How to Estimate the Right Skip Size for Your Project

Hiring the right size skip for your project lets you enjoy convenient waste disposal without spending more than you need to.

However, the amount of waste your project will produce is often tough to estimate, especially if you’re in the construction industry. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you decide what size skip is most suitable.

Common skip sizes

Skips typically range from 2-yard mini skips for small domestic clear-outs to 40-yard roll-on roll-off bins for massive industrial works. At Hazell & Jefferies Ltd, we carry a wide range of common skip hire sizes to suit any project.

Standard skips

4 cubic yard skip

Dimensions: 6ft x 4.3ft x 3.2ft

Capacity: Around 40-50 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 4 tonnes

Project size: Small- to medium- size home projects

Used for: Small home renovations, larger garden clear-outs

6 cubic yard skip

Dimensions: 8.5ft x 5ft x 4ft

Capacity: Around 50-60 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 6 tonnes

Project size: Larger home projects

Used for: Loft conversions, small construction projects

8 cubic yard skip

Dimensions: 12ft x 5.5ft x 4ft

Capacity: Around 60-80 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 8 tonnes

Project size: Extensive home renovations

Used for: Full home clear-outs, large garden projects, general business or industrial waste, small-scale construction debris

12 cubic yard skip

Dimensions: 12ft x 5.5ft x 5.5ft

Capacity: Around 100-120 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 8 tonnes

Project size: Small-scale industrial projects

Used for: Major home renovations, large waste disposal, commercial facility clear-outs

Roll-on roll-off bins

20 cubic yard roll-on roll-off bin

Dimensions: 20ft x 8ft x 4ft

Capacity: Around 200-220 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 15 tonnes

Project size: Large-scale industrial projects

Used for: Demolition projects, large-scale construction waste

40 cubic yard roll-on roll-off bin

Dimensions: 20ft x 8ft x 8ft

Capacity: Around 400-440 black bin bags of waste

Weight limit: 15 tonnes

Project size: Significant commercial projects

Used for: Large-scale demolition projects, major industrial waste disposal, extensive construction waste

5 things to consider when choosing skip size

While the size and capacity of different skip size options is useful for estimating your needs, there are a lot of other things to consider when hiring a skip.

To get a better idea of the right skip size for your project, start by asking these 5 questions.

How big is your project?

This is the most significant factor in choosing the right size skip – and the easiest to estimate.

If you’re clearing out a single room in your home, it’s unlikely you’ll need anything larger than a 4-yard skip, unless you’re also disposing of furniture.

On the other hand, if you’re managing a large-scale commercial construction project, you’ll probably need a roll-on roll-off bin to accommodate all your waste.

How much waste will your project produce?

This is similar to considering the size and scope of your project. But it’s more about the types of waste you expect to produce.

It’s easy to fit small home goods into a few bin bags, and therefore a smaller skip. But if your residential skip hire needs involve removing furniture like a sofa or a wardrobe, the dimensions of your skip must be suitable.

This can be much tougher for landscaping or demolition projects. When your waste is underground or part of an efficiently designed geometric structure, it’s difficult to visualise how much you’ll generate. That said, you can still make a good estimate based on the skip size information given above.

Remember that when it comes to estimating your volume of waste, it’s always better to overestimate than underestimate. So if you’re not sure what size you need, take your best guess and then request the next size up.

Where will you put your skip?

The larger your project, the more skip space you’ll need to dispose of all your waste. But it’s not always convenient to have a large skip on site. And there are certain limits on where you can put a skip.

If you plan to keep your skip on your own private land, or you have permission from the owner, you can put it wherever you like. That’s fine if you have acres of space. But if all you have is a small driveway, you’ll need to hire a skip that fits.

Alternatively, you can apply for a skip hire permit to keep your skip on a public street. Be aware that the largest skip size that can be placed on a public street is 8 cubic yards. Using a larger skip, or violating any other skip hire rules and regulations, could result in a fine of up to £1,000!

If you don’t have the space for a large skip, you might consider hiring a second smaller skip to manage your waste. Or you could extend the duration of your project to allow enough time for multiple collections and disposals.

What types of waste will you produce?

The size of your waste isn’t the only factor that affects what size skip you need. Heavy materials like bricks or soil are also better suited to certain sizes of skip.

The important thing here is the weight limit of your skip. An 8-yard skip can hold up to 8 tonnes of waste material. But a 40 cubic yard roll-on roll-off bin can only hold 15 tonnes.

One cubic yard of topsoil weighs about one tonne. So if you need to clear out 16 cubic yards (that is, 16 tonnes) of topsoil, it’s more efficient and affordable to hire two 8-yard skips.

Remember that if you overload a skip, your skip hire company may be unable to remove it. You may need to pay a fine and remove excess waste, which could seriously disrupt your project.

How long will your project last?

Most quick projects only require one small skip. But any project that goes on for several weeks or more will probably produce more waste.

One option is to hire a larger skip and extend your permit if you expect to reach your limit. But not all projects can be finished in one go.

If you’re waiting for other services or can only work at certain times, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to hire a small skip multiple times. That way, you can complete your project with less time pressure while also giving up less space to skip footage.

Tips for optimising skip space

Larger skips are more expensive to hire and more difficult to store.

You can save money and hassle not only by accurately estimating your skip size requirements, but also filling up your skip correctly.

To fit more waste into a smaller skip, you can:

• Create a solid base: Start by putting flat and heavy items at the bottom of your skip. Then layer lighter, more malleable waste on top. This not only lets you dispose of more waste, but also ensures the skip is well balanced to avoid safety risks.
• Break down bulky items: Where possible, break down large or bulky items before putting them in your skip. This could involve dismantling furniture, flattening boxes or cutting up wood.
• Pack items tightly: Don’t just toss items into your skip and hope for the best. As you fill it up, regularly press your waste down to squeeze out any gaps.
• Fill gaps with smaller items: If gaps remain even after compression the contents, fill them in with smaller items to ensure no space is wasted. This also helps keep the contents stable, making it less likely that the load will shift during transportation.
• Recycle where possible: You can often recycle glass, plastic and metal waste at home rather than putting it in your skip, leaving more space for other materials. If you have too much waste for this to be possible, don’t worry. When we collect your skip, we take it to our Oxfordshire recycling centre to keep your project as green as possible!
• Avoid overfilling: Trying to cram too much into your skip can be a safety hazard, and may lead to additional charges from your skip hire company. Make sure the contents of your skip don’t exceed the height of the sides to avoid overloading your skip.
• Remove prohibited items: Certain items, such as hazardous materials, can’t be put into a skip. Instead, you need to dispose of them separately in compliance with local regulations. Figuring out what can’t be put in a skip well in advance not only helps you avoid fines, but also ensures you have maximum space for acceptable items.

Your perfect skip is waiting for you!

When it comes to convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly skip hire, domestic and industrial clients alike rely on Hazell & Jefferies Ltd.

From 4-yard mini skips to 40-yard roll-on roll-off bins, we offer local skip hire in Oxford, Reading, Abingdon, Didcot and the surrounding areas. We even apply for your skip hire permit as part of your hire package to make things as easy as possible. And when your skip is full, we collect it from your site and take it to our Oxfordshire recycling centre for sorting.

Book skip hire online now in less than 5 minutes, or call our team on 0118 984 2684 for more information on skip sizes and pricing.