Quick Tips for Hiring Skips

Whether you are doing some DIY, having some building or renovation work done, or just having a big clear out, hiring a skip is a great way of disposing of a large amount of rubbish and waste.

However, if you have never hired a skip before or if you have experienced problems with hiring a skip before, you could find this to be quite a daunting task.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert in skip hire, the following tips can help to ensure that you are disposing of your waste correctly and responsibly, that the process is as effortless and problem-free as possible, and that you get the most out of hiring a skip.

Book Your Skip in Plenty of Time

If you know when you will need your skip, it is a good idea to book it as far in advance as possible to increase your chances of getting one when you need it for. If you leave it too late, you may not be able to get one in time, or you may have to get a skip that is not practical or cost-effective.

Be Smart When Loading Your Skip

To make the most of your skip, you should load the biggest, bulkiest, and heavier items at the bottom, then load smaller, lighter items towards the top. This will help to ensure that you get as much waste in your skip as possible.

Do Not Overload Your Skip

There are strict regulations regarding how much waste you can put in a skip. If stacked too high, with waste reaching over the top of the skip, the skip is at risk of becoming unbalanced when it comes to lifting it onto the trucks. Not only is this dangerous, but it is also illegal. So, you must take care to not overload your skip.

Get a Licence

If you want to leave your skip on the road, rather than private land such as a driveway, garden, or building site, you will need to obtain a license before hiring a skip. It can take up to seven days to get a permit from your council, so you must get in touch with your local council as soon as possible to arrange this in time.

Some skip hire companies may sort out permits for you, so it is worth checking whether this is something that a company offers before booking your skip hire and applying for a permit. Here at LSPS, we can apply to your local council for a permit and complete all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.

Do Not Put Hazardous Waste in Your Skip

Any hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in a skip. Some of the most common items that cannot be put in a skip include asbestos, batteries, clinical or medical waste, electrical appliances and equipment, liquids, paint or cans of paint, and tyres.

If prohibited items are found in your skip upon emptying, the restricted items are likely to be returned to you, and you may be required to pay an extra charge.

Protect Your Surface

Skips can potentially cause damage to gardens and driveways, particularly those made with soft tarmac or block paving, if placed directly on the surface. To reduce the risk of damage, place scaffolding planks or large pieces of wood down for the skip to rest on.

Select the Right Size Skip

The best way of ensuring that your skip does not become overloaded is to get the right size skip for the job.

Ensuring that you get the right size skip for your requirements will mean you do not end up overpaying for a skip that you are not going to fill, as well as preventing you from needing to hire a second skip should it not be big enough to hold all your waste.

Two-yard mini skips are ideal for most homeowners looking to get rid of household waste. Whereas an eight-yard maxi skip with a drop-down door for easy loading is typically used by builders. Larger 20-yard and 40-yard roll-on, roll-off skips are also available for bigger projects.

If you are unsure what size skip would be the most cost-effective and adequate size for your waste disposal, take a look at this skip size guide or consult an expert.

Our team at LSPS is experienced in supplying skips for all kinds of waste disposal, from small domestic jobs to large commercial projects. If you have any queries regarding skip hire or require assistance in choosing the ideal skip for you, please get in touch with us today via 0800 083 7807 or info@lspsskiphire.co.uk.