Skip hire means renting an open container that's delivered to your property, filled by you, then collected and emptied by the skip company. The price usually covers delivery, the hire period, collection and disposal. A skip on your driveway needs no permit; a skip on the road or pavement needs one from the council, which the skip firm normally arranges.
How skip hire works
- Choose the sizeMatch the skip to how much waste you have and how heavy it is. Our skip size guide helps you choose.
- Decide where it goesOn your own land it needs no permit. On a road, pavement or verge, the skip firm applies to the council for a permit before delivery.
- Book and declare your wasteTell the supplier what's going in, especially soil, rubble, plasterboard, mattresses, sofas or electricals, as these affect the price.
- DeliveryThe lorry lowers the skip into place, so it needs clear access and firm ground.
- Fill it levelLoad up to the fill line, level with the sides. An overfilled skip can be refused at collection.
- Collection and disposalThe skip firm takes it away, sorts and disposes of the waste, and should give you a waste transfer note.
Skip hire prices
Typical prices including delivery, collection and disposal. These ranges are compiled from published cost guides and skip firms' own price lists. London and the South East sit at the top of each range.
| Skip | Typical price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini skip (2–3 yd) | about £100–£220 | Small clear-outs, garden waste, a bathroom strip-out |
| Midi skip (4 yd) | about £160–£280 | Kitchen or bathroom refits, medium clear-outs |
| 6 yard skip | about £200–£340 | Heavy waste such as soil and rubble, smaller renovations |
| 8 yard builder's skip | about £250–£450 | Renovations and mixed building waste |
| 12 yard maxi skip | about £350–£550 | Bulky, lighter waste such as house clearances |
Not sure which size you need? Heavy waste such as soil and rubble limits how full a larger skip can be filled. Our skip sizes guide has dimensions, bin bag equivalents and a size calculator.
You pay for one delivery and one collection instead of two, so a single larger skip is normally cheaper than two smaller ones, as long as your waste isn't too heavy for it.
Extra charges to ask about
Council permit If on the road
Set by each council and usually added to your price by the skip firm.
Extra hire time
Usually charged by the week once the included period ends.
Restricted items Surcharge
Mattresses, fridges, tyres and plasterboard often cost extra. Sofas and upholstered chairs must go separately in England.
Overloading Refusal
Overfilled or overweight skips can be charged extra or refused at collection.
Same-day or wait-and-load
Faster or specialist services can carry a premium. See wait and load skip hire.
How long can you hire a skip for?
For a quick job, wait and load means the lorry waits while you fill the skip, then takes it straight away. If the skip is on the road, check how long the council permit lasts too, as a longer hire may need a renewal.
Skip hire for sites and businesses
On a building site or at business premises, skips are usually run on an exchange, with a full skip swapped for an empty one, and larger jobs often use roll-on roll-off containers. Businesses also have extra legal duties for their waste. See our guide to commercial skip hire.
Do you need a skip permit?
Only if the skip goes on a public road, pavement or verge. The skip company normally applies to the council and adds the fee to your price; fees vary by council, from £44 for up to 7 days in Manchester to £155 for up to 14 days in Waltham Forest. A skip on your own driveway or land doesn't need one. For how to get a permit, how long it takes, the lighting and marking rules and the fines, see our skip permits guide.
What can't go in a skip?
Hazardous waste such as asbestos, paint, chemicals and gas bottles can't go in. In England, sofas and upholstered chairs must go separately, and plasterboard must be kept apart from general waste. Electricals, fridges, tyres and mattresses are usually refused or charged extra. See the full list in our guide to what can go in a skip.
Check your skip company is registered
Whoever produces the waste has a legal duty of care to give it only to an authorised carrier. A skip firm needs an upper tier waste carrier registration in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or a SEPA registration in Scotland. In England, householders can be fined up to £600 if they fail in this duty and their waste is fly-tipped. Every supplier marked Verified on this site has had their registration checked against the official register.
Questions to ask a skip hire company
- What does the price include: delivery, collection, disposal, VAT, and the permit if needed?
- How long is the hire period, and what does an extra week cost?
- What's the weight limit, and how full can I fill it with soil or rubble?
- Which items carry a surcharge or aren't allowed?
- Can your lorry reach where I want the skip?
- What's your waste carrier registration number?
- Will you give me a waste transfer note?
Prices in this guide are typical ranges from suppliers' published price lists and cost guides. They change and vary by area, so always confirm the price with the supplier before you book. Rules, fees and tax rates are checked against official sources.