At Morley Skips, we know that adding extra space to your home can be an exciting undertaking; whether that’s an additional bedroom, a kitchen-dining room, or a full-width rear extension. We also understand that extensions generate a surprising amount of waste; anything from dug-out soil from foundations, broken slabs, bricks, timber off-cuts, plasterboard, packaging and general clutter from the strip-out. If you don’t plan how to handle it, waste can slow the project considerably and push your schedule way off course. This is where our services come in: fast delivery, reliable collections and the right container for every stage of your build, across Essex and Suffolk.
Below is a clear, practical guide, drawn from how we support homeowners every day, to help when it comes to hiring a skip for your home extension project.
Start With A Simple Waste Plan
Before the first wall comes down, create a roadmap of all the milestones that will create waste. Knowing what’s to come will help when it comes to hiring a skip for your home extension project.
To ensure you select the right size removal options, time container exchanges, and never have anyone waiting for an empty skip, you must:
- Strip-out and demolition: doors, old units, tiles and small amounts of masonry.
- Groundworks: soil, sub-base, hardcore and old patios or paths.
- Roof: timber and insulation.
- Finishes: cardboard, plastics, trims and final clear-up.
Picking The Right Size (And Type) Of Container
At Morley Skips, we supply a full range of options to suit homes with driveways, tight streets and everything in between. If you’re unsure, tell us about your project and how to access your site, and we’ll recommend the best option for your timeline.
- 2-6 yard skips
Handy for early strip-out and light demolition when space is tight. Good for small bathroom/utility knock-throughs and mixed light waste.
- 8 yard skips
The most popular sizes for home extensions. These containers will comfortably take a moderate mix of brick, rubble and general waste.
- Grab Hire (muck away)
Perfect for when you’ve got a single heap of waste or restricted access. Our grab lorries can carry up to 15 tonnes and the 10-metre arm can lift over fences and walls. Ideal for locations where a skip drop isn’t practical.
- Roll On Roll Off (RORO) Containers
If your extension is part of a wider renovation which will be generating a lot of waste, a RORO Container (20-40 yards) would reduce the number of exchanges, provided there’s room on site.
Placement, Access And Permits
When hiring a skip for your home extension project, even a little preparation can avoid costly delays. A full list of placement requirements can be viewed here, but below are some of the essentials:
- Access width: aim for at least 2.9 m clear width for our lorries to manoeuvre safely.
- Ground: choose a firm, level spot and protect paving or grass beforehand if needed.
- Overhead hazards: check for cables and low branches.
- Gates & vehicles: leave gates unlocked and keep the approach clear on delivery and collection days.
- Roadside placement: if the skip must go on the road, most councils require a permit. We can usually help to arrange this (permit charges apply). For road placements, a 6 yard skip is typically the maximum. Lights and cones can be supplied, and you’ll usually need around two weeks’ notice for the permit approval to come through. If permits are awkward, consider choosing grab hire instead.
What Can Go In (And What Can’t)
If you’re unsure about an item, please call 01621 815 287 before loading. We can arrange specialised skips and RORO containers for prohibited items, including asbestos and other hazardous waste.
You are fine to include: bricks, blocks, rubble, soil and stones, timber, metal, plastic, glass and cardboard.
Not allowed in a general skip:
- Sofas and other upholstered items
- Asbestos and hazardous materials
Tips For Skips
Overloaded or unsafe skips can’t be lifted legally, and we will have to ask you to take out items before removal if the contents are past an approved level. If you think that you’ll need another container, ring us early and we’ll schedule an exchange. Our standard hire is 14 days, with extended time available if you need it. If you finish early, call, and we’ll collect as soon as we can.
Here are some tips on how to load safely and maximise space.
- Level loads only: nothing higher than the top rim of the skip.
- Heavy first: spread weight across the base with concrete, bricks and soil.
- Break down bulky items: old units, doors, and frames take less space if reduced.
- Don’t move the skip: once placed, leave it where it is; call us if it needs relocating.
- Keep access clear: on collection or exchange day, please ensure that vehicles aren’t blocking the approach.
Timing Your Exchanges Around The Build
Most extensions follow the same schedule:
- Groundworks: a quick fill of heavy waste. Consider grab hire for spoil and hardcore; it’s often faster and can be better value than several small skips.
- General and building waste: a steadier flow of mixed waste. 8-10 yard skips will suit most builds, but choosing a 12-14 yard skips will suit most build projects, but leaves extra space for anything accounted for.
- Final clear-up: a 6 yard skip or skip bag will usually tidy up the last bits of packaging and off-cuts.
Sustainability Built In
All skips collected by Morley Skips are delivered to our dedicated waste transfer station. There, waste is inspected, passed through a trommel to remove fines, and hand-sorted on the picking line so that recoverable materials are diverted from landfill. This will help to keep your project’s environmental footprint lower, without adding any extra cost.
Helpful Extras
We understand that hiring a skip for your home extension project can come with its challenges. Project timescales can change, and should your dates move, we are happy to accommodate these alterations wherever possible (charges may apply). Simply discuss the project with our friendly team, and we’ll align deliveries and exchanges to coincide with your build programme.
In addition, you may want to consider:
- Lockable skips for additional security and easier loading
- Temporary fencing to cordon off waste areas in family homes
- Combined services: we can deliver aggregates (sand, gravel, topsoil, 6F5) and collect waste as part of the same programme
- Advice on permits and access so that everything is ready on the day
Why Choose Morley Skips For Your Extension?
- Over 25 years’ experience supporting homeowners
- Reliable delivery and collections, usually within 48 hours
- A full range of options: skips, skip bags, grab hire and RORO
- Friendly, knowledgeable team to recommend the best fit for your project
- Licensed in-house waste transfer station
- Transparent advice on permits, access and safe loading
For more information, please call one of our friendly team on 01621 815 287 or book online here.
