Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and a list of jobs that has been growing for months: the shed, the spare room, that pile of old pavers behind the garage. A weekend project is the perfect time to finally get on top of it, and a small skip bin is often the easiest way to make the rubbish disappear when you’re done.
Here’s what you need to know to get the right small skip, avoid surprise fees and finish the job without a single trip to the tip.
What counts as a “small” skip bin?
Most Australian suppliers class bins from about 2 to 4 cubic metres as small. To put that in perspective, a 2m³ bin holds roughly the same as two to three box-trailer loads, and a 4m³ bin is closer to five or six.
- 2m³: a single room declutter, a small garden tidy-up or clearing out a laundry.
- 3m³: a bathroom strip-out, a shed clean-out or a medium garden job.
- 4m³: a small kitchen reno, a garage clean-out or a combination of jobs.
Not sure which one you need? Our guide to choosing the right skip bin size walks you through it.
Why a small skip beats the trailer
Borrowing a trailer sounds cheap until you add up fuel, tip fees, your time and the back-breaking job of unloading it again. A skip lets you load as you go, at your own pace, and someone else takes it away when you’re finished. We’ve compared the costs in skip bins vs trailer runs.
Plan your weekend in four steps
- Book early in the week. Weekend delivery slots fill fast, especially in spring and summer. Booking by Wednesday gives you the best choice of suppliers and prices.
- Pick your spot. Choose a flat, hard surface with easy truck access, usually the driveway. If the bin has to go on the verge or road, check with your local council first, as a permit may be needed.
- Sort before you load. Pull out anything that can be donated, sold or recycled. You’ll free up space in the bin and give your stuff a second life.
- Know what can’t go in. Asbestos, paint, gas bottles, batteries, tyres, electronics and chemicals are almost always banned. Check the supplier’s list before you start.
Loading tips that save space (and money)
- Break down boxes and flat-pack furniture.
- Put heavy, flat items on the bottom and fill the gaps with smaller rubbish.
- Never fill above the rim. Overfilled bins can’t legally be transported, and you may be charged extra or asked to remove the excess.
What does a small skip cost?
Prices vary by location, bin size, waste type and hire length, so the best way to know is to compare. Two quotes for the same bin in the same suburb can be surprisingly different, which is exactly why we built SkipSaver.
Compare skip bin quotes in minutes
SkipSaver lets you compare prices from local skip bin suppliers and book online in a few clicks. No phone tag, no guesswork. Get your free quotes now.