What size skip do I need?
Skips are sold in cubic yards. One cubic yard is 0.76m³, or roughly 8–10 full builder's bags of rubble. Most people underestimate, and a second skip costs far more than going one size up.
The sizes
2-yard mini skip (1.5m³): a small bathroom strip-out or soil from a border. 4-yard midi (3m³): a kitchen refit or garden clearance. 6-yard builder's skip (4.6m³): the most popular size — driveway excavation, house clearance. 8-yard (6.1m³): bulky light waste, house renovation. 12-yard (9.2m³): large volumes of light waste only.
Heavy waste warning
Soil, rubble and concrete are heavy. Most hire companies will not take more than a 6- or 8-yard skip filled with them, and a full 8-yard skip of soil can exceed the lorry's legal weight. For heavy waste, order a smaller skip and fill it, or ask about a grab lorry.
Permits
A skip on your own driveway needs no permission. A skip on a public road needs a permit from the council, typically £20–£60 for one to two weeks, plus lights and cones. The hire company usually arranges it, but the responsibility is yours — check with your local council.