Skip bin size for a renovation: bathroom, kitchen and more

The right skip bin size for renovation work depends on the room. As a starting point, we suggest a 4m³ bin for a bathroom renovation and an 8m³ bin for a kitchen renovation. Smaller jobs like a laundry refresh can suit a 3m³ bin, and a whole-home renovation usually calls for our 10m³ bin. Below we go room by room, explain how to think about volume in wheelie-bin terms, and flag the waste that needs a phone call first.

01Quick guide: skip bin size by renovation

Here is a summary of where we would start for common renovation jobs. Every renovation is different, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule.

You can see the exact dimensions of each bin on our skip bin sizes page. Every bin from 3m³ up has a walk-in door, which makes a big difference when you are wheeling out old vanities, cabinets or a bathtub.

02Bathroom renovation skip bin

A bathroom renovation skip bin is usually a 4m³. It is 3.2 × 1.5 × 0.96 m and holds about 16 wheelie bins of waste.

A full bathroom strip-out tends to produce a mix of bulky and heavy items:

• The vanity, mirror and cabinet
• Toilet suite and basin
• Bathtub or shower screen and base
• Wall and floor tiles, plus plasterboard
• Packaging from the new fittings

The bulky pieces take up space, but tiles are where you need to be careful. Tiles are heavy waste, so let us know about them when you book (more on that below). The walk-in door on the 4m³ means you can walk a bathtub or vanity straight in rather than lifting it over the side.

If you are only replacing a vanity and a few fittings, a 2m³ mini skip may be enough. The mini skip has no door and is loaded over the side, so it suits lighter, smaller items.

03Kitchen renovation skip bin

For a kitchen renovation skip bin, we suggest starting with an 8m³. It is 3.3 × 1.5 × 1.8 m and holds about 33 wheelie bins.

Kitchens produce a lot of bulky waste for the size of the room. Cabinets, benchtops, splashbacks, rangehoods and the packaging from new cabinetry all add up quickly. Cabinet boxes are mostly empty space, so breaking them down before they go in helps you get more into the bin.

Appliances are a separate question. Anything with a plug, battery or power cord is e-waste and can’t go in a skip in Victoria, so plan another way to dispose of an old oven, dishwasher or rangehood.

04Laundry, flooring, outdoor and whole-home renovations

Laundry

A laundry is often a smaller space than a bathroom, with a tub, cabinet and some tiling. A 3m³ bin (about 12 wheelie bins) can suit a simple refresh. If you are stripping the room back to the frame, including tiles and plasterboard, the 4m³ gives you more room. Washing machines and dryers are e-waste, so keep them out of the skip.

Flooring

Flooring waste depends on the material. Carpet and underlay are bulky but light, so they fill a bin by volume. Roll carpet tightly and tie it before loading. For a room or two, a 3m³ or 4m³ is a sensible start. If you are lifting tiles or a floating floor through a whole house, talk to us about the area so we can suggest a size.

Outdoor areas and decks

Pulling up an old deck creates long boards, framing timber and sometimes concrete footings. Timber is accepted in our bins. A 4m³ suits a small deck, while a larger deck or a full backyard makeover may need a 6m³ (about 25 wheelie bins). If the job includes a lot of garden waste, our green waste skip bins are worth a look.

Whole-home renovations and building work

For a whole-home renovation, our 10m³ bin is the usual choice. It is 4.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 m and holds about 41 wheelie bins. We describe it as our size for building sites and big renovations.

Note that 10m³ is our largest bin. If a project is staged over several weeks, tell us how long you need the bin when you book, and that period is included in your quote. Longer hire is available on request.

Builders and trades can read more on our construction skip bins page, which covers renovation and building site waste.

05Heavy waste and asbestos

Tiles, bricks and concrete: call first

Renovations often produce heavy waste such as tiles, bricks, concrete and soil. These can go in a skip, but please call us on 0411 131 044 before you book so we can send the right bin for the job. A bin that looks half empty can still be carrying a lot of heavy material.

What else stays out

Alongside asbestos, renovation jobs often turn up paint, liquids, chemicals and electrical items. None of these can go in a skip. Leftover paint can go to Paintback, and household chemicals to Detox Your Home. Our what can go in a skip bin page has the full list.

06Choosing between two sizes

If you are torn between two sizes, a few questions can help you decide:

1. Is the waste mostly bulky or mostly heavy? Bulky, light waste like cabinets and carpet fills volume. Heavy waste like tiles needs a call first.
2. Will you break items down? Flattened cabinets and cut-down timber take far less room than whole pieces.
3. Is the work happening in stages? If the renovation runs over weeks, the bin needs to hold everything from the whole job.
4. Are you clearing anything else at the same time? Many people add a garage or shed clean-out to a renovation. That extra waste counts too.

Where the bin will sit matters as well. If it can go on your driveway, no permit is needed. If it needs to go on council land such as the nature strip or road, a council permit is required, and we arrange it as part of your booking.

07Get the right skip bin for your renovation

Tell us what you are renovating, what the waste is mostly made of and how long you need the bin. We will suggest a size and give you one full price upfront covering delivery, pickup and disposal. The only possible addition is a council permit if the bin sits on council land.

Get a quote for your renovation skip bin, or call us on 0411 131 044, Monday to Saturday, 7am to 5pm.