How to Save on Your Waste Removal Project
Are you planning a big cleanout or renovation project and need to get rid of a lot of rubbish?
Hiring a skip bin can make the waste management process quick and easy. But how much does skip bin hire actually cost?
The cost of hiring a skip bin depends on several consideration including the size of the bin, the component being disposed of, how long you need the skip for, and additional services.
Prices can be from around $200 for a small 2 square metre bin up to $1500 or more for a large 20 cubic metre industrial skip bin.
In this guide, skip bin professionals break down the key consideration that influence skip bin price so you know exactly what to expect when booking your skip.
How Skip Bin Hire Costing Works
There are 5 main elements that make up the total cost with additional cost of a wide range of skip bin rental:
- Bin size – The larger the bin, the higher the hire rate. A 2m3 skip costs less than a 10m3 builder’s skip.
- Type of Waste– General waste is cheapest. Prices are higher for restricted stuff like concrete or green junk.
- Rental duration– Daily hire rates apply. The longer you keep the affordable skip, the more it will cost.
- Delivery & collection – Fees and council permits are charged to drop off and pick up the bin.
Skip companies determine their prices based on these factors. While rates can vary between suppliers, the costing structure is generally the same.
Skip Bin Sizes
Skip bins come in different standard sizes from 2m3 skips up to huge 20m3 industrial bins. The most common sizes for residential and commercial skip bin are:
- 2m3 – Holds 1.5 tonnes (skip)
- 3m3 – Holds 2 tonnes
- 4m3 – Holds 3 tonnes
- 6m3 – Holds 4.5 tonnes
- 8m3 – Holds 6 tonnes (builders skip)
- 10m3 – Holds 8 tonnes
The bigger the bin, the higher the rental rate. This allows the skip company to recover their costs for providing a larger skip bin.
As a guide, you can expect to pay around:
- 2m3 skip – $150 to $250
- 4m3 skip – $230 to $370
- 6m3 skip – $270 to $450
- 8m3 builders skip – $350 to $550
- 10m3 skip – $400 to $650
However prices will vary between companies. Getting prices from multiple skip bin suppliers is recommended.
Type of Rubbish & Costing
The type of rubbish you’re disposing of can also impact skip bin prices. Here are the main waste categories:
- General waste – The cheapest type. This includes household junk, office waste, packaging etc.
- Green waste – Green clippings, tree branches etc. Usually costs a little more than general waste.
- Timber waste – Untreated timber offcuts. Generally priced similarly to general waste.
- Concrete & brick waste – Leftover concrete, bricks, tiles and other building components. Slightly higher priced.
- Mixed/heavy junk – A general skip with a mix of dense waste eg soil, rubble etc. Can be more expensive.
- Asbestos – Needs special asbestos skip and licenced removalist. More expensive again.
The heavier types like concrete, soil and asbestos come with higher fees, which gets passed onto the customer through higher skip bin rental rates.
Always check what component can and can’t be placed in your skip bin. Disposing of prohibited waste can lead to contamination fees.
Delivery & Management Charges
There are costs involved for the skip company to deliver your empty skip bin to the site, and return later to collect it filled with waste.
These fees can start from $50 to $150 depending on your location.
Multi-drop fees can apply if the truck has to visit multiple sites. Fees are usually based on standard pick up times, with out of hours and weekend pick ups costing more.
Limits & Excess Fees
Skip bins have a maximum limit. This helps control road safety risks and landfill disposal costs.
- 2m3 skip – 1.5 tonnes
- 4m3 skip – 3 tonnes
- 6m3 skip – 4.5 tonnes
- 8m3 skip – 6 tonnes
- 10m3 skip – 8 tonnes
If your loaded skip exceeds the limit when weighed at the site, you may be charged an additional excess fee. This can be around $150 to $300 per tonne over the limit.
Keeping your load under the limit avoids any extra fees. Let the skip company know if you expect a dense or heavy waste load so they can allow for this in their costing.
Key Factors That Affect Skip Bin Prices
To summarise, the main factors that influence total skip bin rental costs are:
- Bin size – price increases with larger bin capacity
- Type – general waste is cheapest, difficult waste costs more
- Rental duration – longer rentals offer better value per day
- Management – fees apply for drop off and pick up
- Excess heaviness– staying under bin limits avoids extra charges
Now that you understand how skip bin pricing works, you can get accurate cost estimates when hiring a skip for your project.
