Removing Soil from Your Garden

Whether you’re landscaping, laying a new patio, or digging foundations for a garden building, most outdoor projects generate more soil than you expect. And once you’ve got a pile of it sitting in your garden, getting rid of it becomes the next challenge.

This guide will walk you through the best ways to remove soil from your garden — whether you want to do it yourself, reuse it, or hire a professional service.

1. Estimate How Much Soil You Need to Remove

Before you start digging, try to estimate how much soil you’ll need to remove. Soil volume is usually measured in cubic metres or cubic yards. One cubic metre of soil weighs around 1.3 to 1.5 tonnes, depending on moisture content.

To estimate the volume:
Multiply length x width x depth of the area you’re digging (in metres) to get your soil volume in m³.

Knowing the volume will help you decide whether you can manage disposal yourself or need a skip or grab hire.

2. Reuse Soil in Your Garden (If It’s Suitable)

If your soil is clean and free from weeds or contaminants, you might be able to reuse it elsewhere in your garden.

Ideas for reuse:

• Level uneven ground
• Raise flower beds or borders
• Create a base for turf or planting areas
• Give it away on local forums like Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle

Make sure the soil is free from rubble, roots, or invasive species like Japanese Knotweed before reusing or giving it away.

3. Use Heavy-Duty Bags for Small Loads

If you only have a small amount of soil to get rid of, consider using bulk bags or rubble sacks. These can be loaded gradually and taken to your local waste recycling centre.

Things to consider:

• Soil is heavy — don’t overfill bags
• Check if your local recycling centre accepts soil (some have limits or fees)
• You’ll need a suitable vehicle for transport

This option works well for DIYers tackling small garden jobs without the need for a skip.

4. Hire a Skip for Medium to Large Soil Loads

If you’re removing a significant volume of soil, hiring a skip is often the most cost-effective and practical option. Soil is classed as “inert waste,” meaning it can go into skips designed specifically for heavy materials.

Why skip hire works for soil removal:

• You can remove large volumes at once
• Saves multiple trips to the tip
• No need to handle disposal yourself
• Collection is arranged for you

Recommended skip sizes for soil:

• 4 Yard Skip – Suitable for small to medium dig-outs
• 6 Yard Skip – Often referred to as a “builder’s skip” and ideal for soil
• 8 Yard Skip – Maximum size for heavy soil due to weight limits

Avoid using larger skips (like 12-yard or RoRo skips) for soil as they may be too heavy to lift when full.

If you’re unsure what size you need, Clearify can help match your project with the right skip and handle everything from delivery to collection.

5. Consider Grab Hire for Large or Hard-to-Reach Piles

If your soil is piled up in a heap and accessible from the roadside, grab hire might be more efficient than skip hire.

A grab lorry uses a hydraulic arm to collect soil directly from your garden or driveway, which can save you the hassle of loading it yourself.

Grab hire is ideal when:

• You’ve already dug the soil and stored it in a pile
• The volume is too large for a standard skip
• There’s good access for a grab lorry

6. Think About Access and Logistics

Before committing to any removal method, consider how accessible your garden is:

• Can a skip lorry or grab lorry get close to your property?
• Is there space for a skip on your drive?
• Will you need a permit if placing the skip on a public road?

If access is limited, a man and van waste collection service might be another alternative — especially if you have smaller amounts spread out across the garden.

7. Don’t Mix Soil with General Waste

If you’re using a skip, keep in mind that soil should go in a dedicated skip for inert waste. Mixing it with wood, plastics, or general rubbish could lead to extra charges or even refusal of collection.

Keep soil dry and separate from other materials if you want to keep disposal simple and cost-effective.

The Best Option Depends on Your Project

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best soil removal method:

At Clearify, we offer skip hire, grab hire, and man and van collection across the UK. Our team can help you decide the most efficient way to remove soil based on your project size, budget, and access.

Need help with soil removal? Get in touch today for expert advice and a free quote.