If you’re planning a renovation, landscaping or building project, one of the first things to consider is how you’re going to remove all of the waste. While most people’s first thought is to order a skip, depending on the amount of waste you have, this can get very expensive, very fast. The two most popular options for waste removal are a skip or a grab truck. So, is a grab hire cheaper than a skip?
Many people may not be aware that you can hire a grab truck as an alternative to a skip, which can be much more cost-effective. But which is the best option for you? In this article, we’ll take a look at the difference between skip and grab hire, the pros and cons of each, and work out whether it is cheaper to hire a grab truck than a skip.
A skip is a large container that is dropped off at your property for you to fill manually with waste. You keep it for a set period of time, place your waste in it as you go, and then when it is full, the skip company come and collect it and take it away.
A grab hire, or grab truck, on the other hand, is a large truck with a hydraulic arm with a scoop at the end attached to it. It drives out to your location on a chosen day and time, scoops up all your waste, places it into the back of the truck and then drives it all away in one go. This saves you from having to physically load the waste yourself.
A skip is a large container that is dropped off at your property for you to fill manually with waste. You keep it for a set period of time, place your waste in it as you go, and then when it is full, the skip company come and collect it and take it away.
A grab hire, or grab truck, on the other hand, is a large truck with a hydraulic arm with a scoop at the end attached to it. It drives out to your location on a chosen day and time, scoops up all your waste, places it into the back of the truck and then drives it all away in one go. This saves you from having to physically load the waste yourself.
When it comes to waste removal in construction, landscaping, or home improvement projects, as we’ve mentioned, two of the most common options are skip hire and grab hire. Each has its own strengths and limitations, and choosing the right one depends on your project size, timeline, access, and budget.
Below, we break down the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.
Good for ongoing projects
Skip hire allows you to keep the skip on-site for several days or weeks. This makes it good for projects where waste builds up gradually over time, as you have somewhere to store it right away.
Different sizes available
You can usually choose from a range of skip sizes depending on your needs. This can be beneficial for smaller domestic renovation projects, which only require a smaller size, as this may be all you need.
Convenient waste storage
Hiring a skip means that you can dispose of your waste as you go and have somewhere to store it that is safe and out of the way.
Requires space and permits
If you don’t have a driveway or space on your property to store the skip, you may require a council permit to place the skip on the road, which adds to the cost, admin and time it takes to actually get the skip and start your project.
You have to fill it manually
With a skip, you have to load it manually yourself. This can be time-consuming and physically exhausting and can even lead to injuries if not managed correctly.
Limited capacity
Skips can fill up quickly, especially if you have a lot of large, heavy materials like soil or rubble. This may result in you having to hire several skips, which can get costly.
Less efficient
If you need fast (or immediate) waste removal, a skip can slow things down a lot compared to a grab hire, which comes and takes it all away in one go. Even if you can get a skip same day, you’ll still need to fill it yourself and then ask for them to come back out to collect it.
More expensive for larger projects
As previously mentioned, skips can fill up quickly, so if you have a large project with a lot of waste, this can require multiple skips, which can be expensive.
Extra charges could apply
Often, skip hire companies charge if your project overruns and you need the skip for longer or if the waste exceeds the limit on your hired skip.
Fast and efficient waste removal
Grab lorries can load and remove large volumes of waste in a single visit, and they often can load your waste a lot faster using their hydraulic arm than it would take you to manually load. This means all your waste is collected and removed quickly and efficiently.
Handles large and heavy loads
Grab trucks can hold huge loads, much more than a standard skip. With capacities of up to 16 tonnes, grab hire is ideal for large projects, construction waste, soil and hardcore.
No permits required
Grab lorries don’t remain on site; they simply arrive, load up the waste and then drive away again. This means you do not need to get a permit, so you can avoid extra costs and delays that come with permits.
Little to no manual labour
Unlike with skips, the hydraulic arm does the heavy lifting, reducing physical effort and saving time.
Cost-effective for large jobs
For bulk waste removal, a single grab lorry can often do the work of multiple skips, reducing overall costs. This makes grab trucks much more cost-effective, especially for larger jobs and those with heavy waste.
Not ideal for gradual waste build-up
Grab hire is best for removing a large amount of waste at once, which it does very efficiently. But if you have a long ongoing project with gradual bits of waste piling up, it may not be the best choice.
Requires access for a grab lorry
The grab lorry will need sufficient access to be able to clear the waste effectively. However, because the grab arm is quite long, it can reach into awkward places, so as long as there is space for the lorry to park close enough for the arm to reach the waste, you should be fine. There are also baby grab trucks available for smaller projects or harder-to-reach locations.
While it depends on your specific project, in most cases, if you’re taking on a project with quite a lot of waste, especially if it’s a large project with heavy waste, grab hire works out cheaper and more cost-effective than hiring a skip. Grab hire is often better for bulk clearance, and if you want, fast, efficient waste removal.
If you’re dealing with significant amounts of soil, hardcore, or construction waste, a single grab lorry can remove up to 16 tonnes in one visit. To achieve the same with skips, you may need multiple hires, multiple permits, and multiple collections, all of which add up quickly.
EveryTrade Grab Hire offers fast, efficient grab hire services to remove waste throughout Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire. We have a family of grab trucks and baby grab trucks, which can remove large amounts of waste in a single trip. We can collect hardcore, soil, mixed waste, wood waste, garden waste, scrap metal, and more.
Whether you’re clearing a construction site or tackling a large landscaping project, grab hire with Everytrade Grabs ensures you get the job done quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. We offer transparent pricing and an efficient service and can even come out same-day in some cases.
Get in touch with our friendly team today on 0161 470 0220, email info@tdgcontracts.com or simply WhatsApp us!
