The most common question we get before a job even starts is which size skip to book, and it is worth getting right, because too small means a second hire and too big means paying for space you never fill. The answer depends less on how big the pile looks and more on what is actually in it. Our Leyland skip hire team sizes up jobs every day, so here is how to judge it for yourself before you book.
The two sizes most jobs come down to
For the majority of work it is a choice between two. A 4 tonne midi skip takes roughly sixty-five to eighty-five bin bags worth and suits garden clearances, kitchen or bathroom refits and general household waste. An 8 tonne builders skip roughly trebles that, holding somewhere between a hundred and sixty and two hundred and forty bags, which makes it the one for construction work, large renovations and heavier debris. For a really big or ongoing project a roll-on roll-off container steps in above those, and our full range of skip sizes lays out everything in between.
Weight matters as much as space
The mistake most people make is judging size by volume alone. Heavy materials like rubble, soil and tile reach a skip’s weight limit long before they fill it to the top, while light but bulky waste such as packaging and furniture fills the space without troubling the weight. So the right size depends on the mix, and it always pays to allow a little margin, since a job has a habit of producing more than you first estimate. If you are unsure, our guide to choosing the right skip size walks through how to weigh it up.
Where the skip will sit in Leyland
Size is only half the question, because the skip has to go somewhere. Many of the estates around Leyland have driveway room to spare, so you can take a larger skip without a second thought. The older, tighter streets nearer the centre are a different matter, where a road position is often the only option and that means a permit, which can nudge you toward a size that fits the space. Our guide on whether you need a permit to place a skip on the road in Lancashire covers when one is needed, and we arrange it for you.
Filling it safely
Whatever size you choose, the waste has to stay below the top edge of the skip. An overfilled skip cannot legally be collected, so cramming in extra only leads to delay and a charge while it is levelled off or swapped. Loading the heavier material low down and filling the gaps with smaller pieces gives you the most usable space and keeps the load stable for transport.
What can go in, and where it goes after
A skip takes most general household rubbish, construction debris, garden waste and furniture. The exceptions to keep aside are asbestos, paint, tyres, fridges and electrical items, which all need a separate route, and a quick call settles any doubt before something goes in. Everything that does is sorted and recovered where possible at our own recycling centre, as we explain on our environmental and recycling page.
Serving Leyland and beyond
We cover Leyland along with Longton, Bamber Bridge and the surrounding area, and the same family operation runs our Ormskirk skip hire service further out, so you get local service with a much larger fleet behind it.
If you would rather just describe the job and let us recommend a size, that is what we are here for. Contact our Leyland team or call 01772 364399.
