Skip Hire Cost

How Much Is a Skip To Hire?

How much does it cost to hire a skip in the UK?

Hiring a mini skip for a week costs between £60 to £130, whereas the cost to hire a large 12-yard skip for the same amount of time costs considerably more, averaging between £220 and £440.

However, a basic mini skip is the most popular choice for home renovation jobs, with the average cost amounting to around £220, as they are often required for more than just a week.

There are a number of factors that may affect the cost of your skip hire, with the size of skip impacting the end cost the most. Although the duration of hire, and whether you require a permit, are also things to consider, along with location of your property.

The skip hire company has to take your waste away and dispose of it with a combination of recycling, landfill, and incineration. The more waste there is to dispose of, the bigger the job, and so this is why hiring a larger skip can cost quite a bit more than hiring a smaller skip.

That said, hiring a skip is a great way to get rid of all of your unwanted waste. Skips are often one of the most affordable ways to remove your rubbish.

Skip Hire Prices by Size

Below is a skip hire price list highlighting the skip prices for different types of skips. As you can see, the skip hire cost varies depending on the size and type of skip that you are looking to hire.

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Types of Skip for Hire

There are a number of different types of skip, and each type is suited to different amounts of waste. Below is a guide to the different types of skips and how many bin bags worth of waste each of these types of skip can hold.

Cost to Hire a Mini Skip

A mini skip is perfect for disposing of domestic waste for small to medium household projects. This type of skip comes in a few different sizes and typically will hold 30 to 40 bin bags worth of waste, depending on the size that you choose to hire.

A mini skip will perfectly fit on a typical driveway, which makes it perfect for when you need to get rid of a larger-than-usual amount of waste at home.

Mini skips come in the following sizes:

• 2-3-yard – holds approximately 30+ bin bags of waste - £60 to £130.
• 4-5-yard – holds approximately 40+ bin bags of waste - £100 to £250.

Cost to Hire a Small Skip

Small skips are suitable for domestic use and medium to large household projects.

Small skips come in the following sizes:

• 6-yard – holds approximately 60+ bin bags of waste - £120 to £300.
• 8-yard – holds approximately 80+ bin bags of waste - £160 to £370.
• 10-yard – holds approximately 100+ bin bags of waste - £180 to £400.
• 12-yard - holds approximately 120+ bin bags of waste - £220 to £440.

Cost to Hire a Medium/Large Skip

Medium and large skips are suitable for small to medium commercial projects.

Medium and large skips come in the following sizes:

• 14-yard – holds approximately 145+ bin bags of waste - £230 to £460.
• 16-yard – holds approximately 170+ bin bags of waste - £240 to £500.
• 18-yard - holds approximately 195+ bin bags of waste - £280 to £550.

Cost to Hire a Large Roll-On Roll-Off Skip

Roll-on roll-off skips are suitable for large commercial projects.

Roll-on roll-off skips come in the following sizes:

• 20-yard – holds approximately 220+ bin bags of waste - £300 to £600.
• 30-yard – holds approximately 330+ bin bags of waste - £320 to £650.
• 40-yard – holds approximately 440+ bin bags of waste - £400 to £800.

Cost to Hire a Lockable Skip

Lockable skips come in a range of different sizes, from 8 to 16 yards, and these can hold between 80 to 170+ bin bags worth of waste.

Lockable skips are the perfect option for when you need to protect the waste that you are disposing of, or if you want to ensure that nothing unwanted is added to your skip.

Depending on the size of lockable skip you choose, you should expect to pay an average of around £200 to £600 for this type of skip.

What Impacts Skip Hire Costs in the UK?

There are a number of factors that can affect the cost of hiring a skip. Below are the main things that can affect the cost of skip hire in the UK.

Size of the Skip

All skips vary in size. You can expect to pay a lot more for a larger skip than you would for a smaller one. For example, a 2 to 3-yard mini skip costs on between £60 to £130, whereas an 18-yard skip costs on average between £280 to £550 (average skip hire prices by size) — that’s a hefty Yard skip.

The price of a larger skip tends to be a lot more due to its ability to hold a lot more waste, and so these skips will require a lot more work from the skip hire company during the sorting and waste disposal phase of the job.

Duration of Skip Hire

Aside from the size of the skip, the duration of the hire is another major factor that will impact the overall cost to hire a skip. The longer you hire the skip for, the more you can expect to pay for the total hire — and if you need the skip longer, that feeds directly into skip hire prices (and often the waste disposal charge).

A lot of companies start you off with a standard hire period, then charge extra if you need to keep the skip longer. If you finish early, you can ring up and ask for collection sooner (handy if the skip is sat right where you park).

