What is the most popular skip size in the UK?

The 6-yard builder's skip is the most commonly hired skip in the UK. It holds approximately 4.6 cubic metres (around 65 bin bags) and is suitable for most single-room renovations, kitchen refits, and medium-sized clearance jobs. It is large enough to be useful but small enough to fit on most driveways.

Do I need a permit for a skip on the road?

Yes, if your skip is placed on a public road, pavement, or highway, you will need a skip permit from your local council. Costs vary by council (typically £20-£65) and the permit is usually valid for 2-4 weeks. If the skip is on your private driveway or land, no permit is needed. Your skip hire company can usually arrange the permit for you.

What cannot go in a skip?

You cannot put hazardous waste in a skip, including asbestos, batteries, gas bottles, tyres, paint tins (unless empty and dry), electrical equipment (WEEE), fridges/freezers, medical waste, or plasterboard (which must be separated). Some skip companies also charge extra for mattresses. Always check with your skip hire company before loading.

How long can I keep a hired skip?

Most skip hire companies include a standard hire period of 7-14 days. After this, you may be charged a daily or weekly extension fee (typically £5-£15 per day). If you need the skip for longer, arrange an extended hire upfront as this is usually cheaper than paying daily overage charges.

Is it cheaper to hire two small skips or one large one?

A single larger skip is almost always cheaper than two smaller ones. For example, one 8-yard maxi skip (6.1 m³) is typically 30-40% cheaper than hiring two 4-yard midi skips (6.0 m³ combined). The delivery and collection costs are the biggest expense, so fewer deliveries means lower costs.

TradeCalcs

Skip Size Guide — Which Skip Do I Need?

Find the right skip size for your project. Compare mini, midi, builder's, maxi, and large skips by capacity in cubic metres and bin bag equivalents.

How would you like to estimate?

Estimated Waste Volume

Estimate how many cubic metres of waste you will generate

Hire Price (optional)

Enter the quoted skip hire price for your cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This guide recommends the right skip size based on either your estimated waste volume or your project type. We match your requirements to the smallest skip that will comfortably hold your waste.

Skip sizes available in the UK

Mini (2-yard): 1.5 m³ capacity, ~30 bin bags
Midi (4-yard): 3.0 m³ capacity, ~45 bin bags
Builder's (6-yard): 4.6 m³ capacity, ~65 bin bags
Maxi (8-yard): 6.1 m³ capacity, ~85 bin bags
Large (12-yard): 9.2 m³ capacity, ~130 bin bags
Roll-on-Roll-off (16-yard): 12.2 m³ capacity

Project type estimates

When you select a project type, we recommend a skip based on typical waste volumes for that type of job. These are industry averages — your actual waste may vary depending on the scope of work. When in doubt, go one size up to avoid overfilling (which is illegal and the skip company will refuse to collect).

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.