Skip hire
Builders skip hire (6 to 8 yard)
An 8 yard builders skip costs £280 to £420 for a 7 to 14 day hire on rent-a-skip's 2026 UK figures, and £160 to £370 on MyJobQuote's September 2026 guide. Rent-a-skip's July 2026 price index found a national median of £331, from £183 around Swansea to £517 around Truro. A 6 yard skip costs £230 to £340 (rent-a-skip) or £120 to £300 (MyJobQuote).
What this covers
Typical price. An 8 yard builders skip costs £280 to £420 for a 7 to 14 day hire on rent-a-skip's 2026 figures, or £160 to £370 on MyJobQuote's (September 2026), with a national median of £331 (July 2026).
Typical jobs
- Kitchen strip-out with old units and plasterboard bagged separately
- Full house renovation stage with rubble, timber and packaging
- Garden landscaping with soil, turf and old paving
- House clearance of boxes and furniture, with sofas collected separately
- Knocking through a wall or removing a chimney breast
What is involved
Builders skips are 6 or 8 cubic yards, the size most firms keep in largest numbers. Mick George lists its 6 yard skip at roughly 2.82m long at the rim, 1.68m wide and 1.22m high, holding 50 to 60 bin bags. Its 8 yard skip is roughly 3.40m by 1.66m by 1.30m, holding 60 to 80 bin bags. All dimensions are approximate.
Rent-a-skip's 2026 guide puts a 6 yard skip at about 54 wheelbarrow loads with a 6 tonne limit, and an 8 yard skip at about 72 wheelbarrow loads with an 8 tonne limit. Weight limits vary by firm and lorry, so confirm the allowance in writing before filling the skip with soil or concrete.
The skip hire page covers the rules.
Choosing a firm
Ask what the quote includes: the hire period, weight allowance, VAT, permit and any exchange price if you need a second skip. Ask how overweight loads are charged (£50 to £150 on rent-a-skip's July 2026 figures) and whether you can have a separate bag for plasterboard.
The skip hire page covers the rules.
Read next
Common questions
How much is an 8 yard skip?
Rent-a-skip's 2026 figures put an 8 yard builders skip at £280 to £420 for a 7 to 14 day hire, with a July 2026 national median of £331. MyJobQuote gives £160 to £370 (September 2026). Permits are extra.
How many bin bags fit in an 8 yard skip?
About 60 to 80 bin bags, according to Mick George and rent-a-skip. Rent-a-skip puts it at about 72 wheelbarrow loads.
What are the dimensions of an 8 yard skip?
Mick George gives roughly 3.40m long at the rim, 1.66m wide and 1.30m high. Rent-a-skip gives roughly 12ft by 6ft by 4ft (3.66m by 1.83m by 1.22m). Sizes vary by maker.
Should I choose a 6 or 8 yard skip?
A 6 yard skip suits heavy waste such as rubble and soil, because it reaches its weight limit at a smaller volume. An 8 yard skip suits mixed renovation and clearance waste. Rent-a-skip's 2026 ranges are £230 to £340 and £280 to £420.