What You Should Know Before You Hire a Skip

How much does it cost to hire a skip?

Hiring a skip can be a great option for disposing of large quantities of waste. But you might be wondering how much it costs to hire a skip. The cost of hiring a skip typically includes the skip's rental fee, delivery and collection, permits and any additional fees for overloading or exceeding the weight capacity.

The rental fees for a skip will vary based on its size, type, and duration. The bigger the skip you need, the more costly it will be. Generally, larger skip sizes cost more than smaller skip sizes, and skips rented for longer periods are cheaper than those only hired for a short time. Prices may also vary depending on the time of year and where in the UK you are planning to hire from.

Do skip hire companies help load the skip?

Most skip-hire companies do not offer a loading service. This means you will need to load the skip yourself or arrange for someone else to do it for you. It is important to bear in mind that incorrectly loaded skips with items such as rubble, stone and soil placed at an angle can potentially become overloaded and become unsafe for transportation.

When filling the skip, you should always start by placing the lightest waste items such as cardboard or paper toward the bottom. Heavier materials like concrete and soil should be placed near the top. If you are unsure about how to correctly load your skip, you should contact your skip provider for guidance. 

What access requirements do I need for the skip hire delivery?

If you are arranging for a skip to be delivered, you should consider any access requirements beforehand. If your property has limited access, this could affect the type of skip size the company can deliver or the cost associated with delivering the skip if specialist equipment is needed. 

In addition to ensuring the skip can be delivered, you must also make sure there is enough space to park it. The skip may need to be located on the public highway or on private land, in which case you may need to hire a crane or other special machinery to lift the skip into place.

Are there skip-hire safety rules?

Using a skip safely is important. Skips come in a wide range of sizes and you should never overload a skip as this can cause damage to both the skip and the vehicle that is carrying it. You should also never jump or climb over a skip and always keep children away from the skip when it is being filled. 

You should never put hazardous materials, such as asbestos, tyres, paint, oils, gas canisters, fridges, freezers, medical waste and chemicals into a skip. These items will need to be disposed of separately via specialist disposal companies. 

What does level loaded mean?

Level loaded means that all of the waste in the skip is level with the sides. This allows the lorry that collects the skip to securely transport it without it shifting around. A level-loaded skip assists with weight distribution, meaning there is less risk of the skip becoming overloaded or having an uneven load. This helps to prevent accidents and damage to the skip.

When filling your skip, you should compact the material so that it is level with the sides, and ensure there are no items sticking out. If your waste is protruding from the skip, the driver may refuse to collect it or you may incur extra charges for the extra fuel and labour involved with having to clear the waste up.