You need to get rid of waste. The question is: do you need a skip sitting on site for a few days, or can you load it in one go and have it gone within the hour?
Both options work. But choosing the wrong one can cost you more than it should — especially in London where permits and parking restrictions add up fast.
Here's how to decide.
What Is a Wait and Load?
Wait and load is exactly what it sounds like.
A skip lorry arrives, you load the skip while the driver waits, and once you're done, they take it away. The whole thing usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
There's no skip left on site. No permit needed. No bay suspension. The driver's there, you fill it, it's gone.
It's popular for jobs where:
- You've got all your waste ready to go
- You don't have private land to put a skip on
- You're on a busy road or in a CPZ where parking a skip would be a nightmare
- You just want it done and dusted in one visit
What Is Long-Term Skip Hire?
This is your standard skip hire.
A skip gets dropped off, sits on site for an agreed period (usually a few days to a couple of weeks), and then gets collected once you're ready.
It works well when:
- You've got ongoing work generating waste over several days
- You have private land — a driveway, yard, or site compound — to keep it on
- You need flexibility to fill it at your own pace
- The job is too big to clear in one loading session
Permits and Bay Suspensions
Here's where a lot of people get caught out.
If you're placing a skip on a public road in London, you'll likely need a skip permit from your local council. That's an extra cost and a bit of paperwork.
If you're in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), you might also need a bay suspension — which means paying the council to reserve the parking space for your skip.
For a full breakdown on permits, read: When & Why You Need a Skip Permit
For CPZ areas specifically, this one covers it: Skip Hire in CPZ Areas: Do You Need a Bay Suspension Too?
The costs can stack up quickly - especially if your job only needs a day or two of actual loading time.
That's why wait and load exists. No skip sitting on the road means no permit, no bay suspension, and none of the hassle that comes with it.
When Wait and Load Is the Better Option
Wait and load makes the most sense when:
You've got your waste ready to go House clearance done. Garden ripped out. Renovation debris bagged and piled. If everything's already gathered, there's no point paying for a skip to sit there for days.
You don't have private land No driveway. No off-street parking. The skip would have to go on the road — which means permits, and potentially a bay suspension. Wait and load avoids all of that.
You're in a busy or restricted area Central London. Residential streets with tight parking. CPZs. These are all situations where keeping a skip on the road becomes expensive and complicated.
You want a quick turnaround Book it, load it, done. No chasing for collection. No waiting around. One visit, waste gone.
You're doing a one-off clearance End of tenancy. Single-room renovation. Garden clearout. Jobs where the waste is finite and ready — not generated over time.
When Long-Term Hire Is the Better Option
Standard skip hire wins when:
You've got private land If the skip can sit on your driveway, in your yard, or inside a site compound — no permit needed. That changes the maths completely.
The job runs over several days You're not going to generate all the waste in one morning. You need somewhere to throw stuff as you go. A skip on site makes life easier.
Multiple trades are involved Different people working different days, all generating waste. Having a skip there for the duration keeps things simple.
The volume is unpredictable You're not 100% sure how much waste there'll be. A skip on site gives you flexibility to fill it as you go rather than guessing upfront.
You need a bigger size Wait and load is usually limited to smaller skips (up to 8 or 12 yards depending on the supplier). If you need a 14 or 16 yard, long-term hire is likely your only option.
How to Decide: Quick Checklist
Ask yourself:
- Is all my waste ready to load right now?
- Do I have private land to put a skip on?
- Am I in a CPZ or permit-heavy area?
- Is this a one-off clearance or an ongoing job?
- How much waste am I dealing with?
If you answered:
- Waste ready + no private land + permit area → Wait and load
- Ongoing job + private land + larger volume → Long-term hire
If you're still unsure, give us a call and we'll help you figure out which option makes sense for your situation.
What About Cost?
We're not going to quote specific prices here because it depends on your postcode, skip size, and how long you need it.
But here's the general principle:
Wait and load can work out cheaper when you factor in the permit and bay suspension fees you'd otherwise pay. You're paying for convenience and avoiding council costs.
Long-term hire can work out cheaper when you've got private land and need flexibility over several days.
The "cheapest" option depends on your situation — not just the base price of the skip.
What Sizes Are Available?
Whether you're booking wait and load or long-term hire, we offer skips from 2 yards up to 16 yards.
- 4 yard — small clearances, bathrooms, single rooms
- 6-8 yard — most popular for renovations and house clearances
- 10-12 yard — larger projects, multiple rooms, garden overhauls
- 14-16 yard — big jobs, full property clearances, construction sites
Not sure what size you need? We can help you work it out based on the job.
Ready to Book?
Whether you need a skip dropped off for a week or a wait and load sorted for tomorrow morning, we've got you covered across London.
Book online: Skip Hire London – 2 to 16 Yard
Or give us a call: 0204 638 2307
One conversation. We'll figure out the right option, give you a price, and get it booked.