Thinking about hiring a skip, but not really sure how it all works? Not to worry, because this blog explains everything you need to know about skip hire.
Whether you’re looking for skip hire in Bolton, skip hire in Chorley, or skip hire anywhere else in the UK, the process is pretty much the same wherever you go.
Let’s break things down into five simple skip hire steps to help you understand how to hire a skip.
1) Select your skip size
Before hiring a skip, you’ll have to figure out which size you need. Skips are large containers that come in a variety of cubic yards. If you choose one that’s too small, you may need to hire another, and if you choose one that’s too large, you’ll be paying extra for space you won’t use.
Here are the most common sizes to choose from for domestic skip hire in Bolton and across the UK:
- 2 yard mini skip – fits up to 20-30 bin bags or 4 wheelie bins of rubbish
- 4 yard midi skip – fits up to 40-50 bin bags or 8 wheelie bins of waste
- 8 yard maxi skip – fits up to 80-90 bin bags or 16 wheelie bins of junk
For small DIY projects or clear-outs, a 2 or 4-yard skip should be sufficient. If you’re cleaning out a whole house, or doing a big refurbishment, you’re more likely to need an 8-yard builder’s skip. Bear in mind that 8 yards is the biggest size that can go on a public road or solely contain soil or hardcore.
2) Book your skip
Once you know which skip you need and when you want it to arrive, you can contact your chosen provider for skip hire in Chorley or your local area. Simply give them a call, specify the skip size and delivery details, and they’ll give you a quote for the hire period. If you go ahead with the booking, they’ll take payment and confirm the delivery date and address.
It’s best to book in advance if you intend to place the skip on a public road, because the skip hire company will need to get a permit from the council, which can take a few days. Otherwise, you may be able to receive your skip within 24-48 hours. You can also book a few weeks ahead if you know that you’ll need the skip on a certain date further in the future.
3) Prepare for skip delivery
When your skip delivery is locked in, you must make sure that the area is ready for the delivery on your chosen date. This means no obstacles to prevent the delivery truck from accessing your address, from parked cars or gates to overhanging wires or tree branches. Make sure that all children and pets are safely out of the way during the delivery slot.
You’ll also need an accessible space big enough for the skip, which should be an area of flat, solid, and even ground. The skip placement mustn’t block utility points, entrances, or exits, or be within 15 metres of a junction. If it’s on a public road, there must also be safety measures such as cones, reflective paint, and lamps to prevent any accidents or injuries.
4) Fill your skip safely
Whether you’re using skip hire in Leyland or skip hire in Horwich, the regulations for what can and can’t go in a skip are the same throughout the country. Skips usually have a fill line painted around the inside, which should guide you on where you can fill the skip up to. The waste that you put in the skip should be level-loaded, and never go above the edges of the skip.
Here are the types of waste that you can generally dispose of in a skip:
- Wood
- Plastic
- Metal
- Sand
- Soil
- Plants
- Bricks
- Concrete
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Fabric
However, these are some of the things that you must never put into a skip:
- Liquids
- Fuels
- Chemicals
- Batteries
- Electrical appliances
- Light bulbs
- Tyres
- Plasterboard
- Broken glass
- Aerosols
- Gas canisters
- Food or medicinal waste
- Mattresses
Load your skip responsibly, don’t overfill it, and leave out any hazardous waste. If you don’t follow these rules, the skip provider may refuse to collect the waste, or charge an extra fee.
5) Call for skip collection
The final step in skip hire is to arrange a collection when you’re finished with the skip. You might have already set a collection date at the time of booking, or you might have to call up to notify the company that your skip is ready for collection when you’re done filling it.
Most skip companies, from skip hire in Wigan to skip hire in Preston, will have a set hire period for their skips. This could be anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks, and will be agreed upon when you arrange the booking. You may need to call to request a hire extension and make another payment if your project runs on for longer than expected and you still haven’t filled the skip.
The skip provider should come as soon as possible to collect the skip and take your waste away for you – this is usually within 24-48 hours. They’ll transport the contents of your skip to a waste sorting facility, where they’ll recycle as much of it as possible. Since the waste is carefully sorted, they’ll find out if you tried to hide prohibited items in your skip!
So, there you have it. Now you know exactly what to expect from skip hire, you can go ahead and book a skip without worrying about the process. Make the most of the skip hire services in your area to save yourself some time and money on waste management.
