What Size Skip Do I Need? Full 2026 Guide to Choosing the Right Skip for Your Waste

First Time Hiring a Skip? Start Here

Hiring a skip for the first time can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.

At Lostock Skip Hire, we make the process simple, clear, and hassle-free. Whether you’re decluttering your home, landscaping your garden, or running a major renovation, this guide will help you pick the right skip for your waste, step by step.

Step 1: Understand Skip Sizes — From Mini to RoRo

Before booking, it helps to know the difference between skip sizes and what they’re best used for.
Here’s a breakdown of our most popular skips:

Mini Skip – 2 Yard Skip

Perfect for smaller home jobs or garden waste.

• Capacity: 20–30 bin bags

• Ideal for: DIY clear-outs, garden tidy-ups, or single-room projects

• How to book: Available online 24/7

💡 Tip: Great for when you have a small driveway or limited space.

Midi Skip – 4 Yard Skip

A popular mid-sized option for most household renovations.

• Capacity: 40–50 bin bags

• Ideal for: Kitchen/bathroom refits, medium home renovations

• How to book: Available online 24/7

Maxi Skip – 8 Yard Skip (Open)

Our most in-demand builder’s skip for domestic and light commercial projects.

• Capacity: 60–80 bin bags (approx. 1.5 tonnes of waste)

• Ideal for: Building rubble, heavy materials, large home clearances

• How to book: Available online 24/7

Step 2: Lockable Skips (8–16 Yard Range)

If your skip will be placed on a public road or left overnight, a lockable skip is the safest option.
Lockable skips prevent:

• Fly-tipping – stops others from dumping rubbish in your skip

• Safety hazards – prevent children or animals from climbing in

• Wind-blown debris – keeps your site tidy and compliant

We offer lockable skips in 8, 12, 14, and 16-yard sizes.

📞 These skips must be ordered by phone so we can confirm access, placement, and safety requirements.

Step 3: Large Commercial RoRo Skips (Roll-on Roll-off) Containers

For high-volume or commercial waste, our RoRo skips are ideal.
They’re perfect for construction sites, factories, or large renovation projects.

RoRo Skip Sizes

• 24 Yard RoRo Skip – Light construction waste, bulky materials

• 26 Yard RoRo Skip – Mixed commercial waste

• 35 Yard RoRo Skip – Site clearance or large industrial jobs

📞 RoRo skips are available by phone only to ensure you get the correct size and loading access.

Step 4: Skip Placement and Permits

Before booking, check:

• You have space for delivery and easy access for collection

• The skip will not block driveways, paths, or traffic

• If placed on a public road, you’ll need a Skip Hire Permit

We can arrange the skip permit for you, saving you time and paperwork.

➡️ Learn more: Skip Hire Permits

Step 5: What You Can (and Can’t) Put in a Skip

Knowing what goes in your skip keeps your project legal and environmentally safe.

✅ Allowed Waste:

• Household items, wood, metal, bricks, soil, furniture, general waste

🚫 Not Allowed:

• Paint tins, gas bottles, tyres, asbestos, electrical items, hazardous waste

For full details, see our guide: What Can I Put in a Skip?

Step 6: Eco-Friendly Waste Management

At Lostock Skip Hire, we’re committed to sustainability.
All waste is processed at our licensed recycling centre, and we strive to recycle as much as possible to minimise landfill use.

Learn more: Eco-Friendly Skip Hire

Step 7: How to Book Your Skip

You can hire a skip in minutes:

• 🖱 Mini, Midi, or Maxi skips – book online anytime

• 📞 Lockable or RoRo skips – call our friendly team for advice

• 🚚 Same or next-day delivery available across Bolton, Chorley, Preston, Leyland, and Wigan

👉 Book Your Skip Online or call 01204 383737 for expert advice.

Step 8: Unsure? Go One Size Up

Most first-time customers underestimate their waste.
If you’re in doubt, it’s usually more cost-effective to choose a slightly larger skip than to order a second one later.

Conclusion: We Make Skip Hire Simple

Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, we’ll make sure you get the right skip at the right price — with friendly support, clear guidance, and local expertise.

📞 Call us today on 01204 383737
or
🖱 Book online in minutes for fast, reliable skip hire. Just select the date from the calendar below.