If you’re working on a renovation project or planning a big clear out, you might have decided that hiring a skip is going to be the best waste management solution. But, if you don’t have a lot of experience with skips, it can be difficult to decide on the right size. On one hand, you’ll want a skip that’s going to comfortably accommodate all of your rubbish, but you won’t want to order and waste money on one that’s far too big for your needs or the space you have available.
Here at SkipsAndBins.com, we offer a wide range of skip sizes, which means we’ll be able to cater your requirements. And, if you’re wondering “what size skip do I need?” we hope we can help you to make the best possible decision with this skip size guide. Here, we’ll talk you through the different sizes of skip that we offer, and explain what kinds of projects they’ll be best suited to. We’ll cover:
Hopefully you’ll find all of the information you need here but, if you have any other questions, check out our FAQs and get in touch. We’ll be more than happy to advise you!
2-yard skips
Best for: Small domestic jobs, like garden work or DIY projects
If you’re looking for the perfect waste management solution for a relatively small home project — perhaps you’ve decided to clear some of the clutter from your garden or you have a DIY project in mind — a 2-yard skip is likely to be your best bet.
This mini skip size is the smallest skip size you’ll find, and it can accommodate around 25 full bin bags of waste. One of these is going to be the ideal solution if you know that your household wheelie bins won’t quite fit all of the rubbish that’s going to be created by your project. A mini skip will also typically fit into the tightest driveway or yard, which means they’re great if you’re running low on space.
4-yard skips
Best for: Kitchen or bathroom renovations, as well as large garden clear outs
If you’re wondering what size skip you need for a bathroom or kitchen renovation, a 4-yard skip is likely to be the right choice for you. They’re also great for large garden clear outs and more complicated DIY jobs.
4-yard skips are a convenient and affordable option for domestic projects, and will accommodate the equivalent of around 45 full bin bags of waste. They’re still relatively small, though, which means they can fit comfortably on a driveway or in a yard, which is great if you don’t have a huge amount of space to spare.
6-yard skips
Best for: Medium-sized projects, like kitchen, bathroom, and other home renovations, as well as large clear outs
The traditional builder’s skip size, 6-yard skips are some of the most popular on the market because they tend to be great all-rounders. Whether you’re replacing your kitchen or bathroom, or would like to have a huge clear out, this could be the perfect option for you.
6-yard skips will accommodate around 65 bin bags full of rubbish. While these medium sized skips work very well for domestic projects, they’ll often be found on construction sites, as they can also be great for professional use. A 6-yard skip will fit in most driveways, too, making them a very convenient choice. There’s a reason why this is often considered to be the standard skip size — they’re great for a whole host of different jobs.
8-yard skips
Best for: Bulky domestic or commercial waste
If you’re working on a larger project that you know is going to create a great deal of bulky waste and debris, an 8-yard skip could be the perfect option for you.
This is the most popular size of skip in the UK, and it’s easy to see why: they’re ideal for a whole host of commercial, industrial, and domestic applications. They can accommodate around 80 bin bags full of rubbish, whether that’s bulky yet lightweight waste, or heavier materials such as rubble, soil, or concrete. One of these would make a great choice if you’re planning a total home clear out or extensive renovation work.
Here at SkipsAndBins.com, we offer 8 yard skips in both open top and enclosed options. They measure 1250mm (H) x 3500mm (W) x 1950mm (L) and there are options that hold up to 1000kg, 2000kg, 2200kg, or 5000kg of waste. Just make sure you check out which waste types they’re suitable for before making your decision.
Once you’ve chosen your skip, you can then pick the collection option that is going to suit your needs best. This can be a one-off collection, or we also have weekly and fortnightly options. Our 28-day rolling subscription will mean that you only pay for the services you actually use, and you won’t be tied into any complicated contracts.
12-yard skips
Best for: Large amounts of trade, business, or commercial waste
If you’re planning a large project, such as an office or home clear out, a 12-yard skip is likely to be the best option for you. They can hold around 120 bin bags’ worth of waste and are ideal for disposing of high volumes of different materials, including metal, wood, plastics, and packaging. They’re frequently used by construction sites, as well as shop fitters and home renovators.
Here at SkipsAndBins.com, we offer 12-yard skips that measure 1800mm (H) x 1900mm (W) x 3750mm (L). There are both open and enclosed designs, which can handle up to 1000kg, 2400kg, 2500kg, or 2600kg of waste. Check out which waste types they can be used for, and we’re sure to have just the one to suit your DIY, domestic, or commercial project.
Once you’ve picked out your skip, you can then select the frequency of your collections. This can be a one-off, or we can pick up your waste on a weekly or fortnightly basis. With our rolling 28-day subscription, you won’t be tied into any complicated contracts and can change your skip or collections at any time.
Skip size comparison table
If you still aren’t completely sure which option is going to be best for your needs, we’re going to compare the different skip sizes to help! Below is a skip size comparison table that gives all of the main pieces of information you might need about each choice, so you can come to the right decision.
A member from our helpful team will be more than happy to help you make your choice, too. So, if you need more information or aren’t confident about picking the perfect skip for your needs, contact us today! We can help.
| SIZE OF SKIP | BEST FOR… | CAPACITY | MAXIMUM WEIGHT (kg) | HEIGHT (mm) | LENGTH (mm) | WIDTH (mm) |
| 2-yard | Small domestic jobs, like garden work or DIY projects | 25 full bin bags | 2,000 | 900 | 1,200 | 1,000 |
| 4-yard | Kitchen or bathroom renovations, as well as large garden clear outs | 45 full bin bags | 4,000 | 900 | 1,800 | 1,400 |
| 6-yard | Medium-sized projects, like kitchen, bathroom, and other home renovations, as well as large clear-outs | 65 full bin bags | 8,000 | 1,400 | 3,400 | 1,800 |
| 8-yard | Bulky domestic or commercial waste | 80 full bin bags | 5,000 | 1,250 | 3,500 | 1,950 |
| 12-yard | Large amounts of trade, business, or commercial waste | 120 full bin bags | 2,600 | 1,800 | 3,750 | 1,900 |
Please note: all skip sizes are approximate and will vary slightly depending on local suppliers. For the exact weight limits, always check the service description before purchase.
If you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to get rid of the waste that’s going to be created by a project you’re working on, hiring a skip is likely to be the best move. There are so many different sizes to choose from, which means you’ll have plenty of freedom to pick out the option that’s going to suit your needs best. Plus, here at SkipsAndBins.com, we’ll ensure your rubbish is always collected in a timely and professional manner. You can even choose whether to arrange a one-off collection, or rolling collections every week or fortnight. We’ll then ensure that all of your waste is disposed of in a safe and responsible way.
Want to learn more? Check out our FAQs or get in touch with us today. We can help you to find the perfect waste management solution to suit your requirements.