Choosing a Skip Size
- Fully Licensed Waste Carrier
- 7-Day a Week
- Wait & Load Specialists
- Mini Skips for Tight Access
Our Range of Skip Sizes
2 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Minor household de-cluttering
- Small-scale garden maintenance
- Small quantities of heavy inert waste
- Projects with extremely restricted site access
3 Cubic Yards Skip
Ideal for small-scale domestic tasks, including minor DIY renovations, small garden refreshments, and clearing out compact storage areas.
Why choose this skip
The 3 Yard Skip is an efficient, space-saving option for projects that generate more waste than a standard vehicle can accommodate but do not require the capacity of a traditional builder’s skip.
Perfect for
- Small bathroom or cloakroom refurbishments
- Disposal of heavy inert waste (soil, brick, or concrete)
- General household de-cluttering
- Minor landscaping and hedge removals
4 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Small DIY or decorating projects
- Garden tidy-ups (soil, turf, hedge trimmings)
- Clearing sheds, lofts, or garages
- Green waste disposal
6 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Full kitchen or large bathroom refits
- Excavated soil and hardcore (bricks, paving, concrete)
- Significant garden landscaping projects
- Clearing larger domestic spaces like double garages or lofts
8 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Large-scale construction and excavation work
- Full house clearances and multi-room renovations
- Large volumes of heavy inert waste (muck away)
- Commercial shop fit-outs or office strip-outs
10 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Full office or retail unit strip-outs
- Large-scale domestic de-cluttering (furniture and plastics)
- Lightweight construction timber and plasterboard disposal
- Extensive garden clearances involving large volumes of green waste
12 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Major retail and office refurbishments
- Large-scale shop fit-outs and strip-outs
- Disposal of large bulky items (sofas, desks, cabinets)
- Significant quantities of light construction waste (timber, plasterboard)
14 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Large-scale commercial and retail refurbishments
- Disposal of high-volume light waste (plastics, timber, cardboard)
- Full property clearances involving large amounts of furniture
- Industrial warehouse or office facility strip-outs
16 Cubic Yards Skip
Why choose this skip
Perfect for
- Major commercial strip-outs and facility decommissionings
- Large volumes of light construction materials (timber, plastics, insulation)
- Extensive office furniture and retail fixture disposal
- Extensive Managing large quantities of packaging waste or light industrial scrapclearances involving large volumes of green waste
Three Important Factors When Choosing a Skip Size
Location
Where the skip is being placed is one of the fundamental decisions when selecting a skip hire size.
All skip sizes are attached to arms with chains that load the skip backwards off a vehicle.
If a skip is being placed on private property, the skip hire size is dependent on the dimensions of the floor space available and access to the area by the skip lorry. Narrow driveways, walls, the distance to the area in question, floor surfaces, height restrictions, and overhanging trees will all impact procurement and delivery.
If a skip is being placed on a public highway, the largest skip permitted is an 8-yard skip. This is a council restriction to mitigate risk and ensure that large containers do not cause a hazard to other road users.
The skip vehicle is the predominant factor requiring consideration. All skips, regardless of size, are loaded onto two primary vehicle types:
| Vehicle Size | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Skip Lorry | 7m | 2.75m | 2.75m |
| Standard Skip Lorry | 7.9m | 3m | 3.43m |
To confirm if the required space is available for your selected skip size, please refer to Chart 1.1: Skip Hire Dimensions, which provides the exact physical specifications for each unit.
Waste Type
The core principle of waste type classification directly impacts your choice of skip size. Both the weight and volume of the materials being disposed of require careful consideration to ensure safe and compliant transit.
Our guidance on waste streams is straightforward: Heavy waste must be contained within skip sizes of 8 yards or less. Larger containers, such as 12-yard skips, are strictly intended for light, bulky waste to avoid exceeding vehicle weight limits.
Common heavy waste types restricted to a maximum skip size of 8 yards include:
| Concrete | Bricks | Sand |
| Muck | Breeze Blocks | Stones |
| Soil | Aggregates | Tree Stumps |
Hazardous waste types are strictly prohibited and cannot be placed in any skip, regardless of size.
The Volume of Waste
Accurately assessing the volume of waste is a crucial factor in independent procurement. We recognize that estimating capacity can be challenging when managing materials across multiple locations or varying stockpiles.
To assist in your decision-making, our team utilises familiar automotive benchmarks to illustrate the carrying potential of each unit:
- 4-Yard Skip: Approximately the footprint of a small hatchback (e.g., a Mini).
- 6 & 8-Yard Skips: Comparable to a standard saloon or family car; the 8-yard variant features higher sides for increased capacity.
- 12-Yard Skip: Equivalent to the volume of a large transit van.
From a cost-management perspective, skip hire rates decrease incrementally by volume, as transport remains the primary cost driver. To ensure cost-efficiency and mitigate the risk of overspending, we recommend selecting a slightly larger unit where possible; the procurement of two smaller skips will invariably exceed the cost of a single, larger container.
Our team has managed thousands of waste requirements. If you require unbiased advice regarding the correct specification for your project, please contact us on
01753 673119 or via email at blackmanskips@yahoo.co.uk.
Committed to Sustainability
With our focused range of skips, straightforward booking process, and commitment to environmental responsibility, we make skip hire simple and sustainable.
Skip Permit Process Simplified
When hiring a skip that needs to be placed on a public road, acquiring a skip permit from your local council is essential. We take care of this process for you, ensuring that all necessary permits are obtained on your behalf.
Permit costs vary depending on the local authority and are charged in addition to your skip hire. Simply provide the details when booking online, or give our team a call and we’ll take care of the rest.
Book your skip online today or contact our team for advice on permits, sizing, and availability.
Hire your Skip and get started today
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01753 673119
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