What size skip bin do I need?
A guide to choosing the right size skip bin for your project
There are lots of different reasons why you might need a skip bin. It’s important to make sure you hire the right size – one that’s too small makes it impossible to dispose of everything.
One that’s too large means you waste money and space. Knowing what size is right can be tricky, so we’ve put together a guide to choosing the right size skip bin for your project.
How much can you fit in each size bin?
The best way to illustrate the capacity of each bin size we offer at Chilli Bins is perhaps by comparing each of our skip bin sizes to standard wheelie bins. Below is a list of the skip bin sizes we offer alongside an approximate equivalent amount of wheelie bins and an example of what might fit in each skip bin.
- 2m³, equivalent to around 8 wheelie bins, ideal for small amounts of green waste, clutter or junk.
- 3m³, equivalent to around 12 wheelie bins, ideal for small amounts of green waste and junk and smaller items of furniture.
- 4m³, equivalent to around 16 wheelie bins, perfect for standard household clean-up jobs including removing furniture or white goods.
- 5m³, equivalent to around 20 wheelie bins, ideal for larger furniture and white goods removal jobs.
- 6m³, equivalent to around 24 wheelie bins, ideal for larger projects including big renovations and the removal of large furniture items and appliances.
- 8m³, equivalent to around 32 wheelie bins, this is a large skip bin for residential renovations and removals and can fit many items of large furniture.
- 10³, equivalent to around 40 wheelie bins, ideal for demolitions, deceased estates, and large-scale building projects.
- 12m³, equivalent to around 48 wheelie bins, is usually used for commercial building and construction projects with very high volumes of waste.
- 15m³, equivalent to around 60 wheelie bins, is the largest skip bin size we offer and is usually used in very large scale commercial construction projects.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Renovations
One common reason for hiring a skip is renovations. The nature of your renovations will affect which skip bin is right for you. Our smallest option, measuring 2 metres squared is ideal for small jobs that generate rubble. A great example is tiling a shower. You won’t generate vast amounts of rubbish doing a job like this but you need a convenient way to get rid of debris.
For larger renovations, for example, refurbishing a small kitchen or bathroom, one of our 3 metres squared skips is a great choice, giving you ample room to dispose of debris. A skip bin of this size can hold the equivalent of between 25 and 35 bin bags, making it ideal for smaller renovation jobs.
If you’re taking on a larger project like renovating a medium-sized room, one of our 5 metres squared skip bins is a great choice. This gives you ample space to dispose of rubble and can hold the equivalent of up to 55 bin bags.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Decluttering
Many people hire a skip if they’re decluttering or clearing out a property, possibly to prepare for moving to a new home. The size of the skip bin that you need depends on how much you’re disposing of. If it’s just one room, a smaller 2 or 3 metres squared skip should be sufficient.
If you’re clearing out the whole house or have large and bulky items, you might need a larger skip. It’s worth looking honestly at how much you need to dispose of so you can make the right decision.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Fit Outs & Commercial Refurbishments
If you’re renovating an entire residential property or working on a commercial refurbishment or shop fit out you’re going to need more space in your skip bin. In these instances, a 6-metre squared skip is a great choice. Skips of this size can handle plenty of heavy waste like concrete and soil so commercial builders often opt for this size.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For House & Office Clearances
For total house or office clearances, or refurbishment work that involves bulky matter, a 10 metres squared or larger skip is likely to be the most appropriate solution. Skips of this size become too heavy if they’re loaded with bricks or concrete, so it’s worthwhile looking at smaller options if this is what you need it for. A 10-metre skip bin is more appropriate for large quantities of lighter waste.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Garden Waste
When it comes to garden waste, the skip bin you need will vary depending on the size of your garden and how much waste you’re going to be disposing of.
The first step is to consider what work you will be doing. If you simply need somewhere to dispose of smaller offcuts like grass cuttings, branches and leaves, then you can choose a smaller skip like our 2m³ or 3m³ options. This will also be suitable if you can compact your waste fairly easily, which would be possible with things like grass or mulch, but not as straightforward with branches and tree stumps.
