Hiring a Garden Waste Remover Checklist
When hiring a professional to remove your garden waste, checking a few details can save you time, money and stress.
- Verify reviews and reputation. Look for verified reviews on independent platforms. Check how the company responds to feedback, particularly complaints. If anyone has had a problem with them, you’ll be able to find out about it.
- How comprehensive is their quote? Ensure the quote specifies exactly what's included. Labour, disposal fees, transport and additional charges. Ask whether the price is based on volume, weight or time and confirm any potential extra costs.
- Confirm licensing and insurance. Make sure the company is licensed to dispose of waste legally.
- Do they have good communication skills? Do they respond promptly to enquiries? Assess clarity in explaining services, costs and processes. Good communication from the start prevents problems from arising further in the project.
FAQs
What can I put in my garden waste bin?
Usually, you can only put waste that is the result of gardening. This means grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings and weeds. You should check your local council's information to be certain, as it does vary depending on where you live.
What time can you burn garden waste?
There are no laws surrounding bonfires. You can have one any time of year and any time of day. It is considered good manners not to have bonfires that are burning any later than dusk except for on Bonfire Night.
There are laws against burning any waste that can cause pollution or harm people's health. You should limit your burning to plant-based garden waste only.
There are laws against burning any waste that can cause pollution or harm people's health. You should limit your burning to plant-based garden waste only.
Why do some councils charge for garden waste collection?
Garden waste collection is not a required service. This means that there is no funding from the government for it. So, some councils choose to charge for the service to cover the cost.
What happens to garden waste in green bins?
Garden waste is used to make compost. What happens to this compost is up to your local council. However, many of them will distribute it to local farms.
What happens to the waste put in skips?
The skip company will sort the waste. They will recycle what they can. Compost the garden waste and the rest will go to landfill.
