Cost guide
Grab hire prices in the UK
A grab lorry load costs £250 to £400 for a 6-wheeler and £320 to £500 for an 8-wheeler on rent-a-skip's July 2026 figures, and £280 to £380 in London on RubbishBids' July 2026 guide.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. Ask each firm.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| 6-wheel grab, per load | £250 to £400 (rent-a-skip, Jul 2026) |
| 8-wheel grab, per load | £320 to £500 (rent-a-skip, Jul 2026) |
| 4-wheel grab, London (7 to 9 t) | £280 to £380 (RubbishBids, Jul 2026) |
| 6-wheel grab, London (12 to 14 t) | £295 to £330 (RubbishBids, Jul 2026) |
| 8-wheel grab, London (16 to 18 t) | £320 to £380 (RubbishBids, Jul 2026) |
| Inert soil disposal, London | £28 to £45 a tonne (RubbishBids, Jul 2026) |
The figures come from rent-a-skip's national July 2026 guide and RubbishBids' London-weighted July 2026 guide, which overlap but do not match. They are published price guides, not surveys. Ask for the price per load, the lorry's carrying weight and the disposal charge separately.
What moves the price
- Waste type: clean inert soil and rubble is taxed at £8.65 a tonne at landfill, mixed waste at £130.75 a tonne (GOV.UK, from 1 April 2026), so mixed loads cost more.
- Lorry size: an 8-wheel grab carries more per trip, so the price per tonne falls on larger jobs even though each load costs more.
- Bulking: excavated clay swells by about 25% once dug, according to RubbishBids, so a job can need an extra load.
- Region: London prices sit at the upper end of national ranges, according to RubbishBids.
- Access: a long reach, awkward position or waiting time can add to the price.
Who quotes for it
Questions about grab hire
Do I need a permit for grab hire?
Mick George says no skip permit is needed, because the lorry loads and leaves in one visit. If the lorry will block a road for a long time, ask the firm whether the council needs to be told.
How far can a grab lorry reach?
Mick George's grab lorries reach about 7 metres, enough to lift waste over walls, fences and parked obstacles. Reach varies by lorry, so ask the firm and describe where the waste sits.