How Does Skip Hire Work - A Guide

Getting rid of unwanted waste and rubbish can be a messy and frustrating process at the best of times. But instead of making multiple trips to the local tip, have you thought about hiring a skip instead? It’s not as difficult as you may think and it could save you both time and money.

If you’re considering this option and wondering how does skip hire work, we have put together this handy guide to hiring a skip, to take the pain out of your waste removal, whether it’s commercial or domestic waste.

6 great reasons to hire a skip

There are many reasons why you might find yourself deciding to hire a skip, whether you are undertaking a weekend garden or house clearance or a weeks’ long building project. Here are our top 6:

You will save time on multiple trips to the tip
You will save money on fuel that those trips would cost you
You won’t have to worry about whether you have a vehicle large enough to take all the waste
You won’t have to clean out the interior of your car afterwards (or pay someone to do it)
All your waste collection requirements will be taken care of in one easy booking
All your waste will be sorted and recycled correctly

How much does it cost to hire a skip?

Probably less than you think.

If you have a large amount of waste to get rid of, then hiring a skip can be more cost effective than other methods of waste removal. Unless you have a large vehicle you will likely have to make multiple trips to the tip to get rid of it all. And even if you can fit it all in your car, trips to the the dump, or Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) as they are now known, are costly both in terms of your personal time, fuel and in having to clean up the interior afterwards.

Prices for skip hire vary depending on the size of skip that you need, your location and any permits and additional safety measures that may be required if it is to be sited on a public highway.

Rabbit Skip Hire starts from £119 + VAT and you will be given a quote based on your requirements, including where the skip is to be sited.

Hiring a skip has never been easier

How does skip hire work? Just follow these simple steps and rest easy in knowing that your skip will be delivered to you in no time at all:

1. ASSESS THE TYPE OF WASTE YOU HAVE

The type of waste you’re likely to have is an important consideration before you hire a skip - check which size skip is suitable for which types of waste. If incorrect waste is placed in your skip, then we refuse the right not to collect it until the unsuitable waste has been removed.

If you're looking to dispose of only wood waste, Rabbit Skip Hire now offers a dedicated skip service tailored to your needs. We've expanded our offerings to include various sizes, ensuring there's a perfect fit for any volume of wood waste. Dive deeper into this eco-friendly initiative and explore all the available options on our wood waste skip hire page.

2. ESTIMATE HOW MUCH WASTE THERE WILL BE

This will help you to work out the size of skip that you need. Check out our skip sizes to see which would be best for your project. Skips must not be overloaded as this makes them dangerous to transport on the road.

3. PLAN WHERE YOUR SKIP WILL BE LOCATED

You will need a suitable location for your skip. The surface must be sturdy, stable and able to take the weight of a fully-loaded skip as well as the skip lorry. We cannot be held responsible for any damage caused due to the weight of the vehicle.

It should also not block any access for pedestrians and traffic, and be easily accessible for unloading and loading.

If the skip is going to be located on a public road, then you’ll also need to gain the necessary permits and take necessary safety precautions.

4. GO ONLINE AND BOOK YOUR SKIP

Using our online booking form you can ensure your skip is delivered to your site at a time that is convenient for you and collected again once it is full or you have completed your project.
Skips hire costs start from £119 plus VAT, with prices varying with size and location.

5. TAKE DELIVERY OF YOUR SKIP

You don’t have to be there when we deliver your skip (as long as we have access to the designated area), but again remember to ensure the site is ready and suitable before we arrive. These include that you have permission to have the skip placed in the planned location, that the area is stable, sturdy and clear of debris and there is sufficient space around it.

6. LOAD THE SKIP

When loading your skip it is important to remember to do so carefully to avoid injury. Never overload the skip and only ever place waste that is suitable in your skip.

7. HAVE YOUR SKIP COLLECTED

Once you have finished loading your skip, please contact our office regarding collection on 01903 762020.

Your skip will then usually be collected within 10 working days, although, unfortunately we cannot 100% guarantee this, as it is subject to access and operational issues.

If you need to extend the skip hire period or replace a full skip with another one, please contact a member of our team as soon as possible to make arrangements.

Important considerations when hiring a skip

A skip is very heavy even when it is empty and especially so when it is fully loaded. You must therefore be certain that the ground you have available for it to be placed on is stable and sturdy (and that you have the right permission to put it there). We cannot be held responsible for any damage caused due to the weight of the vehicle, so it’s vital you check that the ground is suitable for both a fully loaded skip and the skip lorry. Other safety considerations when using and hiring a skip include the following:

Only ever load your skip so that it is level with the sides, or less – never overfill it - this creates the risk of objects falling and causing injury
Try to ensure larger and heavier items are evenly spread at the bottom of the skip, with lighter items at the top
Make sure there is adequate space around the skip for you to load it safely
Get help when lifting heavy items into the skip to avoid injury
Only place suitable items of waste in your skip - certain hazardous items can be illegal to dispose of in this way
Never attempt to move the skip once it has been placed onsite