You’ve finished the job.

The skip is full.

You’ve booked the collection.

All that’s left is for us to come and take it away.

Most of the time, that’s exactly what happens.

But occasionally our driver arrives and discovers there’s a problem that means we can’t safely collect the skip.

We don’t want that any more than you do.

So here are some of the most common reasons a skip can’t be collected and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.

1. The Skip Is Overfilled

This is probably the most obvious one.

A skip should only be filled to the top of its sides.

If you’ve created a mountain of waste sticking above the skip, our driver may not be able to safely transport it.

It isn’t simply us being awkward.

Once that skip is on the back of a wagon travelling down the road, anything sticking out or sitting unsecured above the sides could become dangerous.

If it’s full, it’s full.

Don’t keep building upwards.

2. It’s Too Heavy

A skip doesn’t necessarily have to look full to be heavy.

Soil, rubble, bricks and concrete can add an enormous amount of weight very quickly.

That’s why we always encourage customers to tell us what they’re planning to put into their skip before ordering.

A skip containing bulky household furniture is very different from exactly the same skip containing dense building materials.

It might look like there’s room for more.

That doesn’t necessarily mean there is.

3. We Can’t Get To It

This is one people sometimes forget.

Think back to the day your skip arrived.

The driveway was clear.

There were no cars in the way.

The wagon had enough room to manoeuvre.

Then two weeks pass.

The builder’s van is on the drive.

A pile of materials has appeared.

There’s scaffolding around the property.

Or somebody has parked directly in front of the access.

We still need the same access to collect your skip that we needed to deliver it.

Before collection day, have a quick look around and make sure our driver can actually get to it.

4. Something Has Been Put In The Skip That Shouldn’t Be There

Most household, garden and building waste can be dealt with through our normal skip service.

But some materials require different handling.

If prohibited or restricted items have been placed in the skip, we may need to deal with them before the skip can be collected normally.

If you’re ever unsure about an item, ask us before putting it in.

A quick phone call is much easier than trying to solve the problem when the wagon arrives.

5. Waste Is Hanging Out Of The Sides

It’s not only what’s above the skip that matters.

Long pieces of timber, metal, pipes or other materials sticking through or hanging over the sides can also create a problem.

Everything needs to be contained safely within the skip for transport.

If you’ve got long or awkward items, try to break them down where possible or speak to us if you’re unsure.

6. The Skip Has Been Moved

Once we’ve positioned a skip, don’t move it yourself.

It may only have moved a short distance, but that could be enough to make collection difficult or unsafe.

The position chosen by our driver takes account of access and how the wagon will need to pick the skip back up.

If the skip needs moving, speak to us.

7. The Ground Or Access Has Changed

Lancashire weather can make a difference too.

A suitable access route or area of ground when we delivered the skip might look very different after days of heavy rain.

This is particularly important where skips are positioned away from normal hard-standing areas.

Our driver has to consider whether the wagon can safely reach the skip and, crucially, get back out again with the additional weight onboard.

Safety has to come first.

What Happens If There’s A Problem?

Our first thought isn’t:

“We can’t collect it.”

It’s:

“How can we solve it?”

If your skip is overfilled, our Load & Go Skip Topper Service may be able to remove the excess waste.

If you’ve simply got more rubbish than expected, we can discuss a skip exchange, another skip or Load & Go.

If access is blocked, we can work with you to rearrange the collection once the problem has been resolved.

There’s usually a solution.

The earlier you speak to us, the easier it is to find one.

Five Minutes Before Collection Can Save A Wasted Journey

Before your skip is due to be collected, give it a quick check.

Is everything below the sides?

Is the load secure?

Is there anything inside that shouldn’t be?

Can the wagon get to it?

Have any vehicles, materials or scaffolding blocked the access?

Five minutes checking those things can save everybody a wasted journey.

We Want To Collect It Too

Nobody at Lostock wants to leave a full skip sitting on your driveway unnecessarily.

If you’ve told us it’s ready, we want to come and get it.

But our drivers also have a responsibility to make sure every skip they transport is safe and legal to take onto the road.

So if you’re ever unsure, don’t wait until collection day.

Send us a photo or give the Lostock team a call.

We’ll help you work out what needs to happen.

Because getting the skip delivered is only half the job.

Getting it safely collected matters just as much.

Your waste. Our responsibility.