Probably the most frequently asked question about skip hire is: “What size skip do I need?”
The answer is, it depends how much waste you need to put in it – but we’re happy to help you decide.
We’ve put together this guide to how to choose skip sizes based on some numbers you should be able to work out – if you’re still not sure, give us a call.
Max size for skip hire
Before we go any further, it’s worth checking the rules in your area, as the max size for skip hire on a public highway is usually 8 cubic yards.
We supply 8, 12 and 14 cubic yard skips, but an 8-yarder is often enough for domestic refurbishments, unless you’re clearing multiple rooms.
If you have private land (e.g. a driveway) where your skip can be placed, then you’re not limited by the public highway rules – so do you need a bigger skip?
By room
If you’re planning a refurb or a one-room clearance (e.g. getting rid of junk from a box room filled to the rafters) then try to judge how much waste there will be.
More extensive renovations, such as removing stud walls or replacing floorboards, will naturally generate more waste, so you might want to consider a 12 or 14-yarder.
Likewise if you’re emptying a garage or removing multiple trees and shrubs from your garden, a bigger skip might be sensible to handle the bulky waste.
By volume
So how big is a skip anyway? They’re traditionally measured in cubic yards, which might sound strange if you’re used to the metric system.
A cubic yard is a three-foot cube. That’s 91cm along each edge. It’s a surprisingly large volume – about the same as two washing machines.
Remember that you’ll never perfectly fill a skip, especially with bulky waste, so allow some extra for the small spaces around the items you throw away.
By bin bags
One easier way to visualise skip size is in terms of black bags. A cubic yard holds about 10 full black bags (or thick ‘refuse sacks’ for heavier waste).
That makes it easy to work out:
- 8-yard skip = 80 bags
- 12-yard skip = 120 bags
- 14-yard skip = 140 bags
Again it depends on exactly what you’re throwing away, and black bags can vary in size, so your exact result might differ. But this is a good rule of thumb.
Need some help?
So to summarise, some of the ways to decide what skip size you need:
- How much waste do you think you’ll produce?
- How many bags do you think it will fill?
- Are you limited by public highway rules?
One last thing to keep in mind is this: assuming you’re not limited to an 8-yard skip, it usually doesn’t cost much extra to go for a 12 or 14-yarder. But if you run out of room and need to hire a separate skip for the last of your waste, it’s likely to cost much more.
If you’re ready to book your skip hire – or if you need more tips on how to choose the best skip size – give us a call and we’ll get you sorted out.