Hiring a skip can be a great choice for waste disposal whether you’re looking to tackle home renovations, garden renovations, or even office refurbishments.
However, when hiring a skip for the first time, there are common pitfalls that many people experience that can easily be avoided with a bit of foresight and planning.
To ensure that your skip hire experience is smooth and hassle-free, aside from working with the team here at REMONDIS, look below for some essential tips on skip hire from our many years of experience.
1. Choosing The Right Skip Size
One of the most common mistakes when hiring a skip is underestimating how much waste you need to move. This can lead to hiring a skip that is too small and putting yourself at risk of overloading the skip and paying additional fees.
On the contrary, overestimating can result in you paying over the odds for a too-big skip.
Accurately assessing the amount of waste you have can be done by considering the type and quantity of materials you dispose of. To better understand the skip size you need, consult our skip size guide. If in doubt, it is better to go one size up rather than needing to arrange additional skips.
2. Understand Skip Permit Requirements
In the UK, placing a skip on the public road will require a permit from the local council. You won’t need this if the skip is being put on private property, yet not everyone has the space to do this.
Here at REMONDIS, we will arrange this permit for you, so you have one less thing to worry about.
If you choose to use another skip hire company, please be aware that although it is the responsibility of the container owner to ensure this permit is in place before delivery, you should still ensure you use a reputable company that will ensure full compliance. Failing to ensure the right permits are in place can result in fines, additional changes, and delays.
3. Educate Yourself On Prohibited Items
Not all waste can be disposed of in a skip. You must ensure that your skip is not contaminated with hazardous materials such as asbestos, batteries, electrical appliances and chemicals. These are prohibited items and failure to comply with the list of prohibited items that your skip hire provider states, can incur additional charges and potential environmental harm.
Make sure to familiarise yourself with your chosen company’s prohibited items list and ask questions if you are unsure.
4. Never Overload Your Skip
Overloading a skip is not only illegal but can be dangerous. UK laws mandate that skips must not be filled above the height of the sides, as overfilled skips can pose safety hazards to handling and transportation staff.
An overloaded skip can incur additional charges removing the excess waste before collection.
Avoid this by compacting your waste properly and levelling off the top of the skip, keeping an eye on the filler level marker on the skip side.
5. Plan Where You’re Placing Your Skip
Take the time to think carefully about where you are putting your skip. Ensure that there is a proper route for delivery and collection and that the skip won’t block any driveways, pavements or emergency access routes.
6. Schedule Your Delivery and Collection Properly
Timing is key when it comes to hiring a skip. You want the skip delivered once you are ready to start your project to avoid it sitting idle and essentially wasting money. Likewise, you don’t want to wait around once the project is completed to prevent the skip from unnecessarily occupying space.
7. Clear Communication is Key
Communicating with your skip-hire provider is key for preventing lots of common issues.
Provide all the information your skip hire team will need, including the type and volume of waste, placement location and any other specific requirements that are important for skip hire.
Make sure to regularly check in with the company too to ensure everything is on track.
Avoiding these common mistakes can create a more efficient and stress-free skip-hire experience. Choosing the right skip, understanding permit requirements, adhering to skip hire standards and maintaining clear communication can all ensure that your waste disposal process is seamless and compliant with UK regulations.
For professional advice and a reliable service, choose a reputable skip hire company such as the team here at REMONDIS, who will work to understand your needs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today and speak to our team of experts!
