However, there are some common mistakes people make when hiring a skip bin. And being aware of these will save you a lot of time, hassle and money.

1. Ordering the Wrong Skip Size

Many people make the mistake of ordering the wrong skip size for their requirements. They either order a skip bin which is far too small and cannot accommodate all their rubbish, or they order a bin which is too big – and a waste of money.

Before ordering your skip, think carefully about the amount of waste you’ll be loading into it.  Traverse your home and garden identifying items you wish to throw away. If possible, bring all your rubbish into one place and create a pile – this will provide a good visual of how much space is required and will enable you to make a more accurate estimate of what size skip you’ll need.

And remember, it’s better to over-estimate than under-estimate. If you under-estimate, you might end up having to order a second skip – which will be far more expensive than just ordering a larger skip in the first place!

2. Not Considering the Parking Space

Another common mistake we see all too often, is that people forget to consider where the skip will be placed and how much room there is.

Do your measurements. If the area you had in mind is too small to house your skip, or the skip is too big to fit through your gates, you’ll need to house it on the verge or on the road. Placing a skip on council land usually requires a permit, so do your homework to avoid issues come delivery day.

3. Overfilling the Skip

Overfilling the skip can be tempting if you think it can save on costs, which is understandable. However, there are safety regulations in place which prevent skip operators from transporting bins which are over-full.

Most skip hire companies therefore cannot accept overfilled skips and this can cause a lot of extra work for the customer, as well as the skip operator, in removing items from bin.

Every skip bin will have markers to indicate the fill level. So, make sure you monitor your waste levels and stop filling your skip once the load is full.

4. Putting Restricted Items into the Skip 

For safety and practical reasons, there are a number of items which cannot be put into a skip and must be disposed of separately.

 

The following items are not allowed in skips:

• Asbestos, explosives, flammables and other hazardous materials
• Organic waste
• Liquids
• Car batteries
• Gas cylinders
• Tyres

It is illegal to dump these items in a skip bin. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in additional charges from the skip hire operator, and / or a fine from your local authority.

5. Burning Rubbish in Order to Create More Space in the Skip

Burning rubbish in order to create more space in the skip may seem like a good idea, however this should be avoided. In many cases this is illegal and burning certain materials, such as plastics, can release toxic chemicals into the environment.

6. Failure to Recycle or Repurpose

Cheapest Skips are an environmentally-responsible skip hire operator and the majority of waste we collect is sent to a recycling plant.

 

However, not all operators are so stringent and inevitably some waste does end up in landfill.

So, carefully consider what items could be repurposed before you dispose of them. For example, chipped mugs could be used as plant pots, wine bottles could be repurposed as candle holders and an old ladder could be turned into a bookshelf.

7. Not Comparing Providers

Another common mistake people make is book with the first skip hire company they find, without doing their research.

It’s important to compare quotes, policies and reviews.

How does your skip hire company compare cost-wise? And are you comparing apples with apples? Are they environmentally-responsible? And how is their service delivery? Find out what previous customers are saying about them by checking out local review platforms, such as Google My Business, True Local and Product Review.

8. Exceeding Weight Limits

While Cheapest Skips do not impose weight restrictions on our skip bins, some operators do. So, be sure to read the terms and conditions, so you can estimate how much waste you can load into your skip.

If you are based in Perth WA and would like to hire a skip bin, our easy online booking system allows you to select your skip size and delivery / pick-up dates and order your skip in 3 simple steps. It takes less than 5 minutes! Then all you need to do is fill it up – we take care of the rest!