So, if you are looking to spend less, you will need to hire your skip for a shorter duration. Despite this, you need to make sure the hire time is enough time for you to completely dispose of all the waste that you need to.

Your Location in the UK

Another factor that can affect the cost of your skip hire is your location within the UK. If you are located in a London Borough, the average price can be around £50 to £350 higher than it would be in the north of the UK.

A further major factor in the cost of your skip hire is what you plan to throw in. Most general waste is fine, but some materials need separate disposal (and can cost extra) — especially hazardous waste.

If you’re unsure, check the “What You Can and Can’t Put in a Skip” section below before you start filling it. It’ll save you getting stung with unexpected charges. And if it’s only a couple of awkward items, a quick run to your local recycling centre can sometimes be the simplest option.

Your Waste Materials

A further major factor in the cost of your skip hire is the type of waste that you’re trying to remove. Although the majority of waste materials are allowed, there are a few restricted waste materials that you should be aware of.

If these items are found in your skip by the skip hire company, you may be subject to some extra costs at the skip hire company’s discretion.

Every company has different rules about what is and isn’t allowed to be placed in their skips, so make sure you’re aware of them before you go ahead with the skip hire.

As a general rule, most skip hire companies won’t allow the following items:

• Paints, oils, and liquids
• Aerosols
• Tyres
• Gas canisters
• Hazardous waste
• Electrical appliances
• Asbestos
• Raw meat products

Permit Requirements

Sometimes, you may need a permit to hire a skip – especially when you are planning on placing a skip in a public area. If you want to lay a skip entirely on private land, you usually don’t need any type of permit.

Some councils, however, will require you to get a permit to place a skip on a public road. In most areas, the skip hire company will arrange the permit for you, but some areas require you to sort it out yourself. For more information on skip hire permits, you will need to contact your local council to see what your specific permit requirements are.

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Do I Need a Council Permit for a Skip?

Before you can place a skip on the public highway, you will first need to obtain a permit from your local council.

Skip permit prices vary depending on your location, but they are usually around £10 to £70 (these permit fees can be higher in busier areas).

If you put a skip on private land, such as your own driveway, you usually do not need any kind of permit.

In many cases, the skip hire company can arrange the permit for you, but always confirm this at the point of booking so you’re not hit with additional costs later (and if you’re in a London Borough, it’s worth double-checking what’s included).

A skip permit exists to control the number of skips that are placed on any given road, as they take up a lot of space and can cause disruptions to parking and traffic flow — especially in a London Borough where streets can be tighter.

If you place a skip on the road without the right permission, you can be fined and the skip may be removed. So, it’s not worth guessing.

If you are unsure about permits, your local skip hire company will most likely arrange it on your behalf, although it is always worth double-checking so you're not subjected to any unwanted fines (and to confirm whether the permit runs for one to two weeks and what the permit fees will be).

A skip permit typically lasts for one to two weeks, depending on the council that has issued it. Most councils allow for this period to be extended if needed (just bear in mind extra permit fees may apply).

What Can I Use a Skip for?

Skip hire is an affordable and sensible solution to removing large amounts of waste. It is perfect for home renovations and house extensions, as all of the waste from the renovation can be disposed of easily together in the skip, and the skip hire company will take the rubbish away for waste disposal.

This is a hassle-free solution to removing all of that extra waste that you have (from old packaging to garden waste). But every company has its own rules on restricted items, so it’s always worth checking before you start — particularly if you’re dealing with a specific waste type.

Usually allowed (general guidance): (exact rules can vary by waste type)

• Domestic waste
• Garden waste
• Sofas
• Food packaging
• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Bricks
• Rubble
• Soil
• Polystyrene
• Carpets
• Non-electrical fixtures and fittings
• Plastic
• Metal
• Wood
• Solidified paint
• Cardboard
• Empty tins
• Tiles
• Ceramic

If the waste you are planning to dispose of is not on the list above, you should contact your local skip hire company to explicitly confirm.

Usually not allowed (or charged separately): (often because it’s a restricted waste type)

• Paints, oils, solvents, and other liquids
• Gas canisters, aerosols, and fuel
• Tyres and batteries
• Electrical items and appliances
• Asbestos or hazardous waste (hazardous waste)
• Plasterboard (often needs a separate skip)

If restricted items are found in your skip (even if it’s “only” one waste type), one of the following usually happens:

• The company may ask you to remove the items before collection.
• You may be charged extra for specialist disposal.
• In some cases, they may refuse collection until it’s sorted.

Where Can I Put a Skip?

If you have space on your own private land to place your skip, this is your best option as you won’t need to worry about getting a permit.

If the skip needs to go on the public highway (or anywhere that isn’t your private land), you’ll usually need a permit and you’ll need to avoid blocking access, parking, or pedestrian routes. Leave enough clearance for a skip lorry to drop it off and pick it up safely. Your hire company should advise on the safest spot and whether any cones/lights are required.

