What is a 6 yard skip?
A 6 yard skip holds six cubic yards of waste. It is typically about 8.5 to 10 ft long, 4 to 5 ft wide and 4 ft high, so it needs roughly the footprint of one car plus room for the lorry to lower it. Some suppliers call it a small builders skip.
Can you fill a 6 yard skip with soil and rubble?
Yes. Most skip firms say this is the largest size you can fill with dense material. As a rule of thumb a cubic yard of soil or rubble weighs about a tonne or more, and a standard skip lorry can typically lift about 8 tonnes, skip included. Above this size the weight limit is reached before the skip is full: some firms allow heavy waste in an 8 yard skip only within the weight limit, and a 12 yard is for light waste only.
What a 6 yard skip suits
- Kitchen or bathroom refits with tiles and rubble
- Small extensions, conversions and building work
- Garden landscaping with soil, turf and paving
- Clearing several rooms, including furniture
- Mixed loads of heavy and bulky waste
Space and access
Check the approach for overhanging branches, gateposts, low cables and parked cars. If the lorry cannot get close enough to place the skip, many suppliers charge for the wasted journey, so confirm access with them when you enquire.
Permits
No permit is needed on your own driveway or private land. On a public road or verge a council permit is required, normally arranged by the skip company. See our skip permit guide.
The fill line
Load the skip level with its sides and no higher. An overloaded skip cannot be legally carried, and the driver can refuse to collect it until the excess is removed. Some items cannot go in any skip at all, so check what can and cannot go in a skip before you start loading.
Other sizes
For a smaller heavy load, a 4 yard skip costs less. For bulky, lighter waste, an 8 yard skip gives you a third more room. Not sure? See our guide to skip sizes.
Finding a 6 yard skip near you
Search by your site postcode to see local suppliers who deliver 6 yard skips to your area, with their from prices and the checks we have made on their waste registration. You contact the supplier directly and agree the price, hire period and any permit costs with them. There is no booking fee.