If you’re wondering when to hire a skip, you are not alone. Whether you’re undergoing a domestic renovation, moving home or clearing a commercial or building site, skips can be a convenient way to easily dispose of your waste. However, many of us are still unclear about the ins and outs of skip hire, such as when to hire a skip and what size skip to get. So, if you’ve never hired a skip before, here are four key questions to consider.
How Much Waste Can Fit In A Skip?
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding when to hire a skip is how much waste you actually have and whether a skip is necessary and, if it is, what size is most suitable. For example, if you have a large bulk or quantity of waste to dispose of, it is likely best to invest in a skip hire since taking this to the tip is often not an option.
Most typically, if you are renovating a home, revamping your outdoor space or decluttering before a big move, you will incur masses of waste which need to be disposed of ethically and responsibly. Fortunately, skips can come in an array of sizes, meaning there will always be one suitable for your rubbish without falling short of space or paying excessive costs.
What Can Go In A Skip?
The nature of your waste will also determine whether or not you should hire a skip. In fact, many people forget that there are plenty of items prohibited from skips, so if you’re looking to get rid of these then you’re out of luck!
For example, the following items cannot be disposed of in a skip:
- Electrical equipment and appliances
- Large batteries
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Gas Cylinders
- Medical Waste
- Plasterboard
- Asbestos
- Tyres
- Fuel and Paint
- Other Hazardous Waste
How Long Can I Hire A Skip For?
Skips can be hired for flexible periods of time, just as long as you are dealing with the right skip hire company. Skips can be hired from as little as a day to as long as an entire renovation to ensure that throughout your project, you are always equipped with somewhere to dispose of your waste.
One main tip to remember is to be transparent about this period with the company in order to avoid incurring extra hire charges and fees for late return. What’s more, having your skip collected prematurely might mean you fail to fill the skip in time, making it less valuable and leaving you without anywhere to put waste created after the skip is collected – a nightmare!
So, whether you want to hire a skip for a day or a few months, be sure to discuss the terms and costs involved clearly with your skip provider before hiring the skip, as these can inflate if agreed later, costing you a small fortune at the end of a job!
Often, local skip hire companies may even empty and return your skip so that it can be used for a long period of time and for large quantities of waste but take up a small amount of your outdoor space. Every client is different and a reputable waste management company will adapt to meet your specific requests and needs.
It is also a good idea to negotiate better prices and discounts for those that are looking for long-term skip hires.
Where Should I Put My Skip?
It is also important to consider whether you have space to use a skip. Most often, skips are positioned in the outdoor space surrounding your property, so in front gardens, your personal driveway or on the public road. Whilst you are legally entitled to put a skip on any private property belonging to you, it is important to remember that the same is not true of public property, and that you need to be considerate and prepared when parking a skip on the roadside.
In particular, you should consider the following:
- Whether passers by might deposit prohibited waste in your skip
- Whether the skip poses a health and safety hazard to anybody nearby
- Ensure you do not block access for other residents and leave them at a detriment
- Ensure it is accessible for the company that drops it off and collects it.
This is also important to consider when choosing the right size skip for you, as some will be a better fit for your drive and property than others.
Skip hire can be complicated, but if you’re looking for a reputable company to assess your needs and take care of all of that for you, or if you’re looking for a more definitive and detailed list of what can and cannot be disposed of in a skip, contact us!
Feature image credit: Charlie Goodall / Shutterstock