Knowing you need a skip bin is the easy part. Knowing what size skip you need is a different story. There’s a lot of information you need to know to, off the top of your head, pick the skip bin size that will cater to your needs. There are also a number of factors to consider. It can feel a bit overwhelming, and bringing down that overwhelm is part of our job. To help, our first suggestion is that you call us! We are here, ready to help you every step of the way. However, we also wanted to give you a reference you can easily refer to when you’re needing a skip bin. Here’s our tips on deciphering the right size skip bin for your waste.
The first factors to consider when deciding on your skip bin size
What is the scale of the waste?
Some people need skip bins to just clear out their garage, others need it to clean out entire homes or large scale construction sites. The amount of waste needed to manage is often the first thought, reasonably, when deciding on a skip bin. This usually being: more waste = bigger bin. And, to a degree, this is true. If you’re unsure about how to gauge your waste against cubic metres (which, we agree, can be difficult if you aren’t familiar with the metric in order to visualise the space), we strongly encourage calling us directly to discuss what you need the skip for. More often than not, we’ll have had a customer with similar needs and can direct you to the right skip bin.
What space is available for the skip bin on my property?
While you might now know how big your skip bin needs to be for your waste, it’s also important to now consider if you can fit the skip on your property. This is less of a concern for worksites, though certainly a big issue for residential properties. The skip bin will need a flat, safe surface to be placed on your property, with enough space for not just the bin itself, but also truck and crane to deliver and (literally) pick up the bin. We are able to give you the exact measurements of the skip bin to help you measure out your available space, and choose a bin size from there.
Speaking of the truck…
Access to the property will also be a factor. The truck has to be able to safely park (so have enough space to not be interfering with road traffic), lift the skip over an even and clear surface and lower it down on stead, flat terrain. We are happy to come out to local properties to establish the safety and viability of the space, and adjust waste solutions if required.
How to estimate the right bin size based on project
Kitchen and kitchen demolition/renovation
Kitchen and bathroom sizes can vary. The waste generated during these renovation projects usually includes things like cabinets, countertops, baths, basins, possibly a stove and dishwasher, flooring, wall tiles, and the packaging that your new materials were delivered in.
Let's assume your or bathroom kitchen is a typical one with a few sets of cabinets, a sink, shower and a stove. In this case, you'll likely find that a 4 cubic metre skip bin (each) is sufficient. We suggest using a 3-5 cubic metre for smaller bathrooms kitchens (sub 20sqm), or galley kitchens and ensuites, and 4-6 cubic metre skip bins for larger kitchens and bathrooms (over 20sqm).
Moving house
Moving house can lead to a considerable amount of unwanted belongings that you might want to discard, including bigger items such as couches, beds, and large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, as well as smaller items that have accumulated over time. I can be quite a substantial clean-up! For situations like these, we suggest opting for a skip bin in the range of 6 to 15 cubic metres. However, smaller homes or apartments could require a 4 cubic metre bin.
Deceased Estate
Clearing out the home of a loved one who has passed is a difficult and emotional experience. To support a smooth process of organising the waste a home accumulates over time, we go above and beyond to help you be well prepared. With that, we suggest a larger skip bin to account for any surprise finds or unconsidered waste items.
In our experience, 15 cubic metre skips (or sometimes our 30 cubic metre skips) are the best for these jobs. This provides ample space for the various items that might need to be discarded, giving you a clear area to properly manage the belongings to be kept in honouring the memory of your loved one.
If you’re looking for a skip bin, explore our range of sizes to help you decide on the right option for you. Or, call us today to discuss a waste solution to match your needs.