Skip and RORO Sizes for Manchester Projects
Pick the right skip for your Manchester job, whether a compact 4-yard or a 16-yard for bulky waste, and don't pay for room you won't fill.
Nothing keeps a clear-out on budget quite like getting the skip size right. Go too large and you pay for air, and may take up more of a Manchester street than necessary; go too small and a second skip will be needed. Here we run through the builders’ skips we supply around Manchester, starting at 4 yards and going up to 16.
A skip’s size is given in cubic yards, but the easiest way to imagine one is by an approximate number of black bin bags. What you’re getting rid of matters just as much, because weight limits on heavy material such as rubble and soil rule out some skips.
Still undecided once you’ve read this? Ring 0333 121 1056 and tell us about the job. We will recommend a size, then book it in for your area. Our main skip hire in Manchester page has general booking information.
Compare our Manchester skip and RORO sizes
Skip sizes compared
Below is a rough guide to what each size is typically used for on Manchester jobs. The bin bag numbers are estimates and vary with how tidily the skip is loaded.
- 4-yard skip (roughly 30–40 bags) – single-room clear-outs, garden tidy-ups and small bathroom refits
- 6-yard skip (roughly 50–60 bags) – DIY, small building jobs, rubble and soil
- 8-yard skip (roughly 60–80 bags) – house renovations and kitchen refits; the biggest size that takes heavy waste
- 12-yard skip (roughly 100–120 bags) – light, bulky waste and house clearances
- 14-yard skip (roughly 120–140 bags) – office and shop refits
- 16-yard skip (roughly 140–160 bags) – high volumes of bulky, light waste
RORO container sizes
- 20-Yard RoRo Skip Hire (Capacity: Approximately 200-220 black bags). This size is perfect for heavy materials like soil, concrete, bricks, and rubble, as well as general mixed waste.
- 30-Yard RoRo Skip Hire (Approximately 300-330 black bags). A step up for larger site clearances, bulk commercial waste and ongoing construction projects where a 20-yard would need frequent exchanges.
- 35-Yard RoRo Skip Hire (Approximately 350-380 black bags). Best suited for major demolition and refurbishment projects, large industrial clearances, and heavy-duty waste disposal.
- 40-Yard RoRo Skip Hire (Approximately 400-440 black bags). Ideal for very large commercial or industrial projects that generate a significant volume of waste. This size is commonly used for major construction projects, large-scale demolition jobs, and substantial industrial waste removal.
Bulky waste or heavy waste?
Capacity tells you only part of what you need to know. A skip of hardcore, concrete or soil weighs far more than one full of old furniture and cardboard, and a skip lorry can only lift so much. For that reason, the bigger 12-yard, 14-yard and 16-yard skips are reserved for bulky, light material, while heavy waste is generally kept to skips of 8 yards or 20-yard RORO skips.
Some jobs throw up a great deal of heavy waste – breaking up a back garden in Urmston, say, or digging out a driveway in Altrincham. An exchange, or a pair of smaller skips, is frequently the better plan in those cases. For very large quantities, a skip can be less efficient than grab hire.
Finding room for a skip at a Manchester address
Before you fix on a size, work out where the skip is going to stand. A bigger skip will often fit on a driveway in Sale or Cheadle with no permit required. A smaller one may be simpler to position on a narrow terraced street in Chorlton or inside a controlled parking area. Whatever the size, a skip on the road needs a council permit, which the skip provider normally applies for.
Worried about security? Ask us about enclosed skips fitted with lockable doors or lids. For larger construction or commercial volumes, RORO containers of 20 yards and above are also available from Skips Manchester. When you have decided, ask for a quote on our contact page.
Sizes to suit
- Householders
- Builders and other trades
- Landscapers
- Property managers
- Shopfitters
- Facilities managers
Skip Sizes – your questions answered
Can’t see your question? Call 0333 121 1056 or send us a message.
Which skip size is right for a kitchen refit?
Most full kitchen refits call for an 8-yard skip, which copes with worktops, old units, tiles and a certain amount of rubble or plaster. For a smaller kitchen in a Manchester terrace or flat, a 6-yard skip can be enough, particularly when the units are taken apart before they go in.
Why is soil not allowed in a 12-yard skip?
The reason is weight. Loaded with rubble or soil, a 12-yard skip would weigh more than a skip lorry is able to lift and carry safely. Bigger skips are therefore reserved for bulky, light material like timber, furniture and packaging, and heavy waste is generally restricted to skips of 8 yards or smaller.
Will a large skip fit on a terraced street?
It can, although parking and space tend to be limited in places such as Levenshulme, Rusholme or Fallowfield. Any skip on the road must leave access clear and needs a council permit. A smaller skip is generally simpler to position, and where nothing can be left on the street, wait-and-load is an alternative.
What happens if I pick the wrong skip size?
Should the skip fill sooner than expected, we can generally arrange an exchange, with an empty skip dropped off as the full one is taken away. Avoid overfilling – for safe lifting and transport, the waste has to be level with the top of the skip. Unsure? Ring 0333 121 1056 before you book.
Skip hire and waste management reviews
All reviews →“Sam was great! Very helpful answered all of my questions about size of skip I would need and managed to get the skip delivered quickly for me. I would highly recommend! Thank you!”
“Responsive company and easy to deal with. Cheerful people who did the collection. Would reccommend!”
“I required disposal of some small hazardous items. I call around and enlisted the services of a two advertised waste removal business. It was a waste of time as neither could provide the required service. I can tell you what was not a wate of time; going to Waste Cloud. They were attentive and professional. They assessed the situation and the request and acted quickly, scheduling a pick up at site. Waste Cloud adheres to all Waste Regulations and produced the appropriate Waste Transfer Note for our records. They are now on the company books as a preferred supplier. If you want the job done to a high standard when others have or will fail; call on Waste Cloud to simply get the job done!”
“Asked for support from this company with very short notice after other national organisations were unable to assist. Their experience with the management of waste was exceptional and they followed all policy and regulation around waste management which was of massive importance to a company like ours. Quick Reliable and would recommend them to any organisation looking for any sort of waste removal.”
“Good communication and efficient collection from 2 separate sites. The two men who collected the waste were professional and courteous—they arrived within the booked timeframe and assisted with the heavier items. Email communication during the booking process was speedy, efficient, and polite. I would recommend this company, easy to use and arrange collection.”
“Enquiry placed with Ross and Craig, Prompt response and competitive price, we needed reliability with regards to our Contracts in and around Nine Elms, London. Order placed and reliable service on time, and worked into our schedule superbly. Thank you guys.”
“Very quick and efficient online contact enquiry service which led to a friendly member of staff with a reassuring understanding of the process and a huge amount of patience with me as someone not used to dealing with this type of collection. Very friendly customer service and collections personnel. Would highly recommend.”
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Skips Manchester provides skip hire, grab hire, concrete delivery, waste collection, recycling and construction support across Manchester on a same-day, next-day or wait-and-load basis.