Easy Grab Hire

Construction Waste: Timber, rubble, and bricks

Inert Waste: Aggregates and soil

General Waste: Items that would normally go in your weekly black bin collection

Garden Waste: Grass clippings, weeds, and shrubbery

Paper & Cardboard: Packaging or promotional cards

Plastic: Plastic bottles, detergent bottles, etc.

Household Items: Furniture and carpet

Commercial or Trade Waste: Large amounts of mixed waste

Metals: Drink cans, foil, bedframes

Wood: Old wood flooring, scrap wood from DIY

For more information please see our more comprehensive guide:

Electrical Appliances: Televisions, computers, washing machines, fridges.

Tyres: Old car or bike tyres are not allowed in a skip.

Upholstered Seating and Furniture: Including: sofas, armchairs, futons and bean bags.

Asbestos: Asbestos must never be placed in a skip and requires specialist disposal.

Harmful Chemicals: Including such as solvents and glue.

Fluorescent Tubes: Contain mercury and cannot be put in a skip.

Medical Waste: Includes biological waste or bodily fluids.

Batteries: Contain harmful battery acid and must be taken to a recycling centre.

Paint Cans: Filled tins need to be disposed of at a disposal centre or local tip.

Oil/Petrol/Diesel: Extremely flammable and should never be put in a skip.

Gas Cylinders: Used Gas cylinders must not be put in a skip.

Animal Waste: Includes deceased animals, fur, feathers, and excrement.

Grab hire uses a lorry equipped with a hydraulic arm ("grabber") to collect and remove large quantities of waste, like soil, rubble, and garden debris. Here’s how it works:

1. Booking: You contact a grab hire company, specifying the type and amount of waste.

2. Collection: The grab lorry arrives and uses its arm to scoop waste from hard-to-reach areas—over walls or fences if needed.

3. Disposal: The waste is transported to a licensed disposal or recycling facility.

Benefits: Grab hire is quick, can access restricted areas, and is often more cost-effective for large volumes of waste than skip hire. It’s ideal for construction, landscaping, and projects with bulky waste.

Grab hire costs in the UK typically range from £150 to £350 per load, depending on factors like:

• Load Size: Full loads are more cost-effective, while half loads or minimum charges apply for smaller amounts.

• Type of Waste: Heavy materials (e.g., soil, concrete) can cost more than lighter, mixed waste.

• Location: Costs may vary based on your area and the distance to a disposal facility.

• Access Requirements: Challenging access or extra time on site might increase the price.

For an accurate quote, it’s best to contact a local grab hire provider with details of your waste type, volume, and location.

Grab hire can often be cheaper than skip hire, especially for large volumes of waste or sites with access issues. Here’s how they compare:

• Cost per Load: Grab hire is typically charged per load, making it more cost-effective if you have large quantities to clear in one go, whereas skip hire prices are fixed by skip size.

• Labour and Speed: Grab hire includes loading by the hydraulic arm, so it’s quicker and reduces manual labour, whereas skips require you to load by hand.

• Access and Permits: Grab lorries don’t need to stay on-site, so no permit is required, unlike skips placed on public roads, which may need permits and space.

For single, bulky clearances or hard-to-reach sites, grab hire is often more economical, while skip hire may be better for ongoing projects where waste accumulates gradually.

A standard grab lorry can hold 8 to 16 cubic metres of waste and carry up to 16 tonnes in weight, depending on the lorry size. Most commonly, an 8-wheel grab lorry has a capacity of around 12-15 cubic metres and can handle up to 16 tonnes, ideal for large amounts of soil, rubble, or mixed waste.

If you’re unsure about your waste volume, most grab hire companies can help estimate based on the type of waste and amount of space available.

A grab lorry typically requires around 3 meters (10 feet) in width to access the site and sufficient overhead clearance for the hydraulic arm to operate, which usually extends up to 8 meters. For safe operation, it’s best to provide clear space around the waste pile to allow the grab arm to reach and load efficiently.

Additionally, the lorry usually needs a stable, level surface to park on, close to the waste area. If access is tight or there are obstacles, discuss this with the grab hire provider, as they may be able to assess specific site needs.

Yes, a grab lorry can typically reach over walls, fences, and other obstacles. The hydraulic arm on a grab lorry can extend up to 8 meters (26 feet), allowing it to access waste from areas that are difficult to reach. This makes grab hire especially useful for sites with limited access or where waste is located behind barriers like fences or walls. However, the reach can vary depending on the size and model of the lorry, so it's a good idea to check with the grab hire provider if you have specific access concerns.