Skip Hire for a House Clearance in Dublin: Sizes, Costs and What to Expect
A house clearance is one of the larger waste challenges a Dublin homeowner faces. Whether you’re clearing a family home after a bereavement, preparing a property for sale, managing a rental between tenants, or simply tackling decades of accumulated clutter, the volume of waste involved is almost always more than people expect. Planning your skip hire in advance makes the whole process far less stressful.
How Much Waste Does a House Clearance Generate?
This depends on the property, but here are realistic estimates for typical Dublin homes:
| Property Type | Typical Waste Volume | Recommended Skip | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed apartment — full clearance | 40–60 bin bags | 4-Yard Midi or 6-Yard Standard | €245–€349 |
| 3-bed semi-detached — full clearance | 80–120 bin bags | 14-Yard Maxi | €579 |
| 3-bed semi with attic and garage contents | 100–160 bin bags | 14-Yard + 6-Yard, or Man and Van support | €579 + €349 |
| 4–5 bed detached — full clearance | 140–200+ bin bags | Multiple skips or RORO | Call to discuss |
| Terraced house — furnishings and contents only | 60–90 bin bags | 6-Yard or 14-Yard | €349–€579 |
| Rental property — between tenants | 20–50 bin bags | 4-Yard Midi or 6-Yard | €245–€349 |
💡 Our recommendation: always size up for a house clearanceHouse clearances consistently generate more waste than people anticipate. Wardrobes, mattresses, old appliances, boxes of accumulated items — it adds up fast. If you’re between a 6-yard and a 14-yard, choose the 14-yard. You can always leave it less than full; you can’t overfill.
Skip Hire vs Man and Van for House Clearances
This is the most common question we’re asked about house clearances. The honest answer is that most clearances benefit from a combination of both.
Where a skip works best:
- Bagged household items — clothes, kitchenware, books, small items
- Garden contents — outdoor furniture, plant pots, garden tools
- Flat-pack furniture, bookshelves, light wooden items
- Renovation debris if the property needs work post-clearance
- When you’re doing the work over several days and want the skip sitting there
Where Man and Van works better:
- Heavy or awkward items — sofas, beds, wardrobes, washing machines
- Fridges and freezers, which cannot go in a skip
- When you need the property cleared in a single day
- When access is difficult (upstairs flat, no driveway, narrow Dublin terrace)
- When there are items worth donating that you’d like separated out
Greyhound offers both services. For a typical 3-bed semi clearance, many customers use a 14-yard skip for the general clearance over 2–3 days, then book a Man and Van visit to handle the heavy furniture, white goods and items that need careful removal.
What Can Go in a House Clearance Skip?
Most household contents are accepted in a standard Greyhound skip:
- ✅ Accepted: Clothing, books, toys, crockery, small appliances, curtains, soft furnishings (excluding mattresses — see below), flat-pack furniture, timber, metals, mirrors, carpet and flooring
- ⚠️ Mattresses: Accepted but subject to a €30 surcharge per mattress — declare at booking
- 🚫 Not accepted: Fridges, freezers, televisions, monitors (WEEE items), gas cylinders, paint tins with liquid paint, asbestos materials, batteries, medical waste
🚫 What to do with fridges, TVs and white goodsFridges, freezers, televisions, computers and other WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) items cannot go in a skip. For house clearances, the most practical options are: council civic amenity sites (free), WEEE drop-off points at Tesco/Lidl/Aldi, or Greyhound’s Man and Van service which can handle WEEE disposal as part of the clearance.
Bereavement Clearances: A Practical Note
Many house clearances in Dublin happen following a bereavement — clearing a family home that’s been a lifetime in the making. At Greyhound, we understand that this is a difficult process, and we want to make the practical side as straightforward as possible.
A few things worth knowing for estate clearances specifically:
- Take your time with skip fill times. Our standard hire is 3 days, but if you need longer, contact us — we’ll do our best to accommodate.
- Consider what to keep, donate or sell before the skip arrives. Many items in cleared homes — furniture, books, clothing, crockery — have value through charities like St Vincent de Paul, the ISPCC, or local Facebook Marketplace groups. Donating before skipping is always worth a few hours.
- Book in advance. Clearances often happen when families are gathered — school holidays, bank holiday weekends. Book your skip as early as possible to secure your preferred delivery date.
House Clearance Step-by-Step
- Walk the property and estimate volume. Go room by room with a notebook. How many bags per room? Use the table above as a guide.
- Separate salvage from waste. Identify items for donation, sale or keeping before the skip arrives. This reduces the skip size you need and puts items to better use.
- Book your skip and Man and Van if needed. Call us on 01 457 7777 and describe the property — we’ll advise on the right combination of services.
- Arrange access. Someone needs to be present or available on delivery day. Ensure clear vehicle access.
- Work systematically. Room by room, heavy items at the base of the skip, light bulky items on top.
- Call for collection when done or at end of hire period.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many skips do I need for a full house clearance?
For most 3-bed Dublin semi-detached houses, one 14-yard maxi skip handles the clearance if items are loaded efficiently and WEEE is dealt with separately. Larger properties with significant furniture or renovation work may need 2–3 skip loads.
Can I put a sofa in a skip?
Yes — sofas, chairs and soft furnishings (except mattresses, which carry a €30 surcharge) are accepted in standard Greyhound skips. Large sofas take up significant space — factor this into your size choice.
How far in advance should I book for a house clearance?
For driveway placement, 2–3 days is usually sufficient. If a road permit is needed, allow 7–10 working days. For clearances during busy periods (summer, bank holiday weekends), book as early as possible.
Can Greyhound handle both the skip and the Man and Van for one clearance?
Yes — Greyhound provides both skip hire and Man and Van services. We can coordinate both for a single clearance. Call 01 457 7777 to discuss your specific property and we’ll recommend the most practical combination.
