How to Choose the Right Skip Size for Your Project
I’ve been in the waste management business for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that choosing the right skip size can make or break your project. Whether you’re clearing out your garage on a Sunday afternoon or managing a full commercial renovation, getting this decision right saves both time and money.
Here at Skip Hire Team, we’ve supplied skips to thousands of customers across the country. From that experience, I wanted to share some practical advice on selecting the right skip for whatever job you’ve got on your hands.
Why Getting the Right Skip Size Matters
When I first started in this industry, I saw so many customers either struggling with an overflowing skip that was too small or paying through the nose for space they never used. Getting the size right means:
- You’ll save money by not paying for unused space
- You won’t face the frustration (and cost) of needing a second skip (skip exchange vs multiple skips – what’s cost-effective?)
- You’ll avoid those nasty overfilling fines or rejected collections (maximize your skip space for smart filling)
- You can organize your waste more efficiently, which is better for the environment too
Our Skip Size Range - What You Need to Know
1. 4-Yard Skip Hire
This is our smallest option, perfect for those weekend clear-outs. It holds about 30-40 bin bags and measures roughly 1.29m high, 1.83m long, and 1.29m wide.
Last month, Sarah from Birmingham hired one of these to clear out her garden shed and said it was “just right for the job – not too big for my driveway but big enough for all the garden waste.”
Best suited for:
- Clearing out a small garden (can you put garden waste in a skip?)
- Bathroom renovations
- Getting rid of that pile of junk in your garage
Benefits
- Compact and easy to place on small driveways
- Ideal for household DIY or garden work
- Quick and cost-effective solution for light domestic waste
The best thing about our 4-yarders is they’ll fit on most driveways, so you won’t need a permit, and they’re the most affordable option if you’re watching the budget.
2. 6-Yard Skip Hire
This is what we call the “builder’s favorite” – it’s our most popular size and for good reason. It holds about 50-60 bin bags and measures approximately 1.2m high, 2.6m long, and 1.52m wide.
I remember Dave, a local builder who’s been using our services for years, telling me: “I always go for the 6-yard. It’s big enough for most kitchen refits but doesn’t break the bank.”
Perfect for:
- Kitchen renovations
- Medium-sized garden landscaping
- House clearances
- Smaller building projects
Benefits:
- Commonly known as the “builder’s skip”
- Suitable for heavy materials like hardcore or rubble
- Popular choice for both domestic and commercial users
The 6-yard skip strikes that sweet spot between capacity and cost, which is why it’s the go-to choice for both homeowners and small contractors.
3. 8-Yard Skip Hire
Now we’re getting serious. The 8-yard skip can handle about 60-80 bin bags and measures approximately 1.22m high, 3.66m long, and 1.68m wide.
One of our commercial clients, Mark from MM Construction, uses these for most of his renovation projects. In his words: “It’s versatile enough to handle mixed waste from a full house refurb, which saves us ordering different skips for different materials.”
Ideal for:
- Complete room renovations
- Office clear-outs (how to dispose of business waste correctly)
- Larger landscaping projects
- Building waste from extensions (skip capacity: weight vs volume explained)
Benefits:
- Very versatile: good for both bulky and dense waste
- Often used in construction and renovation projects
- Can be placed on a road with a permit if space allows
This size offers great versatility – it can handle bulky items but isn’t so large that it becomes difficult to place.
4. 10-Yard Skip Hire
The 10-yard skip is where we start moving into the realm of larger projects. It holds approximately 80-100 bin bags and measures about 1.5m high, 3.74m long, and 1.78m wide.
Just last week, Emma hired one for clearing out her parents’ house after they downsized. She told me: “I was worried it might be too big, but with all the furniture and decades of accumulated stuff, it was actually perfect.”
Works best for:
- Full house clearances
- Larger home renovations
- Bulky waste like furniture or garden equipment
- Commercial refits
Benefits:
- Great for lighter, bulkier waste like wood, metal, or furniture
- Not ideal for heavy debris like soil due to weight restrictions
- Excellent middle ground for larger domestic jobs
The 10-yarder is particularly good for lighter, bulkier waste. Just keep in mind that weight restrictions mean it’s not ideal for heavy materials like soil or concrete.
5. 12-Yard Skip Hire
Our 12-yard skip is a beast, holding around 100-120 bin bags and measuring approximately 1.68m high, 3.74m long, and 1.78m wide.
James, who runs a local retail business, uses these whenever he’s refitting one of his shops: “All the old shelving, display units, and packaging waste fills it up just right, and it’s much more cost-effective than multiple smaller skips.”
Best for:
- Retail shop refurbishments
- Full house clearances with lots of furniture
- Large office relocations
- High-volume, low-weight waste
Benefits:
- One of the most economical options for volume
- Ideal for lighter waste types like cardboard, plastics, wood
- Not recommended for heavy construction materials
This size offers fantastic value if you’ve got lots of bulky, lightweight materials. Just remember it’s not suitable for heavy construction waste due to weight limits.
6. Roll On Roll Off Skip
These are the heavyweight champions of the skip world. They’re massive units designed for serious commercial operations.
We recently supplied a 40-yarder to a factory that was relocating. Their operations manager commented: “Having that capacity on-site meant we could clear the premises in one go without interrupting our shutdown schedule.”
Typically used for:
- Factory clearances
- Demolition projects
- Major construction sites
- Large commercial operations
Benefits:
- Ultimate solution for bulk waste and high-volume clearances
- Suitable for long-term or ongoing projects
- Highly efficient for logistics, saving multiple trips
These aren’t your typical residential skips – they’re specialist equipment for big projects, usually hired on a commercial basis.
Tips for Choosing the Right Skip
After years in this business, I’ve developed a few rules of thumb that might help you:
- Always consider what you’re throwing away – What can and can’t go in a skip? Heavy materials like concrete or soil? Go smaller because of weight restrictions. Bulky but light items like old furniture? A larger skip works better.
- Estimate your waste then go one size up – In all my years, I’ve rarely met someone who had less waste than they expected! If you’re on the fence, the larger option usually works out cheaper than hiring a second skip.
- Check your access – Last year, we had a customer who ordered our largest skip only to find it wouldn’t fit down their narrow lane. We sorted them out, but measuring your access beforehand saves hassle.
- Consider timing – If your project will generate waste gradually, ask about our wait-and-load service where we wait while you fill the skip. For longer projects, a series of smaller skips might work better than one large one.
Need Help? Speak to Our Team
I’ve been helping people choose the right skip size for years, and I’m happy to do the same for you. Our team at Medway Skip Hire Team is just a phone call away, ready to offer advice based on your specific project.
We offer same-day or next-day delivery across the UK, and we’ll always give you honest advice about what size will work best for your needs. After all, we want you to come back to us for your next project!
Call us now at 0800 260 5989 or book online. Let’s take the hassle out of your waste removal—one skip at a time.
