What is an 8 yard skip?
An 8 yard skip holds eight cubic yards of waste (about 6.1 m³). It is typically about 10.5 to 12 ft (3.2 to 3.7 m) long, 6 ft (1.8 m) wide and 4 to 4.5 ft (1.2 to 1.4 m) high: the open-topped steel skip most people picture on a driveway or outside a house being renovated. Exact sizes vary between manufacturers.
How much does an 8 yard skip cost?
2026 UK cost guides put an 8 yard skip at about £180 to £370, including delivery, collection and disposal for a standard hire period, with a typical price of about £265. London costs more: one guide puts the London average at £320, and another says London and the South East run 20 to 40% above the national average. A council permit is extra if the skip goes on the road.
| Published cost guide | 8 yard skip price |
|---|---|
| Home improvement cost guide (April 2026) | £180–£350, typical £265; London average £320 |
| Quote comparison site (September 2026) | £160–£370 |
| Trade cost guide (June 2026) | £200–£350, excluding VAT |
Prices vary by area, supplier, hire length and waste type. Check whether a quote includes VAT and how long the hire period is. See skip hire prices for every size.
Is a builders skip the same as an 8 yard skip?
Usually, yes. Builders skip is the common trade name for the 8 yard size, because it is the standard container on domestic building and renovation jobs. Some suppliers also call their 6 yard a small builders skip, so check the capacity in cubic yards on the listing.
How much heavy waste can go in an 8 yard skip?
Less than it looks. A cubic yard of soil, rubble or concrete weighs about a tonne or more, so a full 8 yard skip of it would weigh more than a standard skip lorry can typically lift, which is about 8 tonnes. Most skip firms say a 6 yard skip is the largest you can fill with heavy waste. Some accept heavy waste in an 8 yard up to the weight limit, with lighter waste on top, so confirm the supplier's limit when you enquire.
What an 8 yard skip suits
- Major kitchen and bathroom renovations
- House and garage clearances
- Mixed building waste from extensions
- Shop and office refits
- Large garden clearances with fencing or a shed
Permits and placement
On a public road an 8 yard skip needs a council permit, normally arranged by the skip company. Councils set their own size limits for road skips, usually a maximum length and width, and some cap them at 8 yards. On your own driveway or private land, no permit is needed. 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.
Heavier or bulkier loads
For heavier loads, a 6 yard skip. For bulky, light waste, a 12 yard skip. Not sure? See our guide to skip sizes.
Finding an 8 yard skip near you
Search by your site postcode to see local suppliers who deliver 8 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.