Rubbish removal (sometimes called man and van waste collection) means a licensed company comes to you, loads the rubbish into their van and takes it away to be recycled or disposed of properly. You don't need a skip, a car or a trip to the tip.
What can be taken
- Household rubbish: bags, boxes, old clothes and clutter
- Furniture: sofas, beds, mattresses, wardrobes and tables. See furniture & appliance removal, or single item removal for just one thing
- Electricals: fridges, freezers, washing machines and TVs
- Garage, shed and loft clear-outs
- Garden waste: branches, cuttings and old garden furniture. See garden waste
- DIY and building waste: old units, flooring and rubble. See builders' waste
How much does rubbish removal cost?
Most companies price by how much of the van your rubbish fills. As a rough guide outside London:
| Load size | Roughly | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum load | A few bags or a small pile | £60 to £100 |
| Quarter van | A small garage or shed clear-out | £90 to £150 |
| Half van | A room's worth of furniture and bags | £150 to £250 |
| Three-quarter van | A big garage or loft | £220 to £340 |
| Full van | Most of a small house | £250 to £400+ |
Just one big item, like a sofa or fridge? It's often priced on its own instead, see single item removal. London and the South East are usually around 15 to 25% higher. Fridges, mattresses, tyres and electricals can cost a bit extra, and heavy waste like soil and rubble may be priced by weight. For a whole property, see house clearance. For tonnes of soil or rubble, a grab lorry is often cheaper.
What changes the price
- Amount. The main thing. You pay for the space in the van you use
- Weight and type. Rubble, soil and some items cost more to dispose of
- Access. Stairs, upper-floor flats and long carries take longer
- Taking things apart. Dismantling wardrobes or beds adds time
- Your area. Labour and tip costs vary around the UK
Rubbish removal vs skip vs council collection
| Rubbish removal | Skip | Council bulky collection | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who loads it | The company | You | You put it outside |
| Permit | Not needed | Needed if on the road | Not needed |
| How fast | Often within a day or two | Delivery, then collection later | Can be a wait of a week or more |
| Best for | Most household jobs | Long jobs filled over days | A few big items, if you can wait |
Check they're licensed
Anyone taking waste away for money must be a registered waste carrier. Ask for their registration number and a waste transfer note or receipt. If an unlicensed collector fly-tips your rubbish, you can be fined, even though you paid them. We only pass your details to licensed companies.
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Areas with local guides: Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Loughborough, Oadby & Wigston, Hinckley and Blaby. See all areas we cover.
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