Find a Tradesman

How to hire a skip

During a primary renovation job in the house or the garden, you often end up with a lot of waste. When it comes to a large quantity, it is not practical to drive up and down to the recycling centre yourself. Therefore, renting a waste container is a brilliant idea, but how does that work, renting a container? Where do you need to go to rent a box, and what should you do?

Save on rental costs and rent a skip nearby:

The price for removing and processing your waste is virtually the same for every container rental company. The most significant price difference is more in transport costs. So for placing and collecting your skip. To keep a container's costs as low as possible, our advice is to rent a box from a company near you. Which landlords are located in your area? 

Determine which format you need:

If you are going to rent a construction container, you must indicate how many cubic meters the box must be. For example, a three m³, six m³ or ten m³ construction container. What content do you need? That depends on your job or renovation. Most people usually rent a six m³ rubble container. But if you want to renovate a small bathroom, a three m³ waste container may be enough. We recommend that you estimate the number of cubic meters of waste you expect to dispose of. It prevents you from having to have a second container installed, which in turn entails additional costs. Are you unsure about the size and content of the container? You can then ask advice from the container company or someone you know who has recently rented a waste container for a similar renovation.

As expected, you can also keep in mind that one m³ (1,000 litres) can hold about ten wheelbarrows. We then assume a wheelbarrow with a capacity of 100 litres.

Know which waste you want to dispose of and what is allowed in the container:

Each type of waste has its rate. Clean debris consisting of neat pieces of stone and tile is relatively inexpensive. But if you will dispose of contaminated soil or roof waste, you will pay a much higher rate for the same amount of garbage. Why is that? That's because processing costs depend on the type of waste. Therefore, it is essential to make an inventory in advance of which kinds of waste you wish to dispose of with a construction and demolition waste container.

Check carefully with the container company what exactly is allowed in the container. Are you renting a construction container for construction and demolition waste? Then only throw away this type of waste, such as rubble, wood, glass, plaster and household goods. Do you also have some garden soil and stumps that you want to get rid of? Don't just throw this in your construction and demolition waste container. Because you collect different types of waste in the box, the waste flows are polluted and classified in a higher waste rate. Are you unsure about a specific kind of waste you want to dispose of with your rented waste container? Then call the rental company, so that you will not be faced with surprises.

Check how long the waste container can remain:

How long do you need the box? Are you looking for a debris container for one day, or do you want the construction bin to stand for a few weeks or even a few months? It differs per container company how long you can use the construction bucket for. For example, at Company A, you rent a container for a maximum of 2 weeks. But at Company B you can leave the waste container standing for three months. So compare container companies not only on price but also on rental terms and other conditions.

Do you have a long-term renovation planned? Then ask the rental company how long you can use the container. Also, check with your municipality whether you can place the building box near your home for a more extended period. Especially if you are going to put the container on a public road, such as in a parking lot, it is advisable to notify your municipality. It is also too good to inform your neighbours that a construction container will be placed in the street. We also recommend covering the container with a pool cover if you plan to install a container for an extended period.

Ask how the container should be paid:

Order and pay for a container directly online or prefer to arrange it by phone. In any case, it is good to know in advance how and when the construction and demolition waste container must be paid for. Ask the rental company in advance how to pay and also the amount. Check whether this amount includes transport and processing of the waste. It is also advisable to ask about possible additional costs such as pollution, damage to the container, weekend surcharges, cancellation costs and an overfull container.

Rent the waste container on time:

Do you want to start DIY, demolition and renovation on a Saturday? Let the container advance for a day or two. This way, you can be sure that you have access to a waste container during your work. It is also possible to have a construction and demolition waste container placed on the day when you start DIY. But you never know for sure in which part of the day the container will be placed. You can indicate your preference, but container rental companies do not guarantee this because a schedule can always change due to, for example, heavy traffic or a truck that has a breakdown.

Rent and order the construction container on time, so this prevents stress during the renovation. It is better if you have a waste container ready a few days before you start renovating. So you don't have to worry about when the container will be placed at the start of your job or renovation.

Fill the waste container to a maximum of 20 cm above the edge:

How full can the waste container be? In general, container companies state as a rule that a maximum of ahead of 20 centimetres may protrude above the edge. It is important that the protruding debris protrudes only at the top and not at the sides, for road safety reasons. Also, the waste must be firmly attached so that the truck can transport the container safely. Ask the container company in advance how far your waste may protrude above the edge. This way, you avoid that additional costs may be charged for collecting the waste container.

Check whether you need a permit:

Do you place a container on your site? Such as in your driveway or your garden. Then you do not need a permit. Would you like to have the waste container placed on municipal lands, such as in a public parking lot? Then we recommend that you obtain information from your municipality regarding the need for a permit. In addition to the fact that you may need a permit, your municipality can also charge a sidewalk tax when you use the public road, such as a parking space.

Keep space free for the construction and demolition waste container:

Most containers will fit in a parking lot. But you need more space than one parking space, that is when the parking spaces are parallel to the road. It is because the truck needs three parking spaces to place and collect the waste container. Make sure that this space is available when placing and collecting the box. Tip, cordon off the parking spaces with pawns.

You are responsible for the container:

The container company owns the container, but the tenant is responsible for the waste container at almost all companies during the rental period. It means that the costs will be recovered from you as a tenant in the event of damage or theft to the container.

You are also responsible for where the container will be placed. Therefore, it is your task to create enough space so that the waste container can be appropriately placed. You must also ensure that the truck can reach it properly when collecting the box. If this is not the case, you pay the company for an 'empty ride'.

You are the owner of the waste that is in the container. Even if this is waste that you have not thrown in the box, make sure the construction container is closed with a tarpaulin if you want to prevent other people from dumping trash into it.

Finally, the responsibility for applying for a permit also lies with you as a tenant. In most cases, you do not need a permit or municipal permission. But our advice is to investigate this in time and apply for the permit in time if necessary.