Here’s everything you need to plan your skip hire around a house renovation in Dublin.

How Much Waste Will Your Renovation Generate?

The honest answer is: more than you think. Here are typical waste volumes for common Dublin renovation projects:

Pricing Correct as of May 2026

How Many Skips Do I Need?

For most single-room renovations — a bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom — one skip is enough if you choose the right size. For whole-house renovations, you’ll likely need either a large skip (14-yard) or multiple standard skips across the duration of the project.

Two strategies work well for longer renovations:

• Book one skip at the start of a phase (stripping out, removal) and a second at the end (finishing, clean-up). This way the skip doesn’t sit on your property or road for weeks.
• Hire a larger skip once if all the waste will be generated in a short window. Our 14-yard maxi holds the equivalent of around 100 bin bags.

What Renovation Waste Goes in the Skip?

The good news is that most renovation waste is skip-friendly. Here’s what’s typically accepted:

• Old kitchen units, worktops, and appliances (not fridges)
• Bathroom suites — old baths, toilets, sinks, tiles
• Flooring — laminate, carpet, underlay, vinyl
• Plaster and concrete (heavy waste skip, level load)
• Timber — old doors, skirting boards, floorboards, studs
• Metal — old pipework, radiators, structural brackets
• UPVC windows and doors
• General rubble and building debris

Asbestos in Old Dublin Homes: What to Know

If you’re renovating a Dublin property built before 1985, there is a real possibility of encountering asbestos in older materials. Common locations include pipe lagging, old ceiling tiles, certain floor tiles, and corrugated roofing.

Asbestos is a prohibited item in standard skips and must be removed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. If you suspect asbestos in your property, stop work and contact a specialist before proceeding. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has guidance on asbestos identification and management.

Renovation Skip Hire: Step-by-Step

1. Estimate your waste volume using the table above. When in doubt, go larger.
2. Check where the skip will go — driveway (no permit needed) or road (permit may be needed, allow 7 working days for DCC approval).
3. Book online at Greyhound or call 01 457 7777. Specify your waste types.
4. Fill from the back to the front, placing heavy items at the bottom. Keep below the level load line.
5. Call for collection when full or at the end of your hire period.

Tips to Keep Renovation Skip Costs Down

• Salvage before you skip. Old radiators, cast-iron baths, solid timber doors, and copper pipework often have scrap or resale value.
• Separate heavy from light waste. A 4-yard skip filled with rubble is cheaper than a 6-yard filled to the brim with heavy debris.
• Use the full hire period. Fill the skip over 3 days — don’t pay for a second skip if one large one would do.
• Book in advance. Last-minute bookings may cost more or be unavailable during busy spring and summer renovation periods.

Frequently Asked Questions: