Posted: 14th January 2021
UK Skip Size Guide
Skips come in all shapes and sizes, so there is definitely one out there for you, but with a large amount of choice out there it is easy to get it wrong. In the UK skips range from 2 cubic yards all the way up to 40 cubic yards to dispose of all types and amounts of waste. With our quick and easy to follow skip size guide, you will be able to choose a skip size that best suits your needs.
Skips come in a wide range of sizes from small to very large. The larger skip sizes offer better value providing you have enough waste to fill it completely.
To help you choose the right size skip, our easy guide explains the uses for all the different skip sizes available (including dimensions), the types of projects best suited to each, and the restrictions that apply to larger skip sizes.
Skip sizes are typically referred to by their internal volume in "cubic yards", which is often abbreviated to "yards".
One cubic yard measures 3 feet high x 3 feet wide x 3 feet deep (91cm x 91cm x 91cm) and roughly takes up the same amount of space as ten bin bags or two large kitchen appliances.
The 6 and 8 yard builders skips are the most popular skips in the UK because of their wide range of applications for all different types of waste.
2 Yard Skip
The 2-yard skip is the smallest and cheapest skip available in the UK. Often called a mini skip, these small skips can hold approximately 20 bin bags worth of waste.
The 'mini' 2-yard skips are perfect for small domestic waste disposal jobs such as garden clearances and small DIY projects.
Dimensions:
5ft (L) x 4ft (W) x 3ft (H).
Capacity:
20-30 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £100.
4 Yard Skip
4 yard skips, which are also known as mini skips, are a popular choice for residential waste disposal with the capacity to hold the equivalent of 40 bin bags of waste.
A '4 yarder' is usually an excellent choice for small household refurbishments, including small kitchens and bathroom refurbishment work as well as larger garden clearances.
Dimensions:
7ft (L) x 5ft (W) x 3ft (H).
Capacity:
40 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £120.
6 Yard Skip
6 yard skips are more commonly known as small builders skips. As the name suggests, they are great for small building projects holding the equivalent of 60 bin bags of waste.
Note: A 6 yard skip is the largest skip that can be filled entirely with heavy waste such as soil, rubble, and bricks.
Dimensions:
10ft (L) x 5ft (W) x 4ft (H).
Capacity:
60 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £160.
8 Yard Skip
8 yard skips are the most popular skip in the UK due to its wide range of uses. While it is called a builders skip, there are many other uses. An 8 yard skip is ideal for builders waste, household clearances, industrial waste and commercial waste management.
Note: 8 yard skips are the largest size that can be placed on public highways, but this can vary in different areas.
Dimensions:
11ft (L) x 7ft (W) x 5ft (H).
Capacity:
80 bin bags of waste.
Use:
All-round use.
Price:
Prices start from £195.
10 Yard Skip
The 10 yard skip is better suited to commercial waste disposal rather than jobs for household rubbish removal. In most cases, it isn't possible to place a 10 yard skip on a public highway due to skip permit restrictions set out by your local council.
A 10 yard skip is best suited for factory and office clearances and in industrial settings.
Dimensions:
12ft (L) x 6ft (W) x 6ft (H).
Capacity:
100 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £220.
12 Yard Skip
The 12 yard skip is better suited to commercial waste disposal rather than jobs for household rubbish removal. It isn't possible to place a 12 yard skip on a public highway due to skip permit restrictions set out by your local council.
Like the 10 yard skips, a 12 yard skip is best suited for factory and office clearances and industrial settings.
Dimensions:
13ft (L) x 7ft (W) x 6ft (H).
Capacity:
120 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £250.
14 Yard Skip
Like most large skips, 14 yard skips are best suited for trade or commercial waste removal. Large skips are ideal for larger projects like shop fittings, green waste, and light construction waste including wood, metal and plastics.
Note: Large skips are not suitable for large quantities of soil or hardcore.
Dimensions:
13.5ft (L) x 6ft (W) x 6ft (H).
Capacity:
140 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Residential and trade.
Price:
Prices start from £300.
16 Yard Skip
16 yard skips are the largest of the traditional style yellow skips with the capacity to hold up to 160 bin bags of waste.
The 16 yard maxi skips are ideal for disposing of large amounts of lightweight bulky waste such as furniture, plastics and packaging. These skips are perfect for commercial renovation projects, manufacturing, and construction projects because of the high sides and large volume.
Dimensions:
14ft (L) x 6ft (W) x 7ft (H).
Capacity:
160 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Construction and business waste.
Price:
Get in touch for a quote.
20 Yard Skip
Roll on roll off skips are the largest type of skip available in the UK with the range starting at 20 cubic yards which can hold up to 220 bin bags of waste. The 20 yard skips are a very popular choice in the construction sector, with enough space to hold large amounts of building waste, debris, timber, metal, rubble and garden waste.
Note: 20 yard skips are the same length and width as the larger 40 yard containers.
Dimensions:
20ft (L) x 8ft (W) x 4.5ft (H).
Capacity:
220 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Commercial, industrial and business waste.
Price:
Depends on the type of waste. Call for a quote.
40 Yard Skip
40 yard roll on roll off skips are the largest type of skip available in the UK for hire. These large containers are ideal for businesses and construction projects that produce large quantities of waste.
RORO skips are a great option to reduce your waste disposal costs because fewer collections minimise transport costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The 40 yard containers are best suited to long-term waste management solutions for businesses that produce large waste quantities.
Note: 40 yard roll on roll off skips are compatible with a waste compactor unit. A compactor is great for reducing business waste costs.
Dimensions:
20ft (L) x 8ft (W) x 8.5ft (H).
Capacity:
440 bin bags of waste.
Use:
Commercial, industrial and business waste.
Price:
Depends on the type of waste. Call for a quote.
REL & Lidded Skips
Rear end loading skips (RELs) and lidded skips are very similar to regular skips with just the addition of a lid to keep waste in and prevent other people from putting waste in your skip.
Lidded skips are best suited for commercial waste management, and because of this they usually are larger skips ranging from 8 cubic yards to 16 cubic yards.
Lidded skips can also be a good option for residential skip hire when they're being placed on public highways. After paying for a skip, the last thing you want is for other people to throw their rubbish away in your skip so a lidded skip with a lockable lid can be a good option.
If you need any further help choosing the perfect sized skip for your project or business, please get in touch. Our highly skilled and experienced team are always happy to help and provide any information or advice you might need. Call us on 01706 823 001 for assistance.
The stated prices are estimated only and are subject to change without updates to this page. Prices are estimated as of January 2021.
Key Points:
- The smaller sized skips including 2, 4, 6 and 8 yard skips are best for domestic waste disposal, DIY jobs, garden waste, household refurbishment jobs and trade waste.
- Skips can go on a public highway, but they require a permit from the council. Permits may not get approved on skips larger than 8 yards.
- Larger skips including rear end loading skips and roll on roll off skips are best suited for commercial waste management. The largest 40 yard skips are ideal for companies producing large and continuous waste streams.
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