How to Choose the Right Skip Hire Company

How to Choose the Right Skip Hire Company

Managing your waste is easy with a skip, but only if you use a reputable company like What Skip. With the right company, you can expect low fees, a hassle-free delivery and collection service, and the assurance that your construction project, home renovation, or garden waste is handled responsibly.

Get it wrong, though, and you might find yourself literally paying the price. Less reputable companies might charge you hidden fees or cause delays because of late delivery or collection. In the worst case scenarios, unlicensed operators have been known to dump waste, leaving you liable to fines.

How to choose a skip hire company

It only takes a few minutes to ensure you are dealing with a reputable skip hire firm. Making a few simple checks will give you peace of mind when choosing a skip hire company and might help you avoid unnecessary expenses. 

Licensing and certifications

Businesses can hold plenty of accreditations and certificates. If you are looking for a skip hire, the one you must check is their waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency.

A skip hire company must be registered with the Environment Agency to operate. It should be an immediate red flag if you cannot find their registration. What Skip is registered as both a carrier and a broker, which means we can collect and dispose of your waste.

Reviews and reputation

If you have never hired a skip, you can ask family or friends who have used one for recommendations. But if you do not know anyone who has, the next best option is to check review sites like Trustpilot.

Check for comments addressing punctuality, the service provided, and cost. You would expect a good company to have good reviews, but things sometimes go wrong. If there is an occasional bad review, it is worth checking to see how the company responded and resolved it.

Range of services

You might think skip hire is a simple business, but it is a big part of the waste management industry. It is worth looking at what else your skip hire company can provide. They might have waste removal alternatives, like man and van hire, that you could use.

You should also look at the range of skips they offer. Skip sizes range from mini skips for small projects to roll-on and roll-off skips for high-volume uses. In both cases, a wide choice can indicate a company with a deep expertise in waste management.

Pricing clarity

It is always worth getting multiple quotes before booking; when you do, check them carefully to see what each one includes. One of the real advantages of skip hire is that it involves paying a single fee for waste management. However, some companies offer low quotes by hiding additional costs or charging unreasonable fees for overfilling or changing your hire period.

Ask for a breakdown of any potential additional charges along with your quote. The cheapest initial quote often turns out to be pricier in practice.

Customer support

Skip hire might not be associated with customer support since they are usually just left in place. But sometimes, you need help checking what can go in or changing collection dates.

Check that the company has accessible customer support, such as a phone number rather than just a web form. Also, consider what was said about their support in the reviews you checked.

Questions to ask

Every company will try to present itself in the best light, so sometimes, as a customer, you have to ask the tricky questions! Here are some things you should check before you hire a skip.

  • Are you licensed to operate in my area? You should be able to find their Environment Agency registration easily, but if not, always check.
  • What services are included in your fees? Ensure there are no hidden fees, such as managing an application if you need a permit for your skip.
  • Can you handle …? While there are national and local restrictions on what can go in a skip, check to ensure the company can handle the type of waste you need.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not choose based just on the price

You do not want to pay more than you need, but remember that sometimes a price is too good to be true. Since local authorities set many waste disposal costs, cheaper quotes may come from poorer customer service or using overstretched delivery teams. Think carefully about what the price differences might mean.

Not checking registrations

You are legally responsible for your waste until you transfer it to a registered waste broker. The company you choose must be registered with the Environment Agency; if not, you will remain responsible for your rubbish. It could mean you are liable for fines if the waste is illegally dumped.

Not checking on space and access

A reputable company will always advise you to check on access issues. Failure to check these can cause delays and inconvenience, whether getting a skip permit from the council or ensuring that your land has sufficient room for a skip and the vehicle movement needed for delivery. 

Why using a reputable company just works

The benefit of skip hire is the convenience it offers. But you only get that with the right skip hire company. If you get it wrong, you will likely experience inconvenience, frustration, and additional costs.

When you use a company like What Skip, you can expect clear communication, reliable delivery and collection, and great customer service. Moreover, you will have peace of mind knowing that your waste is being handled properly and that recycling is being maximised.

Taking a short while to make those checks is a solid investment of your time. If you want to find out what a good skip hire company looks like, contact What Skip; we are happy to answer all your questions. Get in touch with us today.

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