2 Yard Skip: Price, Size and What Fits
A 2 yard skip, usually called a mini skip, holds about 20 bin bags. It costs £159 on average, including VAT, from our survey of 44 UK skip firms, and measures about 1.55m long, 1.21m wide and 0.8m high.
To scale, next to a 1.75m person
- Length
- 1.55m
- Width
- 1.21m
- Height
- 0.8m
£159
Average price, including VAT
£130 to £190
Typical range
20 bags
Roughly how much it holds
Yes
Heavy waste like soil and rubble
How much does a 2 yard skip cost?
Across 44 UK skip firms, a 2 yard skip costs £159 on average, including VAT. That's the median of the prices firms publish. The typical range (the middle 50% of prices) is £130 to £190. 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 2 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) | 1.55m (5ft 1in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 1.21m (4ft) |
| Height | 0.8m (2ft 7in) |
| Holds | 2 cubic yards, about 20 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 2 yard skip?
About 20 full bin bags. The smallest skip most firms offer. It fits on almost any drive, and it's a good choice for heavy waste like soil and rubble, because a small load stays under the weight limit.
Good for
- A small garden tidy
- Clearing a single room
- A small bathroom strip-out
Is a 2 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.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is a 2 yard skip?+
An average of £159 including VAT, from the prices 44 UK skip firms publish. The typical range is £130 to £190. 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 2 yard skip?+
About 1.55m (5ft 1in) long, 1.21m (4ft) wide and 0.8m (2ft 7in) high, going by the figures skip firms publish. Each firm's skips differ by a few centimetres.
How many bin bags fit in a 2 yard skip?+
About 20 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 2 yard skip?+
Yes. Smaller skips are the best choice for heavy waste, because a full load stays within the weight limit.
Do I need a permit for a 2 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