Let’s face it – hiring a skip should be straightforward, shouldn’t it? You call up, book it, they drop off a big metal container, you fill it with rubbish, and Bob’s your uncle. But as we’ve seen time and again at Clearaway Recycling, there’s plenty of room for things to go a bit pear-shaped if you’re not careful.
We’ve seen it all over the years – from the customer who tried to hide a fridge under a pile of garden waste (nice try, mate) to the person who booked a mini skip for an entire house clearance. So I thought I’d put together this handy guide to the most common skip hire blunders, so you can avoid them and keep your project running smoothly.
1. Playing ‘Guess the Size’ (and Losing)
This is the classic, isn’t it? Underestimating how much junk you actually have is practically a national sport. There you are, looking at your garage thinking, “That’s not much, just a few bits and bobs” – only to find that once you start clearing, it’s like Mary Poppins’ handbag in there.
The typical mini skip (2-3 cubic yards) holds about 25-35 black bin bags of waste. That sounds like a lot until you start ripping out kitchen units or garden fence panels. Before you know it, you’re playing the world’s least fun game of Tetris, trying to cram everything in.
Pro tip: Go one size up from what you think you need. It’s typically cheaper to get a slightly larger skip than to order a second one when the first overflows.
2. Forgetting About Permits
Picture the scene: it’s delivery day, the skip lorry arrives, and the driver asks where you’d like your skip. “Just on the road outside,” you say breezily. Then comes the awkward question: “Do you have a permit for that?”
If your skip needs to sit on a public highway – which includes pavements and verges, not just the actual road – you need a permit from your local council. Skip companies can usually arrange this for you, but:
- It costs extra (typically £20-50 depending on your area)
- It takes time to process (usually a few days)
- It’s not guaranteed to be approved
Pro tip: If you’ve got room on your own property – driveway, garden, etc. – you’ll save yourself money and paperwork. If not, factor permit costs and processing time into your project planning.
3. Playing ‘What Can I Get Away With?’
We get it – waste disposal regulations can seem like a right faff. But trying to sneak prohibited items into your skip is a bit like trying to smuggle contraband through airport security – the chances of success are slim, and the consequences aren’t worth it.
Common offenders include:
- Electrical items (TVs, fridges, washing machines)
- Batteries (they can cause fires in waste processing facilities – not ideal)
- Paint and solvents (even that “almost empty” tin)
- Tyres (surprisingly troublesome to dispose of)
- Plasterboard (this often needs separate disposal)
We’ve had customers try everything from burying these items under other waste to dropping them in under cover of darkness (yes, really – we see you, 3am skip-filler).
Pro tip: If in doubt, just ask us what can go in. We’d rather have a quick chat than deal with the hassle of prohibited waste later on.
4. The Great Overfill
“It’s fine, it’s only a bit over the top.”
Ah, the optimistic overfiller. I admire your ambition, but there are laws about transporting waste, and they’re rather strict on the ‘not having bits fall off onto the motorway’ front.
Skip contents should never rise above the level of the sides. If our driver can’t put the cover on safely, they can’t legally take it away. This leads to one of three awkward outcomes:
- You have to remove the excess waste yourself
- You pay an additional charge for the overfill
- You book another skip for the overflow (time + money + hassle)
Pro tip: Use the “fill from the back” technique – start at the far end and work your way forward, carefully stacking and compacting as you go. Break down bulky items like furniture to save space.
5. Leaving It ‘Til the Last Minute
Friday afternoon, 4:30pm: “Hi, I need a skip for tomorrow morning.”
Oh, mate. If I had a pound for every time we’ve had this call, I’d be writing this blog from my yacht in Monaco.
Skip hire companies get booked up, especially at busy times (spring, summer, and around bank holidays). Trying to book at the last minute:
- Limits your options on size and type
- May mean you have to wait days or even weeks
- Could cost you more (rush fees are a thing)
Pro tip: Book your skip at least a week before you need it, especially during busy periods. And if your project has a fixed start date, get that skip booked as soon as you confirm the date.
6. The Access Oversight
“What do you mean the truck can’t fit down my lane?”
Skip lorries are big beasts. They need space to manoeuvre, a decent surface to drive on, and height clearance for lifting the skip on and off. That quaint country lane with low-hanging trees? That tight driveway with a tricky turn? That sodden lawn after three weeks of British “summer” rain? All potential no-gos.
Pro tip: Mention any access concerns when booking. Our drivers are skilled, but they haven’t yet mastered the art of shrinking the truck to fit through impossibly tight spaces. If standard delivery isn’t possible, we can discuss alternatives like wait-and-load services.
7. Hiring at the Wrong Time
Timing is everything with skip hire. Book too early, and you’re paying for days when the skip is sitting empty. Book for too short a period, and you’ll be rushing to fill it or paying extension fees.
Common timing fails include:
- Booking before you’ve cleared enough space for the skip
- Hiring before you’ve got all the materials and help you need for your project
- Not allowing enough time to fill it (especially if you’re working weekends only)
- Booking during predicted awful weather (trying to clear garden waste in a downpour is nobody’s idea of fun)
Pro tip: Most skip hire periods are around 7-14 days. Plan your project phases to make the most of this window, and if you need it longer, let us know in advance – it’s usually cheaper than paying late fees.
8. The False Economy Trap
“I found a skip company online that’s £50 cheaper than everyone else!”
Alarm bells should be ringing, my friend. While everyone loves a bargain, suspiciously cheap skip hire often comes with hidden catches:
- Extra charges for delivery and collection
- Shorter hire periods
- Restrictive weight limits
- Poor customer service (good luck getting anyone on the phone when there’s an issue)
- Questionable waste disposal practices (fly-tipping is still depressingly common)
Pro tip: Look for a company with transparent pricing, good reviews, and proper waste carrier licenses. Ask what percentage of their waste gets recycled – reputable companies like us at Clearaway Recycling are proud of our recycling rates and happy to share them.
9. Ignoring Weight Limits
“It’s just a bit of soil and some bricks. How heavy can it be?”
The answer is: surprisingly, shockingly heavy. Certain materials – soil, concrete, bricks, tiles, and plasterboard – weigh a ton. Well, not literally a ton (though sometimes yes, literally a ton). A skip has weight limits for a reason – the truck needs to be able to safely lift and transport it.
Pro tip: If your project involves heavy materials, mention this when booking. We can advise on the right size and type of skip, or suggest alternating layers of heavy and light waste to keep the weight manageable.
10. Not Protecting Your Property
Skip? Meet driveway. Driveway? Meet several tonnes of metal that might leave a lasting impression.
Skips can damage driveways, especially softer surfaces like tarmac or block paving. And that’s before you start chucking heavy items in from a height.
Pro tip: Ask for boards to be placed under the skip to distribute the weight and protect your surface. For added protection, lay down your own plywood sheets first.
Ready to Skip the Mistakes?
There we have it – the skip hire hall of shame. Avoid these common pitfalls, and your waste disposal experience should be smooth sailing.
At Clearaway Recycling, we’ve seen every skip-related drama imaginable, which means we’re perfectly placed to help you avoid them. We’ll ask the right questions upfront, guide you on size and placement, advise on permits, and make sure you’re clear on what can and can’t go in.
After all, your rubbish disposal should be the simplest part of your project – not the bit that has you tearing your hair out and frantically Googling “how to dispose of half a skip’s worth of extra waste by tomorrow morning.”
