I’ve used the services of a skip hire firm on several occasions and I’ve also disposed of building and home improvement waste via other means.

If you’ve got waste you need to get rid of, consider the four alternatives on this page:

The Hippo Bag Skip Alternative

I’m a huge fan of the Hippo Bag.

It’s lighter than a skip, won’t damage your driveway, can hold up to 1.5 tonnes and you only need to use it when you’re ready as they come flat packed.

Once full, all you need to do is give them a call and they will come to collect the bag with their grab lorry.

You don’t even need to be at the address when they arrive, just leave it within a set distance from the roadside kerb and they will do the rest.

Hippo Bags come in several different sizes but the largest can hold the contents of an entire bathroom, so they are perfect for home improvement projects.

This bag costs £192 (checked April 2022), holds up to 1.5 tonnes and is large enough for an entire bathroom. You can buy from Hippo.

This Hippo skip is an alternative to a traditional skip but slightly cheaper at £281 (prices checked April 2022). Buy from Hippo.

Hippo bags can be purchased here.

Hire a Man and a Van (aka a waste clearance firm)

There are probably dozens of waste and house clearance firms in your area.

These are usually small businesses that sell any items of value, including metals. The rest is taken to a waste disposal yard.

You should check that any firm you use is registered with the Environment Agency and ask for proof that the waste will be disposed of legally.

Hire a Tipper Van and Dispose of The Waste Via a Commercial Yard

Years ago I was working on a fairly large project that involved removing an old shed and garage, a patio and also some remodelling of the garden as well as a house clearance.

We created tons of waste and we looked into skip hire costs. It actually worked out cheaper to hire a tipper van for the day and transport all the waste to a commercial recycling centre ourselves via multiple trips.

The property was quite small and there was only enough room for one skip at a time.

Tipper van hire not only worked out cheaper but meant we could get the project finished in half the time.

Take Your Waste to Your Local Council’s Recycling Centre

Years ago you could take almost any type of waste to your local council’s recycling and disposal centre.

Unfortunately, tradespeople and homeowners abused the system by disposing of construction waste that should have been taken to a commercial yard instead.

Most councils now have strict conditions on what you can and can’t take there.

Some will still accept building waste from small projects you’ve undertaken at home and most still accept garden waste.

Traditional Skip Hire Charges

In 2022, we researched the cost of skip hire by getting in touch with dozens of firms and requesting prices.

The average cost to hire a skip was £255 but there are several extra charges that may apply.

You can see current skip hire prices here.