Skip Hire in Greater London
Find and compare skip hire companies in Greater London. Browse by town or view all local providers below.
Browse by Town in Greater London
How Much Does Skip Hire Cost In Greater London?
Skip hire prices in Greater London vary depending on several factors, but here are typical price ranges you can expect.
| Size | Capacity | Dimensions | Typical uses | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Skip | 2-3 cubic yards | 4ft x 3ft x 2ft | Small DIY projects, Garden clearance | £100–£200 |
| Midi Skip | 4-5 cubic yards | 5ft x 4ft x 3ft | Kitchen renovation, Medium-sized garden projects | £150–£250 |
| Builders Skip | 6-8 cubic yards | 6ft x 4ft x 4ft | House renovation, Extension work | £200–£350 |
| Large Skip | 10-12 cubic yards | 10ft x 5ft x 4ft | Large construction projects, Major house clearance | £280–£500 |
| Roll-on Roll-off | 20-40 cubic yards | Various sizes | Major construction sites, Industrial waste | £300–£600 |
What Affects Skip Hire Prices In Greater London?
Several factors influence the cost of skip hire across Greater London. Understanding these can help you get the best value for your project.
📏Skip Size
Larger skips cost more upfront, but they often provide better value per cubic yard for bigger projects. A mini skip (2-3 yards) might cost £80-£150, while a builders skip (6-8 yards) costs £150-£250, nearly double the capacity for less than double the price. Choose the right size to avoid needing a second skip later, which would be more expensive overall.
📅Hire Duration
Most skip hire companies in Greater London are flexible with hire duration. Typically, you keep the skip until it's full, then call them to collect it with no extra charge for having it longer than expected. However, some companies do specify a time limit (usually 1-2 weeks) and may charge additional fees if you need it beyond that period. Always check the hire terms when you book, especially for projects where timelines might be uncertain.
♻️Type of Waste
General household waste (furniture, garden waste, light building materials) is the cheapest to dispose of. Heavier or specialist materials like soil, rubble, concrete, bricks, and plasterboard often incur extra charges due to higher disposal costs. Hazardous waste like asbestos, chemicals, batteries, and electrical items usually cannot go in a standard skip and require specialist collection. Always check with your skip hire company about acceptable waste types.
📍Location Within Greater London
Greater London Skip Hire Prices can vary significantly between different towns and areas. Towns with multiple skip hire companies tend to have more competitive pricing. Many skip hire companies operate on postcode zones, with different prices for each zone depending on how far you are from their depot. The further you are, the higher the delivery cost. If your location is difficult to access (narrow lanes, restricted access), the company may not be able to deliver to your exact spot and might ask you to place it elsewhere, or in some cases charge a wasted journey fee if delivery proves impossible.
📋Permit Costs
If your skip needs to be placed on a public road, pavement, or verge, you'll need a permit from your local council. Permit costs vary by local authority within Greater London, typically ranging from £30 to £135 and last 7-14 days. Most councils process permits within 3-5 working days. Your skip hire company will arrange the permit for you if needed and add it onto your cost, but the permit is your responsibility, not the skip hire company's. Find your council's exact permit costs below.
🌤️Time of Year
Demand for skip hire peaks during spring and summer when homeowners tackle spring cleans, garden clearances, renovations, and building projects. During busy periods, you may face higher prices and longer wait times for delivery. Autumn and winter tend to be quieter, which can mean better availability and sometimes more competitive pricing. If your project is flexible, booking during off-peak months could save you money. The quietest months are typically December and January, while the busiest are April (due to spring cleans) and August (when school summer holidays make it easier to do clear-outs).
Do You Need A Permit For Skip Hire in Greater London?
Whether you need a skip permit in Greater London depends on where you plan to place the skip and which local council covers your area. Different councils within Greater London have different permit costs and requirements.
