When hiring a skip there are usually four sizes of skip available; Mini, midi, builders and large.

Your local council will be able to provide you with information on the placing of skips and permits.

Large Skips: Capacity, 12-14 cu yards or 9.2 - 10.7 cu meters. Height, 5'3” or 1.6 meters. Length, 13'8” or 4.2 meters. Width 6’ or 1.84 meters.

Usually the vehicle delivering the skip to your house will be a LGV and are normally very large. Make sure there is enough room to allow it in and out safely.

Midi Skips: Small, convenient and suitable for small low volume waste projects.

Builders Skips: Capacity, 6-8 cu yards or 4.6 - 6.1 cu meters. Height, 4' or 1.22 meters. Length, 12' or 3.66 meters. Width 5'6” or 1.68 meters.

If you’re skip needs to be placed on the pavement or road, then it’s the up to the skip hire company to make sure they have a valid licence or permit for the skip.

Try to think realistically about what needs to thrown away. Two small skips will cost more to hire than a large one.

Normally a skip permit is valid for a month after which can be renewed.

If you do need to place a skip on the road or highway make sure the skip is placed in a position where it won’t become a danger to road users.