Whether you’re undergoing a complete renovation or just getting the garden ready for summer – there are a few things you should know when you’re looking to hire a skip at home!
With so many different types of skips available and so many different types of skip services, it’s important to know which one will be the best for you.
Find out more about domestic skip hire and our top tips for hiring a skip at home below:
Find the Perfect Location
Get a Skip Permit If You Need One
It’s important to be aware that you may require a skip permit depending on the location of your skip.
If you’re planning on placing your skip on the road or any land that isn’t privately owned – then a skip permit will be required from your local council. However, your skip hire contractor should arrange this for you.
Think About Accessibility
Whether you can keep your skip on your driveway or the road, you need to make sure that it’s accessible for you to both fill and for the skip hire company to deliver and collect for you. Bear in mind that your skip will likely be delivered on a 7.5 tonne HGV, so it’s important that it can gain access to your property.
If you decide to place the skip on your driveway, then you should also make sure that you protect it. If you have block paving or soft tarmac, then it would be a good idea to rest the skip on pieces of ply or scaffolding planks for example.
Consider Your Skip Etiquette
If you’re keeping your skip on the road or if you have a shared driveaway – then consider your neighbours as well as pedestrians.
Try to ensure your skip isn’t blocking access for anyone walking past or for your neighbours. You should also load your skip carefully, ensuring that there aren’t any light items on top that could blow off in strong winds and cause any damage.
Hire A Skip That’s Suitable
Choose the Best Size for Your Project
Choosing the right size skip for your home project is essential!
The larger skip you hire, the cheaper it becomes per square/metre of waste. However, it’s important that you’re able to fill it! If not, you will just end up paying for empty space.
Likewise, if you hire a skip that’s too small then you’ll risk having to hire another skip which could end up costing you a lot more. At KCM, our online booking portal guides how much you could expect to fit in each sized skip.
Be Sure That Your Waste Can Be Put in a Skip
There’s often some confusion as to what can and cannot be put in a skip. Luckily, most things can be put in a skip, so it’s easier to outline the things that can’t which is generally any types of confidential waste, WEEE waste, or hazardous waste.
Here are some of the most common household items that you can’t dispose of in a skip:
- Batteries
- Asbestos
- Clinical or medical waste
- Large electrical items
- Fridges and freezers
- Paints and oils
You can find out more about the types of waste that are accepted here.
Choose the Best Skip Service
The most common skip service is where you keep it for a period of time, fill it and then it is collected. However, here at KCM, we have other variations of skip services available, as outlined below:
Wait and Load: If you need a quick turnaround or need helping to load the skip then this may be the best option. Our drivers will wait for the skip to be loaded for up to 20 minutes before returning it to our waste site.
Exchange: This involves filling your skip, then our drivers will bring you a new skip (of any size) when it’s ready to be collected. This is a good option if you know you’re going to need a bigger skip initially and then a smaller skip or a long term project.
Tip and Return: As the name suggests, this involves us collecting and emptying your skip before returning the same one to you. This is a good option if you know you’re going to need at least 2 skips in a short space of time but don’t have the space for them both there together.
Hire A Skip Efficiently
Are You Ready for Your Skip?
Before you hire your skip, make sure you’re ready to start filling it! Otherwise, it may end up costing you extra fees and permit hire if you need to keep it for longer.
If you can’t plan exactly when you’ll be ready for your skip – then choose a nationwide skip supplier that can provide quick delivery services.
At KCM, we are generally able to provide nationwide skip hire with a next day delivery service. You can just check our availability on our online direct booking portal when you’re almost ready for it.
Load Your Skip Smartly
Once your skip arrives, you could save space and money by getting a plan together of the most efficient way to load it!
You should load the heaviest or biggest items first. That way, smaller items can fit into the gaps to ensure it’s filled as condensed as possible.
You should also make sure that your waste fits within your skip. And that it doesn’t exceed the height of the skip’s sides. Waste exceeding the load level limit is illegal and will result in your skip not being able to be collected.
Choose A Trusted Skip Company
Do They Have Experience?
An experienced skip company will be able to professionally advise you on the best type of service for you.
As well as being experienced, your skip contractor must be also licensed to transfer waste. If not, there’s a risk that they may be illegally dumping your waste (fly-tipping) which is illegal, as well as being very damaging to the environment. You can check to see if they’re licensed on the Environmental Agency’s website.
Check Their Reviews
Like with most businesses, you must check reviews of any company before hiring a skip from them.
Here at KCM, we have over 30 years of experience in skip hire. And we’re very proud to have built a fantastic reputation within South Yorkshire and nationwide – having built up 5* reviews across TrustPilot and Facebook.
Are you looking to hire a skip at home? If so, get in touch with our trusted team today or get an instant quote here.