Which skip size do you need?

A skip is too heavy when it reaches its weight limit, which happens before it looks full if you are loading heavy materials. Signs to watch for: the skip does not budge when you try to rock it, or the material is visibly very dense (solid rubble, wet soil, concrete). As a rough guide, a builders skip can hold around 8 to 10 tonnes of light waste but only 3 to 4 tonnes of heavy material like soil or concrete before the weight limit is reached. If you are unsure, call us. We would rather advise you upfront than be unable to collect.

Yes, soil can go in a skip, but it counts as heavy waste. As a rough guide, a 6 yard builders skip can hold around 8 to 10 tonnes of light waste but only 3 to 4 tonnes of heavy material like soil before reaching its weight limit, so a soil-heavy load can hit that limit before the skip looks full. If your job involves significant soil (garden clearance, landscaping, or excavation work) we recommend going one size up from what you think you need, or calling us to discuss a dedicated heavy-waste skip. Do not mix heavy soil with light waste in the same skip if you can avoid it.

The 4 yard midi skip is suited to domestic renovation jobs: a kitchen or bathroom, flooring from one or two rooms, or a medium garden clearance. The 6 yard builders skip is our most popular size for building and construction work, trade use, and larger mixed-waste jobs. If you are doing a full renovation or have trade waste, the builders skip is usually the better choice.

Permit requirements are based on where the skip is placed, not its size. If the skip goes on your driveway or private land, no permit is needed regardless of size. If it needs to go on a public road or pavement, you need a permit from the local council, regardless of size. We arrange the application on your behalf as part of every booking that requires one. The cost is quoted upfront.

No. Skips must not be loaded above the fill line marked on the sides. An overfilled skip is unsafe to transport, as loose materials can fall from the vehicle and create a hazard on public roads. It is also a legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act. If your skip is getting full before you have finished, call us to arrange a swap or an additional skip.