4 Things to Think About When You Hire a Skip

Hiring a skip is often the unsung hero of any successful home renovation, garden overhaul, or commercial clearance. It is the most efficient way to manage large volumes of waste, allowing you to keep your site safe and clutter-free. The ability to load up your waste simply and have it hauled away is invaluable. This applies whether you are ripping out a dated bathroom, clearing a construction site, or finally tackling the attic after a decade.

However, for those who have never hired a skip before, the process can seem surprisingly complex. It isn’t just a case of ordering a metal box and throwing everything inside. There are several factors you must navigate to avoid fines, delays, or extra charges. These include legal permits, strict environmental regulations, logistical access issues, and more.

To ensure your project runs smoothly, it is vital to use an experienced, reputable skip hire company. That said, beyond choosing the right partner, what else do you need to consider? Here is your comprehensive checklist for hiring a skip.

The Logistics of Delivery

Before you even look at sizes, you need to determine exactly where the skip is going to live. This seems simple, but it dictates the cost and legal requirements of your hire.

Private Land vs. Public Highway

Ideally, your skip should be placed on private land, such as your driveway, a front garden, or a private construction site. This is the cheapest and easiest option as it requires no external permissions.

However, if you do not have a driveway or if your driveway is too narrow, you will need to place the skip on the public highway (the road).

  • Permits: You cannot simply dump a skip on the road. You legally require a skip permit (licence) from your local council.
  • Who applies? In most cases, your skip hire company will apply for this permit on your behalf, but the cost is usually passed on to you on top of the hire price.
  • Safety: Skips on roads must have safety lights and reflective markings to prevent accidents at night.

Access for the Truck

It is not just about where the skip sits; it is about how it gets there. Skip lorries are large, heavy vehicles (often around 9ft wide plus mirrors).

  • The Approach: Are there low-hanging trees, narrow lanes, or parked cars that would block a large HGV?
  • The Drop: The lorry needs room to extend its stabilising legs and the lifting mechanism. If you are tight on space, mention this when booking.
  • Driveway Protection: Skips are heavy. If you have a soft tarmac or block-paved driveway, consider laying down wooden planks. This helps to prevent the skip from marking or damaging the surface.

The “Level Load” Rule

One of the most common mistakes customers make is underestimating the volume of their waste. Trying to save money by ordering a skip that is too small often results in needing to hire a second one, which costs significantly more in the long run.

Skip sizes are measured in cubic yards. Here is a quick breakdown to help you visualise:

  • 6-Yard Skip (Small Builders): Holds approx. 50–60 bin bags. Perfect for bathroom refits, small garden clearances, or moderate house decluttering.
  • 8-Yard Skip (Large Builders): The most popular size. Holds approx. 60–80 bin bags. Ideal for heavy construction waste, soil, rubble, and larger renovation projects.
  • 12-Yard to 16-Yard Skips (Maxi): These are for bulky, light waste (like old furniture or shop refits). Note: These large skips usually cannot be used for heavy soil or hardcore, as the truck will not be able to lift them once full.

The “Level Load” Warning

You must strictly adhere to the Level Load requirement. You cannot pile waste up like a pyramid above the sides of the skip. It is illegal for a skip lorry to travel with an unsafe, overflowing load because debris could fall into traffic. If you overfill your skip, the driver may refuse to take it, or you may be charged for a “wasted journey.”

What You Can’t Throw Away

In the past, you could throw almost anything into a skip. Today, environmental regulations are strict. Using professional waste management services ensures legal compliance. That said, you need to know what must be separated.

If you mix prohibited items into general waste, you risk contamination charges or having the skip returned to you.

Items requiring specialist disposal include:

  • Electrical Items (WEEE): TVs, fridges, computers, and toasters cannot go to landfill. They must be stripped for parts and recycled safely.
  • Plasterboard: In the UK, plasterboard (gypsum) must be disposed of separately from general waste. This is due to chemical reactions that occur in a mixed landfill. You often need a dedicated bag or skip for this.
  • Hazardous Materials: Asbestos, gas cylinders, solvents, fuel, and paint cans (unless empty and dried out).
  • Tyres and Batteries: These pose significant fire and environmental risks.
  • Mattresses: Some companies charge extra for these due to the difficulty in processing them.

If you have these items, speak to your skip hire company first. They can often arrange a separate collection or advise on the best legal route for disposal.

Sustainability and Your “Duty of Care”

When your waste is driven away, where does it go? In the modern world, we all have a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint.

You legally have a “Duty of Care” to ensure your waste is disposed of correctly. If you use a “man with a van” found on social media and they fly-tip your waste in a country lane, you can be fined if the waste is traced back to you.

By using a reputable company like Brewsters Waste Management, you ensure:

  • High Recycling Rates: Your waste is taken to a transfer station where it is sorted. Wood, metal, hardcore, cardboard, and soil are separated and recycled.
  • Reduced Landfill: Only the absolute non-recyclable residue ends up in landfill.
  • Full Compliance: You have peace of mind knowing your waste is handled legally.

Duration of Hire and Alternatives

How long will the job take?

  • Standard Hire: Most companies offer a standard hire period (often 7 to 14 days). If you need it longer, you must arrange this in advance to avoid rental charges.
  • Wait and Load: If you cannot get a road permit or don’t have space to leave a skip, ask about a “Wait and Load” service. The driver arrives, waits while you load the waste immediately (usually 30–45 mins), and drives away. No permit required!
  • Caged Lorries: For large, bulky clearances where a skip isn’t viable, a caged lorry might be the solution. The crew often helps load the waste, making it a labour-saving option.

Get the Best Service in London

Hiring a skip doesn’t have to be stressful. By planning your location, picking the right size, and understanding waste streams, you can save money and time.

If you are undertaking a project in the capital, you need a partner who understands the unique logistical challenges of London roads.
Brewsters Waste Management has over 20 years of experience. Over the years, we’ve been providing reliable, eco-friendly skip hire and waste solutions. Whether you need a 6-yard skip for a home clear-out or commercial waste management for a building site, we have the fleet to handle it.

Don’t let waste hold up your project: call us for a competitive quote and expert advice.