When you hire a skip for the first time, it can be pretty easy to get caught out by aspects of the process you might not have otherwise considered because there’s a little more to obtaining a quote and arranging to have your skip delivered.
But what exactly do you need to know when hiring a skip? Read on to learn some of the more common mistakes people make when hiring a skip.
Wrong Size
It’s pretty common for people to underestimate the volume of rubbish they’ll be putting in their skip. And the result is either a second skip that doubles your cost or your skip being overloaded, which results in delays in collection or added fees from the hire company.
What size skip do you need? A 2-yard skip is generally enough for a small bathroom clearance or renovation. If you’re gutting a full house, then you’ll need an 8-yard skip at a minimum. If you’re unsure, you can check with the hire company before committing, or you can go for the next size up so you’re not needing a second hire. Local skip hire companies will be happy to talk you through what size skip you need, so you’re making life easier for both you and them.
Permit Oversights
Did you know that if the skip is going on a public road or pavement, you need a permit? Typically, this is something that the hiring company will arrange. But it can affect lead times for your booking, meaning you might not get it as quickly as you need it. This means you need to avoid leaving your booking until it’s urgent.
When booking your skip, assume this process will take a few days. And if you’re not sure if you need a permit, always check with your supplier, as they will know exactly what type of placement requires a permit and what doesn’t. Because placing a skip on your driveway doesn’t automatically mean no permit is needed, the presence of a dropped kerb, narrow access or overhead cables all factor into whether or not a permit is needed.
Prohibited Items
Every single skip hire will come with a list of prohibited items and there’s likely more on that list than you might realise.
Asbestos, tyres, batteries, fluorescent tubes, paint solvents and electrical appliances are all refused as standard.
And they’re not arbitrary, they’re governed by waste disposal regulations, and putting them in the skip can result in additional charges or the skip being refused at collection.
Overfilling
Skips have a fill line for a reason, and overloading them excessively means they cannot be legally transported. This can result in either the driver refusing to take it or charging you to remove the excess before it’s taken away. Heavy materials like soil, concrete and rubble fill weights fast even if you’re not at the fill line, so bear this in mind too. If your project involves any materials of this kind or you’re unsure about weights and appropriate fill levels, check when booking your skip so you know what to expect, so you can avoid overfilling.