Skip hire is used throughout the UK for residential and commercial purposes – providing a convenient solution for waste disposal.
By hiring a skip, you no longer need to worry about making countless trips back and forth to the local tip using your car. Instead, the skip will be delivered and collected from you – meaning all you have to do is load it with waste.
Whilst there are various skip hire companies available, some will have more experience than others. And bear in mind that the prices they charge for their services can differ considerably.
Below, we take a look at the factors that can impact skip hire prices and what you can do to make sure you receive the best value for your money.
1. Skip company
Though it’s great to have so many options, no two skip companies are the same – and neither are their prices.
By all means, ask friends and family for recommendations and check customer testimonials and Google reviews to help narrow your options down.
However, once you have the names of a few different skip hire firms, contact them individually. Let them know your skip hire requirements and ask them for a quote. This way, you can make comparisons between the services and prices they offer.
2. Location
Skip hire costs can fluctuate regionally.
Skips tend to be more expensive in London and the south-east than in the north, meaning you’ll pay more for
skip hire in Folkestone than you would for skip hire in Edinburgh, for instance.
If a company has to travel a long distance to deliver and collect skips to and from your property, you will likely incur a charge to cover fuel costs and journey time.
Hiring from a local firm will help to keep your costs as low as possible. The may be able to accommodate your requirements sooner, too.
3. Skip size
It’s no surprise that a bigger skip will cost more than a smaller one.
But the last thing you want to do is pay extra to hire a skip that offers more disposal space than you need. You don’t want to order a container that’s too small and end up needing to hire a second one to accommodate all materials, either.
Knowing the quantity of your waste will help to determine the most suitable skip size. If you’re not entirely sure, it’s always better to hire a skip that’s slightly bigger than you need, to ensure waste doesn’t overflow and make it harder for the skip company to collect and transport.
4. Skip hire period
When arranging skip hire, the provider will likely ask you when you’d like the skip to be delivered and collected.
Usually, they allow you to keep one of their hired skips on your driveway or private land for 7-14 days. However, if you need to extend your rental, you’ll need to discuss your requirements with them, and you’ll be charged an extra fee.
Bear in mind that some companies provide unlimited skip hire – giving you the flexibility to hire one of their containers for as long as you need to. Though this is ideal if you don’t know how long your project will take to complete, you will pay more.
5. Waste type
Another factor that affects the cost of skip hire is the type of waste you need to dispose of. This is because different waste types have different disposal requirements, with some being much easier to handle and others requiring complex treatment processes.
Whilst most types of waste can be thrown in a skip, certain items must be kept out, including:
• Asbestos
• Batteries
• Electricals
• Gas cylinders
• Paint
• Plasterboard
• Tyres
Once your skip is full, the skip provider will collect it and take it to the nearest sorting facility – so they’ll know if you’ve attempted to hide any hazardous, perishable or explosive items in it. If such materials are found, you may be fined for not adhering to skip hire rules, which ultimately increases your skip hire costs.
6. Council prices
Under council rules and regulations, if you don’t have enough space on your drive or your skip needs to be kept on the road, you will need to obtain a permit.
The cost of a skip hire permit can vary depending on the local council, with some charging as little as £15 and others over £60.
Sometimes, skip companies will take care of the paperwork on your behalf – giving you one less thing to worry about – and will include the fee within the overall price of your skip hire.
If you’re interested in hiring a skip – either for your domestic or commercial project – be sure to choose a reputable skip firm. Take TW Services, for instance. They offer some of the most affordable rates for skip hire in Folkestone and Kent and will always provide a free, no-obligation quote to suit your exact needs.
