The Complete Skip Size Guide: 2 to 16 Yard - What Actually Fits
Ordering the wrong size skip is like buying shoes online - costly when you get it wrong. Too small? You're paying for a second skip. Too big? You've wasted money on air. After sorting thousands of skips across London sites, here's exactly what fits in each size and when to use them.
The Quick Answer Guide
Before we dive deep, here's what you're looking for:
- 2-4 yard: Compact jobs - bathrooms, small gardens, heavy materials
- 6-8 yard: Standard renovations - the builder's favourite
- 10-12 yard: House clearances - furniture, general waste
- 14-16 yard: Major projects - full demolitions, commercial sites
2 Yard Skip: The Bathroom Special
What fits: 20-25 bin bags Dimensions: 6ft x 4ft x 2ft Perfect for:
- Single bathroom strip-out
- Garden clean-up project
- Patio or driveway breaking
- Small DIY jobs
Real job example: Removing a bathroom suite plus tiles fills this perfectly. Toilet, sink, bath, tiles, and the old flooring - job done.
Space saving: Smallest skip available. Fits on a single parking space or tucked in a front garden.
4 Yard Skip: The Kitchen Classic
What fits: 30-40 bin bags Dimensions: 6ft x 4ft x 3ft Perfect for:
- Kitchen renovation waste
- Small extension work
- Garage clear-outs
- Multiple room carpet removal
Real job example: Standard kitchen rip-out including units, worktops, tiles, and appliances. Add the packaging from new units and you're at capacity.
Money tip: Most popular skip in London for a reason - perfect for residential jobs. Fits two parking spaces, councils know the size, permits approved faster.
6 Yard Skip: The Builder's Workhorse
What fits: 50-60 bin bags Dimensions: 10ft x 5ft x 3ft Perfect for:
- Full room renovations
- Loft conversions
- Shop refits
- Two bathroom refurbs
Real job example: Complete bedroom renovation including flooring, plasterboard, old furniture, and packaging. The go-to for most residential jobs.
Access note: Last skip size that fits through standard site gates. Anything bigger needs 10ft clearance.
8 Yard Skip: The Site Standard
What fits: 60-80 bin bags Dimensions: 12ft x 5.5ft x 4ft Perfect for:
- Ground floor extensions
- Large renovation projects
- Multiple room clearances
- Commercial strip-outs
Real job example: Two-room knock-through including all partition walls, flooring, ceiling, and fixtures. Perfect for mixed renovation waste.
Placement tip: Needs proper hardstanding. Best on driveways or reinforced surfaces.
10 Yard Skip: The Clearance Champion
What fits: 80-100 bin bags Dimensions: 12ft x 6ft x 4.5ft Perfect for:
- House clearances
- Office clear-outs
- Garden landscaping projects
- Bulky furniture disposal
Real job example: Three-bed house clearance including furniture, carpets, and general household waste. Great for decluttering projects.
Volume advantage: When you need space, not weight capacity. Perfect for bulky items that take up room.
12 Yard Skip: The Clearance King
What fits: 100-120 bin bags Dimensions: 12ft x 6ft x 5.5ft Perfect for:
- Full property clearances
- Large office relocations
- Retail refit waste
- Multiple flat clearances
Real job example: Complete office floor strip-out - desks, partitions, carpets, suspended ceiling tiles. Perfect for bulky but light materials.
Permit note: Some London boroughs class this as "large skip" with different permit requirements. Check with your council.
14 Yard Skip: The Volume Monster
What fits: 120-140 bin bags Dimensions: 14ft x 6.5ft x 6ft Perfect for:
- Major clearance projects
- Warehouse clear-outs
- Large scale renovations
- Multiple property jobs
Real job example: Small warehouse clearance or complete shop refit including all fixtures, fittings, and stock packaging.
Access requirement: Needs serious space - 20ft for drop-off, 14ft width clearance. Not for tight residential streets.
16 Yard Skip: Maximum Capacity
What fits: 140-160 bin bags Dimensions: 16ft x 6.5ft x 6.5ft Perfect for:
- Industrial clearances
- Major demolition projects
- Large commercial sites
- Complete building strip-outs
Real job example: Complete restaurant strip-out including kitchen, seating, bar, fixtures. Or timber frame building demolition.
Space reality: This is huge. You need proper access and solid ground. Think commercial sites, not residential drives.
Real Costs You Need to Know
Council permits (we help arrange):
- Residential streets: £35-75
- Main roads: £75-150
- Extended hire: Additional weekly fees
- Weekend permits: Sometimes restricted
The WasteHub advantage:
- One price per skip size
- No weight penalties
- Mix any type of waste
- No hidden charges
- Weekend delivery available
Common Mistakes That Cost You
"It'll compress down" - No it won't. That 12-yard of garden waste isn't fitting in an 8-yard skip.
"We'll break it up smaller" - Broken plasterboard takes MORE space, not less. Broken furniture spreads out more.
"The 16-yard is better value" - Not when it's sitting quarter-full or you can't get permits. Right size beats big size.
"We'll fill it as we go" - Great plan until the skip's full on day 2 of a 5-day job.
Skip Size Decision Formula
Small, heavy jobs (bathrooms, patios): 2-4 yard Standard renovations (kitchens, bedrooms): 6-8 yard
Clearance projects (houses, offices): 10-12 yard Major projects (demolition, commercial): 14-16 yard
What Fits: Real World Comparison
Think of it this way:
- 2 yard = Large car boot x3
- 4 yard = Transit van load
- 6 yard = Luton van load
- 8 yard = Luton van x1.5
- 10 yard = Small lorry load
- 12 yard = 7.5 tonne lorry
- 14 yard = 7.5 tonne x1.5
- 16 yard = Full articulated load
The WasteHub Difference
We've loaded thousands of skips. When you WhatsApp us a photo of your waste, we know exactly what size you need. No guessing, no second skips, no surprise charges.
Why builders choose us:
- Straight pricing - what you see is what you pay
- Any waste type - mix it all, we don't care
- Right size recommendation first time
- Permit assistance included
- Exchange service if you fill faster
- Actually answer the phone at 7am
Need a Skip Today?
Stop calculating bin bags. WhatsApp us a photo of what needs shifting and we'll tell you exactly what size skip you need. Delivery across London, permits sorted, transparent pricing.
WhatsApp: 07949088642
Call: 0208 036 3575
Because the right skip makes the job easier. The wrong one? That's tomorrow's problem becoming today's headache.