Greater London Skip Permit Costs By Location
| Town | Council | Permit Cost | Duration | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acton | Ealing Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Barking | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Barnet | London Borough of Barnet | £63 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Battersea | Wandsworth Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Bexley | London Borough of Bexley | £40 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Brentford | London Borough of Hounslow | £70 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Brentwood | Brentwood Borough Council | £30 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Brixton | Lambeth Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Bromley | London Borough of Bromley | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Buckhurst Hill | Epping Forest District Council | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Charlton | Royal Borough of Greenwich | £40 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Croydon | Croydon Council | £66 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Dagenham | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Eltham | Royal Borough of Greenwich | £40 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Enfield | London Borough of Enfield | £65 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Greenwich | Royal Borough of Greenwich | £40 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Harrow | Harrow Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Hayes | London Borough of Hillingdon | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Ilford | London Borough of Redbridge | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Isleworth | London Borough of Hounslow | £70 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Kingston | Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames | £60 | 14 days | 5 working days |
| Lewisham | Lewisham Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| London | City of London Corporation | £135 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Mitcham | London Borough of Merton | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Northolt | Ealing Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Orpington | London Borough of Bromley | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Peckham | Southwark Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Rainham | London Borough of Havering | £40 | 7 days | 3 working days |
| Romford | London Borough of Havering | £40 | 7 days | 3 working days |
| Ruislip | London Borough of Hillingdon | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Southall | Ealing Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Stevenage | Stevenage Borough Council | £40 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Streatham | Lambeth Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Sutton | London Borough of Sutton | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Sydenham | Lewisham Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Thornton Heath | Croydon Council | £66 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Twickenham | London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Council | £65 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Uxbridge | London Borough of Hillingdon | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Wandsworth | Wandsworth Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Wembley | Brent Council | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| West Drayton | London Borough of Hillingdon | £75 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| West Wickham | London Borough of Bromley | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Wimbledon | London Borough of Merton | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
| Worcester Park | London Borough of Sutton | £60 | 7 days | 5 working days |
When Do You Need a Skip Permit in Greater London?
You need a permit if:
- The skip will be placed on a public road or pavement
- The skip blocks any part of the road
- The skip is in a parking space or on-street parking space
You don't need a permit if:
- The skip is on your private property (driveway, front garden, etc.)
- The skip is entirely within your property boundary
How Long Does a Skip Permit Last In Greater London?
Skip permits in Greater London typically last 7-14 days depending on the council.
Processing time: 3-5 working days to process your application.
Check the table above for your specific council's permit duration and processing time.
What Can't You Put in a Skip In Greater London?
Certain items are prohibited in skips across the UK for safety, environmental, and legal reasons. Here's what you cannot put in a skip in Greater London:
Hazardous Materials
- Asbestos
- Paint and solvents
- Chemicals and oils
- Batteries (car and household)
- Fluorescent tubes
Electrical & Other
- Fridges and freezers
- TVs and monitors
- Tyres
- Gas bottles
- Medical waste
Special considerations for Greater London:
While prohibited items are consistent across all London boroughs, enforcement intensity varies significantly. Inner London boroughs (Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea) have stricter enforcement and faster response times to reports of prohibited items in skips. Outer London boroughs generally follow the same rules but with less intensive monitoring. The City of London Corporation has particularly stringent requirements due to the density and heritage status of the Square Mile.
What Can You Put in Skips In Greater London?
Most common household and construction waste is acceptable in Greater London Skips:
General Waste
- Household rubbish
- Cardboard & paper
- Plastics
- Textiles
Garden Waste
- Soil and turf
- Branches and logs
- Plants and leaves
- Grass cuttings
Building Materials
- Bricks and concrete
- Wood and timber
- Tiles and ceramics
- Plasterboard
Note: All London boroughs maintain consistent standards for permitted skip contents, aligned with national waste regulations. No borough-specific allowances for special items have been identified.
How To Choose Between Skip Hire Companies In Greater London
Finding the right skip hire company in Greater London is straightforward with our directory. Here's how to choose:
1Select Your Town
Use the Browse by Town section above to select your specific town within Greater London. This ensures you see companies that actually serve your area.
2Browse Available Companies
Each town page shows local skip hire companies (based in that town) plus nearby skip hire companies that serve the area. You'll see all your options in one place, making it easy to compare.
3Check Company Ratings
Every company has ratings across 4 key categories: Delivery, Booking, Recommend, and Price. These ratings are calculated from every single review that mentions these aspects, giving you an accurate picture of what real customers think about each company's performance.
4Verify Waste Acceptance
Check whether the company accepts your specific waste type within the base cost, or if there are additional charges. Some companies charge extra for heavier materials (soil, rubble, concrete), bulky items (fridges, sofas) or electrical items, while others include these in their standard price. Compare pricing between companies to make sure you're happy with any additional charges. See what you can't put in a skip for items that are prohibited.
5Confirm Delivery Availability
Contact companies directly to check availability and get quotes. Ask about delivery times, hire periods, and any additional costs (permits, extended hire, specific waste types).
💡 Tip: Contact 2-3 companies to compare prices and availability. The cheapest quote isn't always the best. Consider reviews, service quality, and reliability too.