Skip Hire for Renovations: How to Plan Aheads

Whether you’re upgrading a kitchen, knocking through walls, or giving your whole home a refresh, renovations generate a lot more waste than most people expect. That’s why planning your skip hire in advance is essential for keeping your project on track, your site safe, and your budget under control.

This guide explains how to plan for skip hire during your renovation — including what size you’ll need, how long to keep it, and what to avoid.

Why Skip Hire Is Essential for Renovation Projects

Home renovations typically produce a mix of waste materials, from bricks and timber to tiles, plasterboard, and packaging. Without a proper disposal plan in place, waste can pile up quickly and cause:

• Delays in work due to blocked access or clutter
• Health and safety risks on-site
• Extra costs for emergency collections or tip runs
• Potential fines for incorrect disposal

Hiring a skip gives you a central location for all your waste and lets your tradespeople focus on the job rather than waste removal.

Step 1: Understand What Waste Your Renovation Will Generate

Different types of renovations produce different waste materials. Knowing what to expect helps you choose the right size and type of skip.

Common renovation waste includes:

• Bricks and rubble (from demolition or wall removal)
• Plasterboard and insulation (from ceilings and walls)
• Timber and wood offcuts (from flooring or framing)
• Tiles, flooring, and old fixtures
• General waste and packaging

If you’re doing a full renovation, you’ll likely be dealing with a combination of heavy, dense waste and lighter, bulky items — which impacts the size and number of skips you’ll need.

Step 2: Choose the Right Skip Size

Choosing the right skip size avoids the cost of hiring a second one or paying for unused space. Here’s a quick guide:

If your project produces a lot of bricks or soil, avoid using skips larger than 8 yards — they may become too heavy to collect when full.

At Clearify, we help match your renovation size with the right skip to avoid overspending or overloading.

Step 3: Plan Your Skip Delivery and Collection Schedule

Skip hire typically runs for 7 to 14 days, but timing is key. You’ll want the skip delivered just before major demolition starts and collected once most of the heavy lifting is complete.

Skip hire planning tips:

• Book early, especially during busy seasons (spring, summer, holidays)
• Check with your builder or tradespeople when waste will peak
• Arrange for skip replacement or exchange if your project spans several weeks
• Consider having two smaller skips delivered at different stages if you don’t have room for a large one

Step 4: Check If You Need a Permit

If you’re placing the skip on a public road, pavement, or verge, you’ll need a skip hire permit from your local council. Most permits take 3–5 working days to arrange and are valid for 7–14 days. If you have space on a private driveway, you can avoid the permit altogether.

At Clearify, we’ll handle the permit process for you if needed — just let us know at the time of booking.

Step 5: Think About Access and Placement

Make sure there’s enough space for the skip to be delivered and safely placed. Consider the following:

• Can the skip lorry reach the driveway?
• Is there enough space for the skip to sit safely?
• Will the skip block access to the house or workspace?
• Is there overhead clearance (no trees, wires, or balconies in the way)?

Choose a location that’s accessible but doesn’t get in the way of tradespeople or materials deliveries.

Step 6: Know What You Can and Can’t Put in the Skip

Most renovation waste can go into a general builder’s skip, including:

• Wood and timber
• Bricks, rubble, concrete, and hardcore
• Tiles, plaster, and flooring
• Kitchen and bathroom units
• Packaging and general rubbish

Items you can’t put in a skip include:

• Asbestos
• Electrical appliances (TVs, fridges, etc.)
• Paint, solvents, and chemicals
• Batteries and gas canisters
• Plasterboard in large volumes (check with your provider)

Keeping these items out of your skip avoids delays, extra charges, and safety risks.

Step 7: Avoid Overloading the Skip

Skips must not be filled above the top edge (the “fill line”). Overfilled skips can be refused for collection or incur extra charges.

To avoid overloading:

• Break down bulky items before loading
• Spread weight evenly across the skip
• Don’t throw in large items haphazardly — stack carefully to maximise space

If in doubt, it’s often better to size up or arrange a second skip later in the project.

Step 8: Work With a Trusted Skip Hire Provider

The right skip hire company will help you stay compliant, avoid hidden charges, and keep your renovation running smoothly.

At Clearify, we:

• Offer a wide range of skip sizes for renovation projects
• Handle skip permits on your behalf
• Advise on waste types, loading, and collection schedules
• Work with licensed waste carriers only

Renovating your home comes with enough challenges — waste disposal shouldn’t be one of them. With a bit of forward planning, skip hire can make your project cleaner, safer, and more efficient from day one.

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or extending your whole house, Clearify has the experience, support, and skip sizes you need to get the job done properly.

Ready to book your renovation skip? Get in touch today for a free quote and expert advice on skip hire planning.