Man and Van vs Skip Hire - Which is Right for You?

Choosing how to remove your waste is half the battle, sometimes one is easier than the other

Whether you’re gutting your kitchen, finally tackling that jungle of a garden, or wrapping up a renovation, one thing’s for sure — waste piles up fast. So, what’s the best way to get rid of it without the stress?

Two of the most popular options are:

  • Hiring a skip

  • Booking a man (or woman!) with a van

Here’s how to choose the right fit for your project.


Skip Hire

Hiring a skip is ideal when you need a reliable spot to dump waste as you go. It’s perfect for:

  • Projects that generate a lot of waste over several days

  • Properties with space to park a skip on private land or the road (permit may be needed)

  • Bigger clear-outs where volume is predictable

Best for: Renovations, multi-room declutters, ongoing building work.

Consider this if:

  • You’ve got room for a skip

  • You want to spread the work out over time

  • You like a “dump it and forget it” solution

Not ideal for:

  • Tight spaces with tricky access

  • Last-minute jobs — especially if you need a road permit

Need help choosing the right size? Check out our skip sizes guide.


Man & Van Services

A man and van service offers a more flexible, hands-off approach. It usually includes labour, meaning someone does the heavy lifting for you.

Best for:

  • Fast turnarounds

  • Removing prohibited items that can't be put in a skip, such as furniture, white goods and electricals

  • Clearing bulky items quickly

  • Jobs where you don’t want the hassle of loading waste yourself

Good to know:

  • You don’t need space for a container

  • It’s easier to book at short notice

  • You’ll need to be available during collection

  • You may already need to pre-sort or pre-bag the waste to get the best price

Not ideal for:

  • Large-scale jobs (it can cost more for big loads)

  • Jobs that need long-term waste collection on-site

Want help removing something skip-prohibited? This is often the way to go.

What’s the Best Fit for You?

Still unsure? We can help you decide.

  • If you want time to load up waste gradually and have space for a skip, book a skip online.

  • If you need someone to come and take it all away quickly and do the lifting, booking a man and van might be just the ticket.

Tip: Some items cost extra to dispose of in a skip and a man and van might save you money on these. Learn more in our guide to what can go in a skip.


Whether you're clearing out, renovating, or just want your space back, we’re here to take the hassle out of waste removal. Compare skip prices now, or explore alternative options that work for you.

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