Is hiring a skip for a day worth it?

If you’re got a quick clear-out project coming up, you might be wondering whether you can hire a skip for a day. The short answer is yes, but there are a few important things you’ll need to consider before booking a one-day skip hire.

In this blog, we explore everything you need to know about one-day skip hire – including when it’s practical, what it costs, permit rules, and the best alternatives for short-term waste removal.

Can you really hire a skip for just one day?

Technically, yes, you can arrange short-term skip hire for a single day, particularly if you’re placing the skip on private land such as your driveway, garden, or construction site. But a single-day hire isn’t always the most practical or cost-effective option.

Most skip hire companies, including McCarthy Marland, operate on flexible hire periods that allow you to keep the skip for any length of time from a few days up to one month. This gives you time to load your waste steadily and ensures you’re getting full value out of your hire. 

One-day hire can work well if you’re completing a quick clear-out job and have everything already piled up and ready to go. But if you’re still sorting, stripping out, or tidying as you go, a slightly longer hire will probably suit your needs better, and doesn’t necessarily cost much more.

When does one-day skip hire make sense?

There are certain times when hiring a skip for a day is the best option. For example:

• Garden or garage clear-outs if you’re already sorted your waste into piles and just need it gone in one go
• Commercial or site projects where you have a team available to quickly load the skip before moving onto the next phase of work
• Event waste removal for festivals, temporary installations, or pop-up events where you need to clear waste fast

If you’ve got the labour and the waste ready to go, then short-term skip hire could be a practical choice. But if not, it’s usually better to plan for a few days’ use to give yourself breathing room.

Skip permits and restriction

If you’re placing your skip on a public road or shared area, you’ll need to obtain a skip permit from your local council. We can handle this process for you and apply for the permit on your behalf, but it’s worth noting that it can take several days for your permit to be approved and they’re often valid for 1-4 weeks (not a single day!).  

One-day roadside skip hire is not usually feasible because it simply isn’t possible to get same-day approval. And if you place a skip on public land without a valid permit, you could face a fine of up to £1,000 – so you can’t afford to skip this step.

If your skip is on private property, however, you don’t need a permit at all. One-day skip hire is possible in this case, provided you’re ready to fill the skip quickly.

Typical skip hire durations and costs

Most of our customers hire a skip for around 7-14 days, but we do offer shorter and longer options too. Our hire periods are extremely flexible to fit your schedule.

So, how much does short-term skip hire cost? The price depends on various factors such as the size of the skip, your location, and the type of waste you’re disposing of. Hiring a skip for just one day won’t necessarily reduce the cost, as collection and delivery are the biggest expenses. Keeping your skip for a few extra days usually offers better value. 

If you’re unsure which skip size or skip rental duration suits your needs, check out our guide to choosing the right skip, or get in touch with our friendly team. We’ll provide clear and upfront advice about skip hire pricing and which skip will offer the best value for your project.

What are the alternatives to one-day skip hire?

If you need waste removed quickly and don’t want a skip left on site, our wait and load skip hire is the perfect solution. You can book a skip for a short window (typically between 30 to 45 minutes), making it an excellent choice for lunchtime clear-outs, tight turnaround projects, or city sites with parking restrictions.

Our driver arrives with the skip, waits while you or your team load the waste, and then drives it away immediately once it’s full. It’s a fast, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional skip hire – especially for busy locations where permits are difficult to obtain or time is limited.

Short-term skip hire made simple with McCarthy Marland

Whether you need a small mini skip for a garden clear-out project or a larger container for commercial construction work, we provide a complete skip hire service to suit every need. We offer a wide range of skip sizes, flexible hire durations, and permit management, so you can focus on your project while we handle the rest.

Book your skip using our online form today.

FAQs

Can I hire a skip for a single day?

Yes, you can, especially if the skip is being placed on private land such as a driveway or building site. Many customers choose a one-day hire when carrying out a quick renovation or small home clearance. 

Is one-day skip hire cheaper?

Not necessarily. Skip hire costs are primarily based on delivery, collection, and disposal fees, so reducing the skip rental duration to one day doesn’t always lower the total price. However, it can still be good value if you only need a skip briefly and can load it quickly.

Do I need a permit for one-day skip hire?

If your skip will be positioned on a public road, you will need a council permit – even for one-day hire. Unfortunately, permits can take several days to arrange, which makes same-day use impractical. If the skip is on private land, though, you won’t need a permit.

What’s the minimum skip hire period?

Our minimum skip hire period at McCarthy Marland is flexible. You can hire a skip for just one day, a couple of weeks, or a month depending on your project timeline. We’ll work around your needs to make sure your skip is delivered and collected exactly when you need it.

What if I finish loading my skip early?

If you complete your job ahead of schedule, simply contact us to arrange an early collection. We’ll pick up your skip as soon as possible to keep your space clear. Whether your project takes a day or a week, we’ll ensure the process runs smoothly from start to finish.