Roll-off & skip containers
Roll-off and skip containers are open or covered bins for waste and bulk material. Skips are set down sideways by a skip loader and typically hold 3 to 10 m³, while roll-off containers arrive on a hook-lift truck and reach around 40 m³. Billing is usually a package of delivery, standing time and disposal, with the price depending heavily on the type of waste.
Typical uses
- Rubble, concrete and brick from demolishing walls and screed
- Excavated soil from foundations, pools and utility trenches
- Bulky waste and clearances from homes, cellars and lofts
- Green and garden waste from clearing, hedge cutting and landscaping
- Mixed construction waste from interior fit-out, drylining and window replacement
- Commercial and packaging waste in retail, logistics and production
- Waste wood and furniture during a business closure or shop refit
- Delivering bulk material such as gravel, sand or bark mulch to site
Sizes and dimensions
| Type | Usual sizes | Vehicle | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skip | approx. 3 – 10 m³ | skip loader | clearances, small amounts of rubble, green waste |
| Skip with lid | approx. 5 – 10 m³ | skip loader | bulky waste, protection against fly-tipping |
| Roll-off container | approx. 10 – 40 m³ | hook-lift truck | large sites, demolition, commercial |
| Roll-off with door | approx. 20 – 40 m³ | hook-lift truck | filling by wheelbarrow over a ramp |
Sizes and names vary by waste contractor. With heavy materials weight is the limit, not volume.
✓ Advantages
- Far cheaper than individual trips for large waste volumes
- Convenient delivery and collection by appointment
- Many sizes from a small skip up to a 40 m³ roll-off bin
- Also available with lid, flap or door for easy loading
- Disposal included, with documentation and proper recovery
! Points to consider
- Usually rental including disposal only, buying rarely makes sense
- A permit is required when placed on public land
- Prices vary widely by waste type and wrong items get expensive
- Standing time beyond the free period incurs daily rental
Equipment and options
- Open steel body
- Optional lid or tarpaulin
- Door or flap at the end on many roll-off containers
- Lifting points for skip loaders or hook for hook-lift trucks
Price guide
- Green waste 7 m³
- approx. €250 – 450
- Clean rubble 7 m³
- approx. €300 – 550
- Mixed construction waste 7 m³
- approx. €500 – 1,000
- Permit for public land
- additional, depending on municipality
Rough orientation values without guarantee; prices vary by region, condition and market.
What to look out for
- Separate waste properly – mixed construction waste costs several times as much as clean rubble.
- Put rubble only in small skips: one cubic metre weighs roughly 1.5 to 1.8 tonnes, large skips get too heavy.
- Do not fill above the rim – overloaded skips are not collected or are charged extra.
- Never put hazardous materials such as asbestos, old mineral wool or tar-containing materials into normal skips.
- If the skip stands on the road, obtain a special use permit.
Frequently asked questions
Which skip size do I need?
For clearing a flat 5 to 7 m³ is often enough, for a whole house rather 10 m³ or several placements. With rubble, weight decides: two small skips rather than one large one.
What must not go into the skip?
Hazardous waste such as asbestos, paints and varnishes, batteries, electrical appliances, used oil or chemicals. They must be disposed of separately.
Related guides
Planning with roll-off & skip containers?
Compare sizes, costs and buying vs. renting in our guides.
