A neighbour had an excavation done for a new garage base and ended up with about 25 tonnes of spoil in the garden. He asked me whether to book a skip. I told him to call a grab lorry instead.
The skip would have needed three or four loads - separate collections, three or four permit applications if on the road, cost-per-tonne much higher than a bulk grab. The grab lorry took the lot in an hour, reached over the fence into the garden where the spoil was piled, and was gone. Half the cost of equivalent skip hire.
The right tool depends entirely on the job.
What each service does
Skip hire: A metal skip (2-16+ cubic yards) is delivered and collected at scheduled times. You load it gradually over the hire period. Suitable for renovation waste accumulated over days or weeks.
Grab lorry: A lorry with a hydraulic grab arm collects loose material in bulk, typically in a single visit. You heap the material in an accessible location (the grab can reach 6-8 metres) and the lorry loads itself.
When a skip works better
| Situation | Why a skip works |
|---|---|
| Renovation spanning several days | Skip stays on site, fill as you work |
| Mixed light waste (timber, packaging, general debris) | Grab lorries prefer inert materials |
| Access limited to small spaces | Mini or midi skip fits a standard drive |
| Phased work with no clear collection date | Hire period allows flexibility |
| Small to medium volume (1-6 m3) | Skip hire is cost-effective at these volumes |
When a grab lorry works better
| Situation | Why a grab is better |
|---|---|
| Large volume of inert waste (soil, rubble, hardcore) | Grab cheaper per tonne at high volumes |
| Excavation spoil in a garden or awkward area | Arm reaches over walls/fences |
| No access for a skip lorry | Grab lorry can stop on road, arm reaches in |
| Need waste cleared quickly | Single visit, no hire period |
| Very heavy material | Grab handles tonnes of dense material easily |
Cost comparison
Prices vary by region and supplier. These are approximate comparisons:
| Volume | Skip hire | Grab lorry | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 m3 | £150-260 | £150-200* | Similar |
| 8 m3 | £300-500 | £200-300* | Grab cheaper |
| 15 m3 | 2-3 skips: £500-800 | £300-450* | Grab much cheaper |
*Grab lorry costs assume inert waste (soil, hardcore, rubble). Mixed or contaminated waste costs more.
For inert material above about 6m3, a grab lorry is almost always more cost-effective. Below that, the comparison is closer.
Access requirements
Skip: Needs a delivery lorry to access close to the drop point. Standard skip lorry is approximately 2.5m wide. A minimum of 3m clearance is needed for delivery. Skips require a flat, hard surface.
Grab lorry: The lorry parks on the road or a firm surface at the edge of the property. The grab arm reaches up to 8 metres. This means the lorry does not need to enter the property at all. Ideal for gardens, side alleys, or areas behind gates.
However, grab lorries are large vehicles (typically 7.5-26 tonne) and need adequate road width to position and operate.
What types of waste each takes
| Waste type | Skip | Grab lorry |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and clay | Yes (weight limits) | Yes - ideal |
| Hardcore and rubble | Yes (weight limits) | Yes - ideal |
| Concrete | Yes (weight limits) | Yes |
| Green/garden waste | Yes | Yes (many operators) |
| Mixed renovation waste | Yes | Less commonly |
| Plasterboard | Often restricted | Often restricted |
| Timber and wood | Yes | Rarely |
| General household | Yes | No |
My tips on skip vs grab
Ask the grab lorry what they will and won't take. Grab lorry operators vary significantly. Some take mixed loads; others are inert only. Confirm before booking that they will take what you have.
For excavations, always price a grab first. If you are digging for a foundation, drainage, a pond or landscaping, the spoil volume is predictable. Get a grab lorry quote before a skip quote - it will usually be cheaper.
Consider a grab for the heavy stuff, skip for the rest. On a project that generates both heavy inert waste and general mixed renovation debris, splitting the disposal is often best: grab for the soil and rubble, skip for the general rubbish.
The permit question. Skips on a public road need a council permit (£20-60). A grab lorry that is parked on the road briefly while operating does not need a permit in the same way (though they are subject to normal parking rules). On a tight street, grab avoids the permit issue entirely.
Use the Skip Size Calculator if you decide a skip is the right tool for your project.