Average Skip Bin Costs in Australia
Skip bin hire rates can vary significantly across different companies and regions in Australia. However these are typical average national prices:
Skip Bin Average Price
2m3 Skip $150 – $250
3m3 Skip $190 – $300
4m3 Skip $230 – $370
6m3 Skip $270 – $450
8m3 Builders Skip $350 – $550
10m3 Skip $400 – $650
12-20m3 Industrial Skip $500 – $1500+
*Prices areapproximate only and subject to change. Based on rates from major national skip companies as of October 2023. Always request current prices for exact costing.
The cheapest starts around $150 to $190. At the higher end, large 20 square metre industrial skip bins can cost $1500 or more to hire based on waste volumes.
Region, time of year, landfill fees and local demand influence prices across different parts of Australia. Hiring during peak hire duration like after Christmas can be more expensive.
To get the best value on your skip bin rental, compare prices from at least 3 companies in your area.
The Convenience of Skip Bins
While hiring a skip bin does come at a cost, it offers a convenient and efficient solution for large volumes of waste.
Skip bins keep all your project debris neatly contained ready for fast pick up, rather than multiple trips to the tip. No more junk piled up on site for weeks.
When used for home renovations or office refits, skips can be placed right outside the work site for easy access. Forklifts allow the truck driver to conveniently empty and return the bin without fuss.
For residential clean outs or garden overhauls, a skip bin keeps all that accumulated rubbish tidy, while saving your back from dozens of trips carrying heavy junk and mulch to the car.
Given the time and effort a skip bin saves compared to DIY waste management, paying for skip hire is money well spent on most large jobs.
Key Takeaways: What Does Skip Bin Hire Cost?
- Prices depend on bin size, type, rental period and limits
- A 2m3 mini skip starts around $150 while a large 20m3 skip may cost $1500+
- Allow for collection fees of around $50 to $150 per drop-off/pick-up
- Long term weekly or monthly hire offers the best value for money
- Check for limit excess fees if overloading the bin
- Get multiple quotes and compare costs from local skip companies
- Ask about discounts and specials to help minimise your skip hire spend
With careful planning and a competitive price, hiring a skip needn’t be overly expensive for residential or commercial waste management projects. When convenience, speed and minimised on-site rubbish are factored in, skip bins can be great option and value for money on your next clean out or renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest skip bin size?
The cheapest bin is generally the 2m3 mini skip, which can start from around $150 to hire. However a 2m3 skip has limited to 1.5 tonnes, so it suits smaller waste loads only. Often a 4m3 skip provides the best value for money for general home cleanouts and renovation items.
How much waste fits in a 6m3 skip?
A 6m3 skip bin can hold approximately 4.5 tonnes in weight, which equals around 6-8 cubic metres in volume. This allows for a significant amount of waste material from activities like home renovations, office refits, or retail/warehouse clearances.
Can you put grass clippings in a skip bin?
Most skip companies do allow branch clippings and green garden waste to be placed into a general skip bin. However they may impose some limitations, such as requiring the leaves to be dried out first or not compromising more than 20% of the bin contents. Some companies may charge a slightly higher rate for green waste skips. Always check with your provider.
What can’t you put in a skip bin?
There are certain hazardous or highly regulated stuff that are prohibited from collection in a standard skip bin. These include asbestos, liquid waste, paint, tyres, gas cylinders and car batteries. Special procedures must be followed for these waste types. All other non-hazardous residential, commercial or construction waste is normally accepted.
How much does it cost to hire a skip for a week?
For a standard 4 cubic metre builder’s skip, the typical cost for a one week rental period is around $350 to $550 including delivery and collection fees. However, prices vary across regions and companies.
Conclusion
With the costs and variables involved, determining an accurate skip bin hire price for your project can seem tricky.
Follow our tips to minimise the costs through careful planning and comparisons.
With waste removal skip bins proving their worth time and again for renovators, cleaners and contractors, a well-priced local skip can be your project MVP.
So take the stress out of your next big rubbish removal job.
Grab a quick customised quote from a few trusted skip businesses in your area and the best value skip bin for the job will be just a call away.
