Skip Hire Costs and Money-Saving Alternatives in the UK

If you're starting a house clearance, garden project, or renovation, hiring a skip might seem like the obvious way to get rid of your waste — but how much does it really cost, and are there better (and cheaper) alternatives?

Skip hire in the UK typically costs between £100 and £350, depending on the size, type of waste, location, and whether you need a permit. Below is a full cost breakdown and some smart ways to save money, including muckaway services, tip runs, and even controlled burning where legal.

Skip Hire Prices by Size (UK Average)

Prices vary depending on region and how long you want to keep the skip for. Skip hire in London, for example, can cost up to 20–30% more than in other areas.

Note: Prices usually include drop-off, collection, and disposal, but not skip permits (required if it goes on a public road).

Skip Permit Costs

If you don’t have space on private land (like a driveway), you’ll need to place the skip on the road — which means getting a permit from the local council.

• Permit cost: £30–£70 depending on your council

• Valid for 7 to 14 days, with extension fees if needed

• Often arranged by the skip hire company, but always check

Can You Avoid a Skip Altogether? Try the Tip

If you’ve got manageable amounts of waste, your local recycling centre (the tip) might be your best friend. Most councils allow residents to dispose of waste for free, including:

• Household items and rubble

• Old furniture

• Garden waste

• Metal, wood, and small amounts of plasterboard

Limitations apply — for example, you might need a permit for vans or trailers, and some sites restrict the number of visits per year. Still, it’s an easy way to save £100–£200 by avoiding a skip entirely.

For Hardcore Waste: Use a Muckaway Service

If your skip is mainly for hardcore materials like bricks, concrete, or rubble, consider muckaway services instead.

Muckaway companies send out 16-tonne grab lorries to collect waste directly from your site — you don’t need to lift a finger. Just leave the rubble in a pile, and they’ll grab it using a hydraulic arm.

Benefits:

• Much cheaper than hiring a skip for heavy waste

• No skip loading — saves time and effort

• No skip permits needed if you have no space

• Ideal for large volumes of bricks, slabs, hardcore and cement

Muckaway Is Also Ideal for Soil and Clay

Doing a garden overhaul or landscaping project? Don’t waste time digging and loading soil or clay into a skip.

Like hardcore, soil and clay can be cleared more easily with a grab lorry. You simply pile the spoil in a heap — no lifting, no skip overfilling, no wheelbarrow marathons.

Expect to pay around £150–£250 per load, often less than hiring a skip for the same volume.

Burning Garden Waste – Is It Legal?

Yes, you can burn garden waste in the UK, as long as:

• You only burn natural waste (leaves, branches, hedge trimmings)

• The fire doesn’t cause a nuisance (heavy smoke, smell, or danger)

• You don’t burn during high wind or in dry conditions

• You never burn plastics, painted wood, or general rubbish

Controlled burning can be a good way to reduce green waste without hiring a skip, especially for large gardens. Always check your local council guidance, as some areas have extra rules or discourage bonfires altogether.

Other Skip-Related Costs to Watch For

• Overfilling: You’ll be charged extra if waste rises above the skip’s rim

• Wrong waste type: Don’t mix plasterboard, electricals, or hazardous waste unless agreed — you’ll face penalty fees

• Access problems: Make sure the skip lorry can reach your site or you'll risk a failed delivery charge

• Extended hire: Keeping a skip longer than agreed? You’ll usually pay £10–£20 per extra day

Final Thought

Hiring a skip in the UK costs £100 to £350, depending on size and usage. But before you commit, consider alternatives like taking waste to the tip, or using muckaway services for soil, clay, or hardcore, which can be cheaper, faster, and easier.

And if your garden waste is all natural, burning it legally could save you a small fortune.

Think smart, assess your waste type, and you’ll save more than just money — you’ll save effort too.