How to Hire a Skip: A Full Guide

As you will all be aware, skip hire companies and skip hire can take many different formats. Commonly, skips are required when projects are being done around the home or at work, when the need to deposit waste is on a larger scale than normal.

What You Can Put in a Skip

There are now also many environmental issues that have to be looked at. As regulations have changed over the years, the types of waste to be taken away has also now become a major consideration and most skip hire, or waste removal companies will be able to advise you of the rules and regulations that need to be adhered to in terms of what you can actually put in your skip and also what they are allowed to take away and dispose of for you.

In general, there are certain materials that you cannot put into any skips, things like Asbestos, Paint, Tyres, Gas Bottles, Fridges, Freezers, TV’s, Fluorescent Tubes, Light Bulbs and Vehicle Batteries because they are considered to be hazardous waste and need to be disposed of in specific ways. If you have any questions about what waste you can or cannot put into your skip then please visit our forum and post a question for more indepth advice or you can also check out this handy check list on the Ground Skips website.

Different Types of Skips Available for Hire

There are several sizes of skip available (images reference approximate capacities):

• Mini skip 2 cubic yards – small size, this is often used for small house or garden waste removal



• Midi skip 4 cubic yards – intermediate size, this is the approximate size required for kitchen or bathroom refurbishments



• Small builders skip 6 cubic yards – this larger (builders skip) size is generally the cut-off point between the domestic skip for larger more industrial jobs and the smaller jobs for builders

As mentioned, anything over the sizes outlined above is considered a more industrial size and additional rules and regulations then become applicable.

Larger skip sizes are often categorised as follows:

• Large builders skip 8 cubic yards – This type is normally reserved for larger scale building jobs and renovation work where volumes of heavy waste is needing to be disposed of
• Maxi sized skip 10 cubic yards – This size of skip is usually suited to large house clearance such as complete renovation of numerous rooms
• Large maxi skip 12 cubic yards – This is about as large as you can get without going fully industrial. This skip type would be suited to the complete renovation of ever room in a large house

NOTE: Most skips that can be hired feature a "load line". This line states how full you can actually fill the skip. It is well worth paying attension to this line as if you overfill then the hire company may refuse to pick the skip up until you have got the contents down to the load line.

Where Can I Put My Skip?

One further consideration should be where your skip will be placed. If you have space for your skip on your own private land you will not need a skip permit. However there are regulations that need to be followed in terms of where you can put a skip if you intend to place it on or near a public road. In these situations you will need to apply for a skip permit from your local council (to avoid any obstruction issues). To find contact details for your local council check out the "find your local council" section of the gov.uk website

In some cases this may take a little time to be processed so bear this in mind and leave plenty of time. Don’t leave it until the last minute. For further information on this you may wish to look at the Highways Act 1980, sections 139 – 140. Click here for the full highways act. and then scroll down to section 139 "Control of a builders skip"

If you are hiring a builder or contractor to carry out home improvement or renovation work for you then they should take care of any permits that are needed but it might be worth confirming this as you don’t want to be fined for any lack of consideration on your builder or contractors part.