Hiring a skip bin is a smart move for getting rid of waste during big clean-ups or home renovation projects. However, many people make avoidable errors that can lead to unnecessary complications. There are a few things you can do to avoid facing extra costs or hassles you didn’t expect. In this article, we’re going to walk through some of the common mistakes people often make when hiring a skip. Our goal is to help you sidestep these little pitfalls, making your waste disposal journey as smooth and friendly to your budget as possible. Let’s dive in and make sure you get the most out of hiring a skip without any unnecessary headaches.
Overfilling The Skip
One of the most common mistakes we see is overfilling a skip bin. Aside from being an eyesore for your neighbours and blowing litter around your street, it can also pose health and safety risks. Waste must stay under the top rail of the skip bin; otherwise, debris can fly off when your skip bin provider is on the road, posing a risk to other drivers. It’s for this reason that it’s actually illegal to transport an overfilled skip bin.
Make sure to avoid this mistake if you want a smooth waste removal process. We charge an additional fee if our drivers aren’t able to level your skip bin upon pick up.
Not Considering Hazardous Waste
The general waste skip bins that are most commonly hired have strict legal restrictions about what can and cannot be disposed of in skip bins, and certain items are prohibited completely. This includes any materials that are explosive, corrosive, toxic, or flammable, like asbestos, batteries, solvents, petrol, and e-waste. This type of waste has to be disposed of separately in a safe and responsible way. Items like mattresses, tyres, and concrete aren’t listed under general waste and can’t be placed in a skip bin either.
Essentially, anything that can’t be dropped off at the waste management centre as general waste can’t be placed in a skip bin due to safety and legal concerns. Extra charges will apply to have items disposed of separately or have any dangerous or unacceptable items returned to you. If you’re unsure about what you can put in our skip bins, get in touch with us. Our friendly team will always be happy to answer any questions about the list of prohibited items to prevent confusion.
Not Choosing The Right Size Of Skip Bin
When it comes to managing your waste, picking the right skip bin size is probably the most important decision you have to make. We often see people making the mistake of choosing a bin that is too small, which can lead to additional charges for overfilling or needing to hire another skip bin entirely. On the other hand, selecting a bin that is too large can just end up being a waste of money. So before you decide, think about how much and what type of waste you need to get rid of. If you’re not sure, reach out to our team. We can give you some helpful advice on the perfect size for your specific needs.
Not Being Prepared For Drop-Off Or Pick-Up
If you’re planning to hire a skip bin, it’s important to be prepared for its drop-off and pick-up by having a clear idea of where you want to place the skip. This will help you avoid any delays, extra charges, or the skip bin being unable to be dropped off. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, you’ll need to make sure that there is clear access for the delivery truck and that you have a designated spot ready that complies with local regulations and is safe for placing a skip bin.
Before the delivery day, it’s always a good idea to confirm the size of the skip bin and the truck’s access requirements with your skip bin provider to determine the best place to put it. Don’t forget to prepare the location by removing any obstacles, such as vehicles, branches or debris that may block the truck’s access. Also, make sure that the skip bin does not obstruct driveways, pathways or public footpaths and that it doesn’t interfere with your daily activities.
In many states in Australia, there are rules around placing skip bins on public property, like nature strips. It’s always a good idea to check with your local council about the rules regarding the placement of your skip. Otherwise, it could result in fines. In the ACT, you have to apply for a Public Unleased Land Permit, and only then is the placement of a skip bin on public land permitted for a maximum period of 7 days.
Underestimating The Weight Limit
Another one of the most common skip bin mistakes when hiring a skip bin is not being aware of weight restrictions. Every skip bin has a maximum weight limit to ensure safe transportation. Exceeding this limit can result in extra charges. It’s important to be aware of this, especially when disposing of heavy materials like bricks or soil. At Angel Waste, the weight restrictions are 150 kilos per square cubic metre.
Loading The Skip Bin Inefficently
Not getting the most out of your skip bin because of inefficient loading is a common hiccup that’s easy to avoid. Start with the big, heavy items at the bottom. Then, slot in the smaller pieces to fill any gaps, just like you’re playing a game of Tetris. It’s tempting to just throw things in haphazardly, especially when you’re in the middle of a big clean-up, but taking a moment to break down larger items and distribute the weight evenly can make a huge difference. This not only ensures you make the most of the space available but also keeps the bin safe for transport by ensuring it’s not too top-heavy.
Underestimating The Hire Period Needed
Have you ever found yourself in a race against time with a project? Another mistake to avoid when using skip bins is underestimating the amount of time you will need them. It’s like trying to sprint through a marathon. Sometimes, projects take a turn or just naturally take longer than we expect. Maybe it’s those extra trips to sort through the attic treasures or the garden overhaul that grew bigger than Amazon.
To avoid a last-minute rush where you’re tossing things into the skip haphazardly, it’s important to give yourself some breathing room with the hire duration. You can do this by discussing with your skip bin provider and adding a cushion of time to your hire period. They understand that life can throw surprises at us, and they can often offer flexible options to accommodate your needs. This way, you can take your project at a pace that suits you, ensuring everything that needs to go, goes, without the pressure of running out of time. A relaxed project is a well-done project, after all.
Not Asking About Additional Fees
Before finalising your skip bin hire, inquire about any additional fees. These can include charges for excessive weight, prohibited items, or extended hire periods. Understanding the full cost upfront can help you manage your budget more effectively and avoid surprises. We pride ourselves on transparency regarding any additional fees and do our best to ensure our clients are as informed as possible about our rubbish removal services before booking.
Not Taking Reputation Into Account
Overlooking the reputation of your skip bin provider is akin to ignoring fuel efficiency when buying a car – you might end up with performance that doesn’t meet your expectations. In the realm of waste management, a company’s reputation is a testament to its commitment to service quality, environmental responsibility, and customer satisfaction.
Choosing a skip bin provider without investigating their standing in the community and industry can lead to subpar service, including unreliable drop-off and pick-up times, poor customer support, and inadequate waste disposal practices. In contrast, providers with a solid reputation are likely to offer transparent practices, including responsible waste sorting, recycling efforts, and adherence to environmental regulations, which contribute significantly to sustainable waste management.
Before committing to a service, take a moment to review customer testimonials, ratings, and any accreditations or awards the company has received. This research can demonstrate the provider’s dedication to environmentally sound practices and high service standards. Opting for a reputable skip bin provider ensures that your project’s waste is handled ethically and efficiently.
Angel Waste – Skip Bin Hire Done Differently
Ready to avoid these common skip bin hiring mistakes and ensure your project runs smoothly? Book your skip bin with us today. We guarantee friendly, personal service and reliability. Our goal is to make hiring a skip bin hire service as simple and stress-free as possible for our customers.
Our team is always happy to help you pick the right size, understand weight limits, and ensure you’re prepared for drop-off and pick-up. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering flexible options and providing detailed guidance on waste disposal, including handling hazardous and heavy materials.
As part of our dedication to a hassle-free experience, we’ve made our booking process as simple as possible. To get started, just fill out our easy online booking form. We will then be in touch to confirm the details and arrange for your skip to be delivered ASAP. If you’re located in our service area (which includes the ACT, Queanbeyan, and nearby regions), the cost of drop-off is included in the skip-hire fee.