Skips come in a number of sizes, but the most popular skips that are used for domestic purposes tend to be roughly the size of a car. With this in mind, your driveway would be the perfect place to put a skip.

The best places for a skip are level, hard ground. Concrete would be the ideal surface. This is because, as the skip becomes more and more full, it is going to become heavier and heavier, and so it needs to be placed on land that can withstand the weight of the skip and all of its contents.

What's Involved in Hiring a Skip?

For anyone who hasn’t hired a skip before, it can seem like quite a daunting task. The list below explains the process of hiring a skip and all the steps that you can expect to be involved in a skip hire.

Before the Job Starts

• Contact Local Companies and Get Quotes — Begin by getting in touch with local skip hire companies to get some quotes. They will give you advice and help you to find the right skip for your project. Once you have your quotes and choose a suitable company, you then need to organise your hire dates.
• Find the Right Size — Once you’ve chosen a hire company and dates, contact them to make your booking. They will confirm the skip size you’re hiring, and can offer advice to make sure it’s the best option. For the average domestic project, 2-8 yard skips are popular and usually ideal (and an 8 yard skip is a common “all-rounder” for renovations).
• Check if You Need a Permit — Most of the time, the skip hire company will deal with whether or not you need a permit. If you’re unsure, ask them. Most companies will also provide safety lights, signs, and cones as required by council rules.

During the Job

• Skip Delivery and Placement — When your skip is delivered, have it placed on a level, reinforced ground that can take the weight of the skip and its contents once it's filled. Make sure there’s a clear run-in for the skip lorry (tight turns and parked cars can be a nightmare).
• Filling the Skip — Once it’s in place, start filling it (keeping everything level, and staying within any weight limit). If you’re unsure what’s allowed, check the “what you can and can’t put in a skip” section above.

After the Job

• Collection — If you've already arranged a collection date, the hire company will come and collect your filled skip and take it away (that’s when the waste collected goes off for processing). For open-ended skip hire, call the company and arrange for your skip to be collected, which they should do as soon as possible.
• Disposal — Once collected, the skip hire company will sort through your rubbish, separating it into recycling and landfill, and then handle waste disposal appropriately (the waste collected is sorted by waste type, and anything classed as hazardous waste is handled separately).

Alternatives to Skip Hire

There are a few alternatives to hiring a skip. Below are two of the most popular skip hire alternatives that can replace a skip.

Skip Bags Cost

Skip bags usually cost on average around £50 to £200, depending on the size. The average cost for skip bag collection usually falls between £80 to £150, depending on the amount of waste that you have and your location in the UK.

Skip bags are a perfect waste removal solution for when you have smaller amounts of waste to remove. Skip bags come in a number of sizes ranging from 1 yard to 4.5 yards. Similar to how a skip works, you fill a skip bag as the waste is being created. Skip bags can be purchased from most DIY shops or online, and once full, they are collected with a grab truck.

Rubbish Removal Team Cost

On average, rubbish removal teams will usually charge somewhere between £100 to £500 for a collection service, depending on your location and the amount of waste that you are looking to remove.

Rubbish removal teams can remove large amounts of waste as needed. You will usually be provided with a time slot when the rubbish removal team will attend your property and they will dispose of any items that you want to be collected, including waste disposal for awkward bits that can’t go in a standard skip. A bonus of choosing a rubbish removal team is that they will often collect items that are prohibited in a skip, such as appliances.

Checklist: How To Find a Local Skip Hire Company in the UK

Consider these key points before booking a skip hire company (especially if you’re comparing skip hire prices):

• Is the quote clear about what’s included? You want to know the size skip, hire length, delivery or collection, disposal, not to mention any weight limits (so you don’t get stung with extras and your final cost stays predictable).
• How long can you keep the skip for? Some companies include a set hire period, others charge per day after a certain point.
• Can they deliver and collect when you actually need them? Ask about lead times and whether they offer weekend delivery or collection if your job’s happening out of hours.
• Do you need a permit, and will they sort it? If the skip’s going on the public highway, you’ll need a council permit (some companies take care of the paperwork, some don’t) — and this can be a bit stricter in a London Borough.
• If it’s going on the road, will they provide the right safety bits? Things like safety lights, reflective markings, and cones are often required, so make sure it’s covered.
• What can’t go in the skip? Most have restrictions (paint, tyres, plasterboard, batteries, electricals, gas canisters). Get the “no” list upfront so you’re not left juggling awkward items later.
• Are they correctly licensed and well reviewed? A legit company should have a waste carrier licence and a track record you can check (reviews, local recommendations, that kind of thing).