Skip hire costs in the UK

Hiring a skip is one of the most cost-effective ways to get rid of all your unwanted rubbish. Whether you’re clearing the garden or installing a new bathroom, chances are you’ll need a skip for the waste.

We’ll guide you through the cost of hiring a skip including all the factors that will impact the price including size, hire duration, where you live in the UK and whether you need a skip hire permit.

We’ll also help to connect you with approved, certified trades you can rely on for skip hire.

How much does skip hire cost?

Skip hire prices will vary depending on several factors including the size of the skip, how long you need the skip and whether you need a permit. The costs outlined in the table above should be used as a guide only.

• Skip hire prices range from £75 to £450 per week, depending on the size of the skip you need
• If you need a skip permit these can cost up to £60
• Lockable skips will cost you more. Expect to pay an extra £50 – £150 on top

The biggest cost factor is the size of the skip. We’ll go into more detail on skip hire costs by size next.

For accurate skip hire costs, contact local skip hire companies for a quote.

Skip hire costs by size in the UK

The size of the skip is the biggest factor when it comes to skip hire costs. Generally speaking, smaller skips cost less than larger skips because they hold less waste.

Skip hire services dispose of the waste collected in the skip, using a combination of recycling, landfill, and incineration. So, the more waste the company has to take away and dispose of, the bigger the job.

That’s why hiring a larger 6 – 8 yard skip costs from £190 while small skip hire costs are much less, from around £75.

Let’s look at average weekly skip hire costs by size. Plus how much waste each size of skip can hold. 

Skips are typically measured by their volume in cubic yards. One cubic yard is roughly the same amount of space as 10 kitchen bin bags. 

Mini 2 – 3 yard skip hire

Cost: A mini 2 – 3 yard skip costs on average £125 per week

Size: Can hold about 25 – 35 bin bags or just over four household wheelie bins or 15 wheelbarrows

Uses: Ideal for small domestic jobs such as spring cleaning and garden waste. Also useful as a secondary skip if you have waste that needs to be disposed of separately e.g. plasterboard

Midi 4 – 5 yard skip hire

Cost: A midi 4 – 5 yard skip costs on average £225 per week

Size: Can hold about 45 – 55 bin bags or eight wheelie bins. Roughly the amount of waste that fits into a small car

Uses: A popular size skip to hire and ideal for renovation projects and smaller house clearances

Builder 6 – 8 yard skip hire

Cost: A builder 6 – 8 yard skip cost on average £320 per week

Size: Can hold about 65 – 85 bin bags

Use: Good for a kitchen or bathroom renovation and large garden landscaping projects

Lockable skips

Cost: A lockable skip will cost you an extra £50 – £150 on top of skip hire costs

Use: A good option if you want to keep your waste safe and secure

Why hire a lockable skip?

• Stop people adding waste to your skip without your permission
• Keep unwanted or dangerous waste out of your skip
• Ensure debris doesn’t blow out of the skip and cause potential damage or injury
• Keep your waste dry

Tip: Overfilling is a safety hazard and will cost you a penalty fee. So, it’s always better to hire a slightly larger skip than you think you might need to avoid this.

Factors that influence skip hire prices

Understanding what might affect skip hire prices near you will help you plan your budget more accurately. Here are some of the common factors that typically affect skip hire costs:

Where you live

One of the biggest factors that affect skip hire costs is your location. The price of skips varies across the UK, with rates usually being higher in and around London compared to other areas of the country.

To help you understand local skip hire costs, here’s a breakdown of weekly skip hire prices in different regions of the UK:

• The cheapest skip hire prices can be found further north with a mini 2 – 3 yard skip costing £65 - £110 
• The same sized skip hire in the south of the UK will set you back £90 - £150
• In London, expect to pay around £135-£175 for a 2 – 3 yard mini skip

As you can see, average skip hire prices in London can be double of what you’ll pay in the north of England.

When it comes to getting accurate skip hire prices near you, we always recommend getting multiple quotes from local skip hire companies.

That way, you can get a clearer idea of how much it is to hire a skip in your area.

Skip size

As we’ve detailed above, you pay according to the size of the skip you wish to hire –  the larger the skip size the more you’ll pay.

Read our helpful blog on what size of skip you need to hire.

