What size skip should I hire?

Skip hire can be a little confusing if you’re new to it. So, we’ve put together this guide to help you answer the question: what size skip should I hire?

We’ll also look at how much waste will fit in each skip size and the average cost for the different skip sizes.

How are skip sizes measured?

In the UK, skip sizes are referred to in terms of yards. For example, there is a 6-yard skip. That’s because skips are measured in cubic yards.

The standard skip sizes in the UK typically range from 2 to 35 yards. For most domestic projects, homeowners usually need a skip of up to 8 yards.

Larger skips of over 8 yards tend to be used for commercial projects that generate more waste.

Common skip sizes

Here are the dimensions for some of the most common skip hire sizes in the UK:

You’ll typically choose from three common skip hire sizes for domestic use in the UK: mini, midi, and builder.

Small ‘mini’ skip hire sizes

The smallest skip hire size is usually a 2-yard skip. It’s often called a ‘mini skip’ and can fit about 20-30 bin bags of waste.

A 2-yard skip is ideal for small waste jobs such as general garden work or small DIY projects.

Medium ‘midi’ skip hire sizes

The most common skip sizes for medium-sized projects are 4-yard and 5-yard skips.

These are perfect for home improvements, such as a kitchen or bathroom renovation.

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.

Large ‘builder’ skip hire sizes

If you’re researching skip hire sizes, you’ll no doubt come across the term ‘builder skip’. This generally refers to a 6-yard to 8-yard skip.

They’re referred to as ‘builder skips’ because their size makes them a popular choice for most standard builder jobs on a home.

A 6-yard skip will hold around 50-60 bin bags of waste, including a reasonable amount of bulky waste.

An 8-yard skip offers plenty of space for larger home improvement jobs. It will fit the equivalent of around 70-80 bin bags of waste.

Due to its large size, an 8-yard skip isn’t suitable for heavy waste like rubble. It would be too heavy to be lifted when full.

Builders skips are a great choice for home improvement projects that generate quite a bit of non-heavy waste, such as kitchen, bathroom, and home renovations.

Other extra large skip hire sizes

Alongside the popular domestic skip hire sizes, extra large skip sizes are available.

These giant skips are usually used for the waste disposal of large-scale commercial projects:

• 12-yard ‘jumbo’ skip holds around 120 bin bags of waste
• 17-yard ‘roll on/roll off’ skips are typically found on commercial and industrial sites with large amounts of waste
• 35-yard skip is a mega-sized skip suited to large-scale commercial and construction projects

What size skip is best to hire for me?

The best skip size for you will depend on why you need the skip in the first place.

Here’s a quick rundown of common home improvement projects and the best skip size for the job:

• Small home project – 2- to 4-yard skip
• Small home or garden clearance – 4- to 6-yard skip
• Large kitchen or home refurbishment – 6- to 8-yard skip
• Full home or office declutter – 12- to 14-yard skip

Want to know more about skip hire in the UK? Read our guide on how skip hire works.

Skip sizes and prices

Here are some of the most common skip sizes and prices for average weekly hire in the UK:

• Mini skip (2-3 yards) – £125 per week
• Midi skip (4-5 yards) – £225 per week
• Builder skip (6-8 yards) – £320 per week

To find out more about prices, check out our guide to skip hire costs.

Find the best skip hire companies near you

Checkatrade has two quick and easy ways to find the best skip hire companies near you:

1. Request a quote by telling us what you need doing and we’ll get approved skip hire specialists in your area to contact you directly
2. Browse a list of approved Checkatrade skip hire services near you by entering your postcode into the search box below

FAQs

What is the most common skip size?

In the UK, you’ll often find that the most common size of domestic skip is a 6- or 8-yard ‘builder skip’.

This is mainly due to their size as they can hold a large amount of waste and are easy to use.

What size skip is best for house clearance?

If you’re planning a full house clearance project, you’ll most likely want to hire a large or extra large skip.

A 12-14 yard skip will be able to fit roughly 110-120 bin bags of rubbish. That’s the equivalent of filling an 8m x 6m garden shed.

What size skip do I need for a double mattress?

If you want to get rid of a large item, like a double mattress, you don’t necessarily need a skip.

You can usually dispose of your mattress for free at your local recycling centre.

Alternatively, most councils in the UK will offer a special collection service for large waste items for a fee.

You can apply for special collections of large waste items at Gov.uk.

If you have other waste as well as your double mattress, a 6-yard skip would be a good option (depending on how much other waste you have to dispose of).

Is a 4-yard skip big enough?

A 4-yard skip will typically fit around 4 tonnes of waste. That’s the equivalent of about 30-40 bin bags or around 8 wheelie bins full of waste.

If that sounds about right for your waste clearance project then yes, a 4-yard skip should be big enough.

What can you fit in a 6-yard skip?

As a general rule, a 6-yard skip is the right size for most medium-sized domestic projects.

If you’re doing some small-scale home renovation, clear-out, or small construction project then a 6-yard skip should be perfect.

To give you a guide of size, a 6-yard skip typically holds around 50-60 bin bags of waste.

What does a 5-yard skip look like?

A 5-yard skip is traditionally considered to be the largest size of the “midi” skip size.

The dimensions of a 5-yard skip are 2.75m long by 1.8m wide by 1.10m high.

5-yard skips tend to be very popular as they’re ideal for many common DIY projects, such as a kitchen renovation or bathroom refurbishment.

You’ll typically fit around 50 bin bags of waste in a 5-yard skip.