Skip hire: compare quotes and prices

Identify the waste before choosing the container

Bulky household waste, mineral rubble, soil, timber and garden waste follow different disposal routes. A mixed-waste skip does not accept everything. List the intended materials so the company can assess acceptance conditions and any separation required.

Paints, batteries, pressurised containers and suspect building materials need checking beforehand. Asbestos-containing or other hazardous waste must not go unchecked into an ordinary mixed skip. Unassessed does not mean uncontaminated. Where contamination is suspected, have the appropriate assessment and disposal arranged before processing or mixing materials.

Volume is different from permitted load

Cubic metres describe the available space. Concrete weighs much more than the same volume of loose furniture parts. A large skip cannot automatically be filled with dense material. The company must match container, vehicle and permitted load.

Start with an approximate quantity rather than trying to select a model yourself. A description or later photographs can help. Separate waste streams or larger projects may need several containers or exchanges. Compare the complete cost of extra trips rather than the price of one container alone.

Separate transport, hire and disposal charges

Some packages include waste treatment; others charge separately by weight or volume. One published regional example lists CHF 190 for delivering and collecting a 7 m³ skip, with up to 60 calendar days on site. For 5 m³ of accepted bulky waste at CHF 84 per m³, disposal adds CHF 420, making CHF 610 excluding VAT. This belongs to that tariff, not a nationwide fixed price.

Included periods vary: other offers specify 14 or 30 days, for example. Compare extra hire, exchanges, failed trips, sorting surcharges, minimum quantities and VAT. A low delivery price says little about the cost of heavier or differently classified contents.

For weight-based billing, ask for a weighing record; for volume billing, clarify how the chargeable quantity is determined. A fixed package should define accepted materials, quantity and duration, along with variations that trigger extra charges.

Allow space for the lorry as well as the skip

The lorry needs access and room to lower and later collect the container. Narrow gates, low overhead clearance, slopes, soft ground or weight limits may prevent the operation. Agree protection for vulnerable surfaces where necessary.

Public land requires checking municipal rules, any permissions and parking reservations. Private land still needs suitable positioning and consent. Agree who handles these checks before confirming delivery; an empty driveway is not automatically an approved standing area.

Prepare loading and collection

Follow the agreed waste separation and loading limits. Protruding items or excessive weight can prevent collection. Skip hire does not automatically include workers to carry and load waste; request that support separately.

Arrange collection in good time and keep access clear. A suitable cover or lockable container may help where other people could deposit waste. Unagreed materials may change classification and charges. Confirm whether collection is booked or needs a separate request.