12 Yard Skip: Price, Size and What Fits
A 12 yard skip, usually called a maxi skip, holds about 120 bin bags. It costs £432 on average, including VAT, from our survey of 51 UK skip firms, and measures about 3.8m long, 1.8m wide and 1.75m high.
To scale, next to a 1.75m person
- Length
- 3.8m
- Width
- 1.8m
- Height
- 1.75m
£432
Average price, including VAT
£390 to £468
Typical range
120 bags
Roughly how much it holds
Light only
Heavy waste like soil and rubble
How much does a 12 yard skip cost?
Across 51 UK skip firms, a 12 yard skip costs £432 on average, including VAT. That's the median of the prices firms publish. The typical range (the middle 50% of prices) is £390 to £468. That covers delivery, collection and getting rid of a normal load, usually for one or two weeks.
Most firms quote a starting price, because the final figure depends on your postcode. A permit, extra days, heavy waste or items like mattresses can add to it. Our skip hire prices guide explains what pushes the price up.
How big is a 12 yard skip?
These are typical sizes, taken from the dimensions skip firms publish. Each firm's skips differ by a few centimetres, so check with yours if space is tight.
| Length (top) | 3.8m (12ft 6in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 1.8m (5ft 11in) |
| Height | 1.75m (5ft 9in) |
| Holds | 12 cubic yards, about 120 bin bags |
Leave room around it too. The lorry lowers the skip from the back, so the driver needs a clear run to your drive, without low wires, branches or narrow gateposts in the way. Mention anything awkward when you book.
What fits in a 12 yard skip?
About 120 full bin bags. Often called a maxi skip. It's for bulky, light waste such as furniture, carpet and packaging, not soil or rubble.
Good for
- Clearing a whole house
- Shop or office clear-outs
- Bulky, light waste
Is a 12 yard skip the right size?
If you're unsure, go one size up. A bigger skip usually costs less than a second skip, and overfilled skips can't be collected.
One size down
10 yard maxi skip
About 100 bags · £384 on average
One size up
14 yard maxi skip
About 140 bags · £470 on average
Do you need a permit?
Not if the skip goes on your drive or your own land. On a road you need a skip permit from the council, and the skip must be lit and marked. The skip firm usually applies for you: firms that list the charge add £60 on average.
Get free 12 yard skip quotes
Tell us your postcode and what you're clearing, and local skip firms will get in touch with prices. Free, with no obligation to book.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 12 yard skip?+
An average of £432 including VAT, from the prices 51 UK skip firms publish. The typical range is £390 to £468. Most firms quote a starting price that depends on your postcode, and a council permit costs extra if the skip goes on the road.
How big is a 12 yard skip?+
About 3.8m (12ft 6in) long, 1.8m (5ft 11in) wide and 1.75m (5ft 9in) high, going by the figures skip firms publish. Each firm's skips differ by a few centimetres.
How many bin bags fit in a 12 yard skip?+
About 120 full bin bags. Skip firms usually work on roughly ten bags per cubic yard. Bulky items like furniture take up more room than their weight suggests.
Can you put soil and rubble in a 12 yard skip?+
Usually not. Most firms only take light, bulky waste in skips this big, because a load of soil or rubble would be too heavy for the lorry to lift.
Do I need a permit for a 12 yard skip?+
Only if it goes on the road or another public place. A skip on your own drive or land doesn't need one. For a skip on the road, the firm usually applies to the council for you; firms that list the charge add £60 on average.
Prices come from our survey of 458 UK skip firms on 29 October 2026. Every 8-yard price was checked twice, by separate readers. Read the research or see how we collect our prices.
Written by Chris Kervin, Co-Founder, Less.co.uk
Last updated: · Prices from our October 2026 skip hire survey