There’s never a bad time to hire a skip, but some times are better than others. All too often, householders leave it to the end of a DIY project to hire a skip and throw away all the rubbish.
But to get even better value out of your skip, hire it at the start of your work. This allows you to clear out your workspace so there are fewer obstacles, making it easier and safer for you to move around.
Keeping a clear work area is one of the top suggestions made by tradesperson comparison site HaMuch, whether you’re a DIYer or a professional.
“If you have a big job that requires the use of dangerous tools or materials, clear the house from kids and other distractions and then clear your work area from any trip hazards and obstructions,” the website said.
By creating more space, you can move around more easily, lift heavy objects more safely, and make room for a friend or colleague to help out or supervise in case of emergency.
Best practice for DIY jobs
The site also found that injuries due to heavy lifting are now very low – perhaps as a result of many years of educating people to lift from the knees and not to put a strain on their back.
However, power tools remain more of a risk, and HaMuch urged homeowners and professionals alike to take extra care when using them, including:
- Holding the tool with a firm grip and keeping hands well clear of blades.
- Avoiding “unconventional manoeuvres” even with familiar tools.
- Turning the power supply off when the tool is not in use.
Again, clearing out space before you start work all helps you to keep on top of your safety, so you’re not forced to trail electrical cables over obstacles and you can easily reach switches to turn off the power when you’re done.
How long can I hire a skip for?
Our skip hire quotes are for up to a week as standard, but if you need your skip for longer, give us a call and we can quote a price for that.
Remember that if you need to place your skip on the road, you’ll need a skip road permit. These typically last for up to a month, but if your work will last longer than that, it’s usually possible to request an extension.
We include a standard road skip permit fee in the prices we quote on our website, which is why there’s a difference between our quotes for on-road and off-road skip hire.
Of course, if you have a private property where your skip can safely be delivered and collected, you won’t need a road permit and we can arrange one or multiple skips as required for the full duration of your project, no matter how big or long it is.
The sooner you hire a skip, the sooner you start to benefit from clearing out waste materials and other obstructions – so don’t hesitate when there’s work to be done!