Duration of hire

As you might expect, the longer you hire a skip the more it will cost. However, some skip hire providers now offer unlimited hire periods. But remember:

• Longer hire periods can mean an increase in skip permit costs if your skip is on a public road or footpath
• A skip hire permit typically lasts one to two weeks but check with your local council as this may vary from town to town
• Most councils will allow you to extend the permit for an extra fee
• If you keep a skip for longer than the permit allows, you can be fined

Cost of council permits

If you’re planning to place the skip on council land (such as a public road or footpath) you’ll need to pay a fee for the relevant skip hire permit.

Skip hire permits are issued by local councils. Fees vary but typically range from £15 – £60. 

In most areas, the skip hire company will arrange the permit for you, and the fee is often included within the skip hire price you’re quoted.

Waste materials

While most items can be thrown in a skip, there are some waste materials that aren’t allowed. If prohibited items are found in your skip, you may be charged extra disposal fees, which can bump up your overall skip hire costs.

After your skip is collected, the contents are sorted into piles for recycling and landfill. So it’s not advisable to try and hide restricted items.

Items you cannot put in a skip:

• Paints, oils and solvents
• Aerosols and gas canisters
• Batteries
• Tyres
• Hazardous waste such as asbestos and explosives
• Electrical appliances like TVs and microwaves
• Plasterboard which must be disposed of separately

In most cases, items that are not allowed in a skip can be taken to your local recycling centre.

Weight limits

Check the rules and regulations of how much weight you can put into a skip. As a general rule, the weight limit of a skip is determined by the size of the skip you hire.

• Different skip sizes are typically measured by their volume in cubic yards
• Each cubic yard equals around 1 tonne of waste
• So a 2 – 3 yard mini skip can hold 2 – 3 tonnes of waste
• An 8-yard builders skip has a maximum weight of 8 tonnes
• Smaller skips can normally be filled to the load level with heavy dirt and rubble
• It’s recommended that larger skips are filled with a mix of heavy and light waste

Skips that are overloaded won’t be collected, and some companies may charge extra fees or refuse to collect them.

How to choose the right skip for your project

Consider the following factors when choosing the right skip for your project:

Skip size

Here are some rough guides for helping you choose the right size of skip for your waste:

• Small home project: 2-4 yard mini skip (around 20 – 40 bin bags or 1-2 cars with extended boot, estate or people carrier)
• Small home/garden clearance: 4-6 yard mini skip (between 40 – 60 bin bags or enough to fit in a small van, around boot 3.1m³)
• Large kitchen/home refurbishment: 6-8 yard builders skip (around 60 – 80 bin bags or enough to fit into a standard transit van, around 8.3m³)
• Full home/office declutter: 12-14 yard skip (approximately 110-120 bin bags or enough to fill an 8m x 6m garden shed)

Waste volume and type

Try and estimate how much waste your project will produce – the list above will give you a good idea.

Choosing a skip that’s too small can overflow and mean extra costs. A skip that’s too big can be an unnecessary expense.

It’s usually safer to choose a slightly larger skip.

And don’t forget to check which waste materials are restricted. You don’t want to be lumbered with extra disposal costs for chucking in a prohibited item.

You might also be billed for the extra labour it costs to correctly dispose of the restricted item.

Skip hire duration

How long will you need the skip for? The longer you keep the skip, the more it will cost.

Some companies also charge extra if you go beyond the agreed rental period, so it is always advised to keep track of time.

Responsible waste management

Look for local skip hire companies that prioritise eco-friendly practices and recycling.

It’s a great way to make sure your waste is disposed of responsibly, helping you do your bit for the planet.

Skip hire costs

We recommend getting at least three quotes from different skip hire companies in your area so you can compare costs.

You might also want to look at how much it costs to hire a man with a van to take your rubbish to the tip. Check out rubbish removal prices too in case these are more cost-effective for your job.

Comparing quotes from a selection of recommended skip hire services will help you get the best deal for your skip.

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Additional skip hire costs

Skip permits

In the UK, you need a skip permit (also called a skip licence) to put a skip on a public road or in a public area. A skip permit is a legal requirement under the Highways Act 1980.

Council permits can cost around £15 – £60, depending on where you live.

You don’t need a skip permit if you’re putting the skip entirely on private land. But it’s best to contact your local planning office to find out if you need a skip permit or not.