If you are planning on carrying out more extensive landscaping work like cutting down hedges or removing trees or stumps, then a larger skip like one of our 5m³ or 6m³ will be ideal.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Construction
To choose a skip for construction, you first need to consider what work is actually being done and what waste this is going to produce. For example, if you’re doing a simple bathroom renovation, you’ll need a skip that is big enough to dispose of your current bathroom suite and any tiles and flooring you rip out, so an 8m³ skip could be ideal. For a project that’s much larger, like an extension or where walls are being removed, then a 10m³ will be more suitable.
If you’re in doubt, it’s better to have a bigger skip than to realise at the last minute that you don’t have enough space, so it’s always worth opting for the size above what you think you need.
How To Choose The Right Skip Bin For Demolition
Any demolition work involves a lot of waste material, so you will be better off choosing one of the bigger options available, like our 10, 12 or 15m³ skips. However, speak to the team in charge of the demolition if you’re not sure which one to order – they may even be able to order a suitable skip on your behalf. Again, it’s better to size up if you’re unsure since the last thing you want is to have to halt work because you don’t have enough space to discard the materials.
Factors that affect what size bin you'll need
Before ordering your skip bin, it’s important to think carefully about which skip bin size is right for your project. You’ll want to consider a range of factors, including the size of your project and the space you’ve got for accommodating a skip bin.
Where will you put your skip bin?
One factor you’ll need to consider when choosing a skip bin size is the location of your skip bin. In some smaller residential areas, larger skip bins won’t fit even if your project scale requires a lot of skip bin space. If you can’t fit a larger bin nearby, you may have to opt instead for a smaller skip bin that is emptied more regularly. It’s important to consider not just whether your skip bin will fit, but also whether your skip bin will fit without obstructing traffic, walkways, or other important exits and paths.
How Big Is Your Project?
The size of your project is, ultimately, the biggest deciding factor when it comes to choosing a skip bin size. Smaller skip bins, of 2 to 4m², are ideal for small clean-up jobs such as renovating a room in your home or tidying up your yard. Bigger skip bins are needed for bigger projects, such as household waste, furniture, and construction waste. Commercial-scale projects will require much larger skip bins than most residential projects.
How Long Do You Need The Skip For?
The length of time that your project is going to last could influence the size of the skip that you get. If you’re storing the skip off-site, like on the roadside, it could become a nuisance for your neighbours, so it might be wise to opt for a smaller skip that takes up less room. In this case, you may need to have the skip emptied a few times throughout your project to prevent it from overflowing. If you’re able to keep the skip bin on-site and there is good access to the land it’s being placed on, there’s no reason why you can’t go for a larger skip.
What You Can & Can't Put Into Your Skip
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all waste can be disposed of in a skip bin, including lighting, tyres, televisions, gas cylinders and paint. If you were hoping to put some of these items in your skip bin, then you’ll need to find an alternative solution. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hire a skip bin at all as there are lots of things you can still put in them – you may just need a smaller skip instead. The types of waste that can go in a skip bin include garden waste, carpets, roofing, plastic, white goods and appliances. Learn more in our blog “What can I put in my skip bin?“.
Live On The Sunshine Coast? We Can Help You Choose The Right Skip Bin Size For Your Needs
The team at Chilli Bins are happy to help you choose the right size of skip bin for your project.
We service customers throughout the Sunshine Coast, so call us on 1800 358 955 to discuss your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fits in a cubic metre?
If you’re struggling to get your head around how big a cubic metre actually is, here are some examples of what fits inside one cubic metre of space:
- A washer and a dryer
- 8 standard packing boxes
- 2 bicycles
- A 2-seater sofa
Obviously, it depends on how big your sofa is – but these examples are broadly accurate illustrations of how much space common household goods take up.
What if I get my bin size wrong?
Don’t worry too much if you make a mistake when estimating the bin size you’ll need. We can collect or replace your skip bin at a time that suits you, ensuring that you have all the bin space you need even if your project runs over schedule.
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