If there’s one thing for sure, hiring a skip can be somewhat daunting if you’ve never done it before. With talks of ‘cubic yards’, ‘weight limits’, ‘skip hire permits’ and more jargon, the whole process can make a skip hire novice feel rather lost.
Here at REMONDIS, as a sector-leading recycling and skip hire company, we have put together a guide to hiring a skip, to help make the whole process easier and provide you with some expert knowledge on waste removal.
How Does Skip Hire Work?
When it comes to hiring a skip, with REMONDIS, you can either book your skip online or call us if you’d like some more advice. We’ll ask you what skip size you require, and whether there are any specialist waste materials that you need to dispose of.
We’ll provide you with the skip-hire price, and any additional fees you may face so that you don’t get any hidden surprises.
We’re also able to give time slots for delivery which ensures your skip hire is carried out at the most convenient time for you.
Once you have a filled skip, we’ll agree on a time to collect it. If you find that you need the skip for a little longer than expected originally, we’ll be more than happy to offer longer hire periods.
How Much Does Skip Hire Cost?
The overall cost of your hire will truly depend on the skip-hire company you choose. Skip prices typically depend on the experience and expertise of the skip provider, the hire period, how much waste you have and the skip size you are looking to hire.
REMONDIS typically strive to offer the best skip hire prices possible, alongside an outstanding service that exceeds customer satisfaction every time.
We’ll also be here to offer you all of the advice you need to hire the right size skip so you don’t end up paying more than you have to.
The price covers delivery and collection, as well as the proper disposal of your waste.
It’s important to remember that failing to comply with your local waste management legislation could put you at risk of fines of up to £50,000.
Do I Pay The Skip Hire Company Upon Delivery or Collection?
Most skip-hire companies will take payment either online, or over the phone at the same time as booking your skip.
Do I Need A Skip Hire Permit?
Whether or not you need a skip permit will depend on your local council’s guidance. Typically, if the skip is being placed on private land such as a driveway, you will not need a permit. However, if you’re placing the skip on council land such as on the street outside your home, for example, you will need to file for council permits and wait for the application to be approved.
Here at REMONDIS, we have all the knowledge and insurance policies needed to file for a skip permit. We will be able to give you all of the advice you require and will apply to your local council so that when your skip is delivered, we have all the paperwork needed.
Keep in mind that a skip permit can take several days to be approved, so be sure to remember this when it comes to your skip hire.
How Can I Protect My Driveway?
If your driveway is made of soft tarmac or block paving, you’ll want to protect it before your skip is delivered. Any damage can be easily avoided by putting down scaffolding planks, or large pieces of wood to rest the skip on.
Keep in mind that skip lorries are also very heavy, and when they remove your skip they will be even heavier. A skip lorry will use stabilisers when moving your skip, and this weight will exert significant pressure on the ground, potentially denting tarmac or breaking paving stones.
If you are concerned about damaging your drive, make sure to speak to us for further advice on how to protect it. If in doubt, the best option is always to remove the risk, obtain a skip permit, and place the skip on the street instead.
Can I Put A Skip On The Pavement Outside My House?
No, you must not block public walkways with a skip.
If you cannot place your skip on private land, you must apply for a skip permit to legally keep the skip on the street.
Are There Any Safety Requirements For Skip Hire?
There are a few rules when it comes to skip safety. These will likely depend on where you are in the UK, so it is best to check with your local council about what you need. For example, sometimes cones and flashing safety lights are required. If you are unsure, speak to us and we can advise on the rules in your area.
How Heavy Can I Fill A Skip?
For skip sizes up to an eight-yard skip and beyond, you can fill it with whatever waste you are looking to remove, except for hazardous and some other prohibited materials.
The capacity of a skip is measured in cubic yards, and one cubic yard will cover one metric tonne of inert waste (soil & stone). One metric tonne will typically equate to 340 house bricks. Less dense waste types such as black bag waste will, of course, weigh less.
How High Can I Fill A Skip?
Waste should not exceed the height of the skip walls. Overfilling a skip can make it dangerous for pedestrians and other road users during transportation and will inhibit your skip company from collecting the skip, which may also incur a wasted journey fee.
What Can And Can Not Be Put In A Skip?
There are a number of things that simply cannot be put in a skip, including:
- Asbestos,
- *Plasterboard,
- Gas bottles,
- Explosives,
- *Electrical equipment & electrical appliances including computer equipment such as screens and towers,
- Batteries,
- Medical waste,
- Oil,
- Other chemicals including bleach and detergents,
- Solvents including paints and glues,
- *Tyres,
- *Upholstery such as sofas, chairs, sofa beds, kitchen and dining room chairs, footstools, bean bags, and floor/sofa cushions,
- Paint tins (unless empty)
Items marked with an asterisk (*) can be placed in a skip, but only if pre-arranged with the skip provider and kept separate from all other waste.
Should you put these prohibited items in a skip anyway, your skip collection may be refused. You may also be fined.
Waste from garden clearances and construction projects can be put in a skip, including:
- Wood,
- Brick, concrete & rubble,
- Garden waste,
- Scrap metal,
- Paper,
- General dry waste.
Can I Mix Waste?
Yes, you can mix waste in a skip as long as it does not contain prohibited waste types.
Here at REMONDIS, we’ll remove your waste and take it to our Materials Recycling Facility to sort through it. Where we can, we’ll strive to recycle as much waste as possible.
We strongly believe in the conservation of natural resources, so when you choose to hire a skip with REMONDIS, you will have the peace of mind that the waste you have removed will have as little impact on the planet as possible. All waste we receive is processed to ensure the highest possible levels of recycling, recovery and processing into refuse-derived fuels (RDF).