In most cases, a skip hire company will be responsible for getting skip permits.

However, if you need to apply for a skip licence yourself, contact your local council and fill out an online form providing your address and start date of the skip hire period.

You may also need to put safety lights and markings on or around the skip. This could include:

• reflective markings
• traffic cones
• night-time safety lamps
• name and contact details of the skip hire company

Contact your local council to find exact rules for lights and markings in your area.

If you don’t put up the required lights and markings, you could be fined up to £1,000.

Extensions

Most councils will allow you to extend your permit for an additional fee if you need more time. You must apply for an extension before the original permit expires.

Fines and penalties

You can face fines and penalties for different skip-related offences in the UK, including:

• No permit: If you don’t have a skip licence to put a skip in a public place you could be fined up to £1,000 and your skip removed without notice
• No safety markings: If you don’t put up the required safety lights and markings, you could face a fine of up to £1,000
• Damage to public property: You might be fined if you damage any public property

Remember, skip hire companies may also charge extra fees if you overfill your skip or fill it with prohibited waste.

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How to save on skip hire costs

There are many ways you can save on domestic skip hire fees.

1. Make sure you hire the right size skip

Underestimating or overestimating the size of the skip you need can lead to unnecessary extra costs.

If your skip is too small, you’ll have to pay to empty it and have a new one delivered at an extra cost.

On the other hand, hiring a skip that’s a lot bigger than the waste you generate means you’re overpaying for space you don’t need.

2. Work out how long you need the skip for

You can often get deals based on how many days or weeks you’re hiring a skip for. If you have a good idea of timelines, you can get the best domestic skip hire fees for that amount of time.

3. Confirm what you’ll be putting in the skip

Get clued up on what you can and can’t put inside a skip. Avoid putting any inappropriate or hazardous materials in the skip that could breach the skip hire company’s rules.

Otherwise, you may find yourself liable to pay additional fees and fines.

4. Shop around for the best skip hire prices near you

Don’t just accept the first skip hire quote you get. Speak to multiple companies offering skip hire near you to get the best prices in your area.

Find a skip hire company near you

Finding waste removal and skip hire companies is easy with Checkatrade.

We check, verify and approve all of our members. All of the tradespeople in our directory meet our high quality standards.

Use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we’ll get experienced local tradespeople to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:

• Work out roughly how much rubbish you think you’ll generate, so you have an idea of the skip size you need to hire
• Estimate how many days you’ll need to hire the skip (check any limits imposed by your local council permits)
• Plan where you’ll put the skip – if it’s on public land you might need permission from your local council
• Get quotes from at least three local skip hire companies to check you’re being quoted fair and competitive prices

FAQs

What size skip do I need for a kitchen renovation?

A 4 – 5 yard midi skip hire is perfect for home improvements such as a kitchen renovation and costs on average £225 per week. A 4-yard skip can hold the equivalent of 30 – 40 bin bags of waste, while a 5-yard skip can hold 40 – 50 bin bags of waste.

How much does a skip permit cost in the UK?

Skip permit fees vary but typically range from £15 – £60. 

In most areas, the skip hire company will arrange the permit for you, and the fee is often included within the skip hire price you’re quoted.

Are there restrictions on what I can put in a skip?

Yes, there are. Not all waste can be put into a skip. Restrictions include:

• Asbestos
• Batteries
• Medical waste
• Electric equipment and appliances
• Fluorescent tubes
• Fridges and freezers
• Gas canisters
• Hazardous & toxic materials
• Oil, petrol and diesel

We recommend discussing your waste removal needs with a local skip hire company. A professional tradesperson can let you know if hiring a skip is your best option.

For more information head to our complete beginner’s guide to hiring a skip.

How long can I keep a skip on my property?

Usually you’ll be able to book your skip for a maximum of 14 days upfront. However, you’ll be able to extend the skip hire at a later date if you need to.

Some companies will let you do this for free, but most will charge you an additional fee. If you already know that you’ll need your skip for longer, it’s worth talking to your skip hire company to see if something can be arranged in advance.

What is the cheapest skip size for garden waste?

A mini 2 – 3 yard skip is a cheap skip hire option for garden waste and costs on average £125 per week.

Ready to go ahead and hire a skip? Get in touch with recommended skip hire services in your area and get quotes for skip hire costs.