Skip hire prices

If you’re looking for a skip hire near you, keep reading to find out how much it might cost…

How much does skip hire cost?

Below are some of the average skip hire prices in the UK:

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.

Ready to get quotes for your skip hire?

Use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we’ll get experienced local tradespeople to contact you directly.

How much is a skip to hire per week?

Here are some average weekly costs of skip hire for common skip sizes in the UK:

• Mini 2 – 3 yard skip – £105
• Midi 4 -5 yard skip – £190
• Builder 6 – 8 yard skip – £305

How much is skip hire near me?

One of the biggest factors that affect the cost of skip hire is your location. Skip hire prices vary across the UK, so it’s important to see average skip hire prices near you.

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

Get quotes for skip hire prices near me

To get accurate quotes, you need to be as detailed as you can. Here are a few of our top tips to help you get the best right skip hire quotes:

• 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

Skip hire permit cost

If you plan on putting a skip outside the boundary of your property, you’ll usually need permission from your local council.

Council permits can cost around £15 – £60, depending on where you live. To find out if you need a permit or not, speak to your local planning office.

Skip hire cost calculator

To calculate how much a skip is to hire, you need to know what size skip you need and for how long. The longer you want to keep the skip, the more you will have to pay.

Since your council permit may only be valid for 14 – 30 days, you will have to pay extra to get it extended.

Here’s a quick calculation for working out the cost of skip hire:

Cost of relevant size skip x Number of days/weeks = Total cost to skip hire

Skip hire and waste size calculator

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

• Small home project: 2-4 yard skip (approximately 10-20 bin bags or 1-2 cars with extended boot, estate or people carrier)
• Small home/garden clearance: 4-6 yard skip (between 30–50 bin bags or enough to fit in a small van, around boot 3.1m³)
• Large kitchen/home refurbishment: 6-8 yard 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)

Factors affecting your skip hire costs

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 prices:

• Skip size: You pay according to the size of the skip you wish to hire, so the larger the skip size the more you’ll pay
• Duration of the hire: As you might expect, the longer you hire a skip the more it will cost
• Council permits: If you’re planning to place the skip on council land, you’ll need to pay a fee for the relevant permit
• Where you live: Skip hire costs vary across the country, with rates usually being higher in and around London compared to other areas of the country
• Rubbish removal costs: The cost of removing waste from your skip is usually included in the skip hire price, however, additional unplanned removals may incur extra charges
• Fines: You will often have to pay a fine if you put restricted waste materials in the skip, so check restrictions with your skip hire company before hiring

How to save money on skip hire costs

There are many ways in which you can save on skip hire costs.

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 for emptying it and a new skip being delivered – which will increase the total cost to skip hire.

Hiring a skip that’s a lot bigger than the waste you generate need 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/weeks you’re hiring a skip for. If you have a good idea of timelines, you can get the best skip hire prices for that amount of time.

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

It’s important to ensure that you know 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.

How does skip hire work?

Watch our video for expert advice on how to select the right size skip for your project.

The price covers delivery, collection, and disposal. No labour is included although some operators may offer this for extra.

Skip sizes available in the UK

Before you can decide on the type of skip you want to hire, you need to know the skip sizes and types available.

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.

Here are the common skip sizes in the UK:

Small-medium skip sizes

• 2-3 yard mini skip hire: 25 – 35 bin bags
• 4-5 yard midi skip hire: 45 – 55 bin bags
• 6 yard skip hire: 60 – 65 bin bags
• 8 yard skip hire: 80 – 85 bin bags

Large skip sizes

• 10 yard skip hire: 100 – 105 bin bags
• 12 yard skip hire: 120 – 125 bin bags
• 14 yard skip hire: 145 – 150 bin bags
• 16 yard skip hire: 175 – 180 bin bags
• 18 yard skip hire: 195 – 200 bin bags

Extra large skip sizes

• 20 yard roll-on roll-off skip hire: 220 – 230 bin bags
• 30 yard roll-on roll-off skip hire: 330 – 340 bin bags
• 40 yard roll-on roll-off skip hire: 440 – 450 bin bags

Lockable skip hire

Most commonly 8 – 16 yard skips are lockable to prevent people from putting unwanted items in your skip.

How can I find a reliable skip hire company?

All skip hire companies featured on Checkatrade are approved by us, having been through 12 rigorous checks.

That’s why we encourage you to search our online directory to find the best local skip hire services near you.

Alternatively, post details of what you need here and we’ll do the legwork for you. We’ll reach out to multiple skip hire companies in your area and get them to contact you directly.

Before you book skip hire near you

Before you can hire a skip, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where are you placing the skip?
2. Do you need a permit to place it in your reserved area?
3. How long will you need the skip for?
4. Which size skip do you require?

Before the delivery of your skip

Make sure that you have a clear space for the skip to be delivered to – with easy access for the driver to drop off your skip (and collect it on your specified day).

Should you have any questions whilst you have your skip, contact the skip hire company for help.

FAQs

What is the average price of a skip in the UK?

Hiring a skip in the UK will usually cost somewhere in the region of £105 to £305 per week, depending on skip size and where you live.

How long can you hire a skip for?

The standard skip hire duration is a one-week hire. If you need a skip for less time than a week or if you need one for longer than a week, we recommend just negotiating with your local skip hire company.

Skip hire companies are usually quite flexible about when they collect provided you give them adequate notice.

Can you put anything in a skip?

We recommend in the first instance to call and check with your local skip hire for guidance on rules in your local area. There are strict rules and regulations about what can be thrown into a skip.

Suitable items you can put in your skip include household items such as – wood, tiles, plaster, furniture, paper and cardboard, garden waste and clothes. Heavy materials such as – bricks, concrete, metals, pottery and clay, rubble and stones.

Why do skip hire prices vary?

As with all home improvement services, prices fluctuate over time, across the country, and according to your needs.

The size of a skip and how long you need to hire it are two of the main factors that affect skip hire costs.

Location is another important factor, as you’ll find it usually costs more to hire a skip in and around London compared to other parts of the country.

Why are skips so expensive now?

One of the main reasons for skip hire costs going up is the increase in landfill tax, which increases each year. That tax is added to the total price of skip hire.

With increased efforts to encourage sustainability and recycling, increasing amounts of legislation are being introduced to control waste disposal.

These changes can lead to additional costs for skip hire companies, which they then pass on in the costs of their skip hire.

What does a 4 yard skip look like?

A 4-yard skip is usually 1 metre high, 1.8 metres long and 1.3 metres wide. It’s the most popular skip size for residential waste as its capacity is perfect for most small household projects.

Is a 6 yard skip big enough?

A 6 yard skip will usually hold the equivalent of 60 – 65 bin bags. So if you think that’s roughly how much waste you’ll generate then it should be big enough.

What materials cannot go in a skip?

• Asbestos
• Batteries
• Clinical or medical waste, including syringes
• Electrical appliances & equipment
• Fluorescent tubes
• Fridges, freezers and air conditioning units
• Gas canisters and gas bottles
• Hazardous & toxic materials
• Liquids
• Oil, petrol, diesel
• Paint & cans of paint
• Plasterboard
• Tyres
• TVs & computer screens

Here’s what you can put in your skip:

• Rubble and bricks
• Furniture
• Garden waste
• Mattresses
• Non-electrical fixtures and fittings
• Plastic
• Metal
• Wood

Top tip: Keep an eye on your skip if it’s in an open and public area to prevent unwanted rubbish from being placed in your skip. If you’re concerned about it, we recommend you hire a lockable skip.