6 yard skip vs 8 yard skip: Which skip size is right for your project?
October 1, 2026|News
Choosing the right skip size makes waste disposal easier and can help you avoid paying for space you do not need.
In the 6 yard skip vs 8 yard skip comparison, a 6 yard skip is generally more than enough for typical residential clear-outs, as it will hold around 30-40 black bin bags. In comparison, an 8 yard skip holds 50-60 black bin bags, additional capacity that makes it better suited to larger commercial renovations and construction projects.
When it comes to cost, the 8 yard costs around £50 more for a standard Towens two week hire, so it’s worth considering how much waste your project will produce.
6 yard skip vs 8 yard skip
The right skip depends on how much waste you have and the type of waste you need to dispose of.
6 yard skip
Our 6 yard skip is a popular choice for larger domestic jobs, including home renovations, house clearances and large garden clearances.
- Typical price: around £350 for two weeks
- Capacity: 30-40 black bin bags
- Volume: 4.6m³
- Height: 1.22m
- Length: 2.6m
- Width: 1.52m
- Weight limit: up to 6 tonnes
- Waste type: heavy inert waste, mixed waste and builders’ waste
8 yard skip
Our 8 yard skip provides more space for large amounts of waste. It is suitable for larger construction projects, commercial waste, clearances and bulky items.
- Typical price: around £390 for two weeks
- Capacity: 50-60 black bin bags
- Volume: 6.11m³
- Height: 1.22m
- Length: 3.66m
- Width: 1.68m
- Weight limit: up to 6 tonnes
- Waste type: mixed construction waste and a variety of skip materials
| Specification | 6 yard skip | 8 yard skip |
| Black bin bags | 30-40 | 50-60 |
| Volume | 4.6m³ | 6.11m³ |
| Height | 1.22m | 1.22m |
| Length | 2.6m | 3.66m |
| Width | 1.52m | 1.68m |
| Weight limit | Up to 6 tonnes | Up to 6 tonnes |
| Two-week price | Around £350 | Around £390 |
As a general rule, choose the 6 yard skip for around 30-40 bags of waste. If you expect 50-60 bags, the 8 yard provides more space and can be a better option.
The only way to get a truly accurate price, is to use our free, no-obligation online tool. All you need to do is enter your postcode and then select your skip, and we’ll present you with an accurate price.
Our other skip size options
We offer different skip sizes for projects ranging from small domestic jobs to larger commercial projects. These vary in price too, but generally the smaller the skip, the cheaper it is to hire.
- 2 yard skip: Suitable for garden waste and minor house clearances. Holds around 10-15 black bin bags.
- 4 yard skip: Ideal for bathroom refits, landscaping and medium-sized projects. Holds 25-30 black bin bags.
- 12 yard skip: Designed for bulky and heavy waste from larger commercial and industrial projects. Holds around 90-100 black bin bags.
Larger RORO skips are also available in 15-40 cubic yard container sizes.
What else do I need to know when ordering a Towens skip?
There are a few practical points to consider when arranging skip hire.
Hire duration
Our standard skip hire duration is two weeks. Larger skips and RORO skips are available for projects with different requirements.
Delivery
Our skip and hook lift lorries supply skips and containers across North Somerset, Somerset and Bristol. We aim to provide an efficient and responsive service, with skips often available for delivery within 24 hours of booking.
Permits
If your skip is placed on a public road, you may need a public highway permit. We can sort the paperwork for you, which typically doesn’t pose any issues, but it can take a bit longer and incur a small fee.
What happens to the waste?
Collected waste is taken to our transfer station for processing. Hardcore and soil-only waste can be turned into recycled aggregates, topsoil and subsoils, which are then made available for construction projects, supporting a circular economy. Other waste is sorted into different waste streams for recycling, recovery or appropriate disposal.
Around 92% of the waste processed through our facilities is recycled, reused or recovered, with only 8% going to landfill.
What is permitted in a Towens skip?
Permitted materials include:
- Wood
- Stone
- Paper
- Plastic
- General waste
- Sand and soil
- Cardboard
- Metals
The following are not permitted:
- Electrical items
- Asbestos
- Batteries
- Gas cylinders
- Paint tins
- Fluorescent tubes
- Heavily treated wood
- POPs, including sofas, armchairs and upholstered furniture
- Plasterboard
- Fridges and freezers
- Tyres
- Pressurised containers
- Food waste
- Liquids
- Mattresses
If you are unsure about a particular waste type, speak to our friendly team before booking.
Skip hire in Somerset from Towens
Whether you are clearing a house, renovating your home, tackling a large garden clearance or managing construction waste, choosing the right skip size helps keep your project organised.
Our skip hire service covers Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol, with different skip sizes for domestic, commercial and construction projects. We combine skip hire with waste management and recycling services, aiming to recycle or reuse as much waste as possible.
With more than 25 years of experience in recycling, waste management, haulage and environmental services, we work with homeowners, contractors, commercial clients and industrial sites across the region.
Still unsure which is the right skip? Enter your postcode to check local skip hire prices, select your skip size and confirm whether a public highway permit is required.
For advice or a quote, call 01934 424242 or email skips@towens.co.uk. We can help you choose the right skip size for your project.
