Skip hire is a popular way to dispose of waste, but it can be confusing for those who have never used it before. The section below will explain everything you need to know about skip hire, from how to pick the right size skip for your needs to what can and can’t be put in a skip.
You’ll be an expert on skip hire by the time you finish this guide!
Which Size You Should Hire
The amount of rubbish and the available area will determine the optimal skip size. The cost per cubic yard/metre of cleared rubbish decreases as the size of the skip increases.
To avoid paying for empty space, make sure you have enough rubbish to fill it. Keep in mind that most councils forbid the placement of skips greater than eight yards on a public highway.
Your Budget for a Skip Hire
The size of the skip that you hire (bigger ones cost more), the Region where you hire the skip (the South is often more expensive than the North due to higher operating and disposal costs), and whether or not you need a skip permit all significantly impact skip prices.
On average, an off-road 8-yard skip costs about £250 in the country (£300 with VAT).
Remember that, unless you are getting rid of a lot of really heavy, dense items like debris and dirt, hiring a skip is far more efficient than having the rubbish removed by a man and vehicle service.
Things That Cannot Be Disposed Of in a Skip
Don’t throw the following into your skip hire:
- Asbestos
- Batteries
- Waste from the medical field, including syringes
- electrical equipment & appliances
- luminous tubes
- refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners
- Gas bottles and canisters
- hazardous materials
- Liquids
- petrol, diesel, and oil
- Paint and paint cans
- Plasterboard
- Tyres
- Computer and TV screens
Be advised that if any forbidden materials are found when the skip is emptied, you may be charged additional fees and have any restricted items returned.
Keep a watch on your skip if it’s out in the open where people can see it since they might dump their own waste there. In that case, the rubbish in your skip is your responsibility.
Duration and Collection of Your Skip Hire
The cost of a skip often includes up to two weeks of rental. The due date is negotiable. At the time of hire, you can either select when you want the skip collected or request a collection after learning more.
Skip rental businesses often pick up within a few days of your request, so if you need the skip gone by a certain date, make sure to give them plenty of warning.
If you require a skip for a period longer than two weeks, then it makes sense to inform the skip hire provider. They can add further fees, or they might merely state they’ll prolong the hire for no extra expense.
In reality, unless they’ve run out of skips back at their yard and are turning away business, it doesn’t cost the skip company anything to keep the skip at your property for a few extra days.
However, remember that you will need to extend your skip permit and any parking suspension if the skip is placed on a roadway. Longer hire periods may result in more fees because both are costly.
Access Limits and Skip Lorry Access Requirements
Skips are typically delivered using large, wider-than-a-car 7.5-ton HGV vehicles. Make sure the site you want the skip in has enough room for the skip lorry to access it or think about choosing another one.
Verify in advance with your skip hire provider that the dimensions of the lorry will fit if the road or gate access is narrow.
Limitations on Weight
Skips are subject to weight restrictions; however, homeowners rarely have problems with these restrictions. This is to ensure that users don’t fill skips with tonnes of particularly heavy rubbish, such as soil and rubble.
It would be helpful if you could ask the skip hire company about a general overview of weight restrictions, albeit these do differ somewhat per skip company. It is quite unlikely to be a problem, though, unless you want to hire a skip larger than eight cubic yards and load it fully with dirt, bricks, sand, or debris.
Skip Hire Load Levels
The majority of skips plainly state on the side, and the skip hire terms and conditions will also state, “Level Loads only.” This means that you should never fill a skip higher than the sides.
If you are taller, the skip lorry driver may refuse to pick up your skip or demand that you remove all the extra items first. This is so that people aren’t hurt, or their property isn’t damaged during transportation of overloaded skips.
Council Safety Regulations for Skips
Some safety regulations apply to skips. On the skip, you might need to install safety lighting or coverings. The easiest way to learn the regulations in your area of the UK is to speak with your local council; nonetheless, the vast majority call for lights and a cover overnight.
Any reputable skip supplier will advise you on your skip’s safety requirements. The majority of skip suppliers include the costs of lights and coverings. However, others require customers to pay for them.
If so, you can buy skip lights and covers offline at places like Screwfix or online at places like Amazon. A skip cover can be made out of tarpaulin or a similar material.
Avoid hiring skip businesses that don’t provide you advice since, if the skip is on a public road and doesn’t adhere to the council’s safety rules, you might receive a fine of up to £1000. The regulations don’t apply if it’s on private property.
Conclusion
A skip is perfect for the messy, heavy rubbish you produce from those larger projects, provided you have space to put it on your property. With skips, weight is a consideration, so be careful to avoid the vehicle being overloaded, or you may end up being charged more if you have a lot of soil, paving stones, or bricks.
Enviro Skip Hire is your best choice for a skip hire in Cheshire. We’re a family-run skip hire and aggregate company with a wide range of skip sizes and aggregates. Call us now to receive excellent service!
