Skip Hire Vs Grab Hire

Grab Hire vs Skip Hire: Which Is Right for Your Project?

If you’ve got a pile of excavated soil, demolition rubble, or general construction waste to shift, you’ve probably weighed up the classic question: grab hire or skip hire?

Both get the job done, but they work in very different ways — and choosing the right one can save you time, money, and a fair bit of hassle. Here’s a straightforward breakdown to help you decide.

What’s the Difference?

Skip hire is what most people picture: a large metal container dropped off at your site, filled by you or your team, then collected once it’s full. It’s a solid option for smaller jobs where you can load manually and have the space (and permit, if needed) to keep a skip on site for several days.

Grab hire works differently. A grab lorry arrives, uses a hydraulic arm to ‘grab’ your waste directly from the ground (or over walls, fences, or obstacles), and takes it away in one visit. There’s no waiting around for a second collection, and you don’t need to load anything yourself.

When to Choose Grab Hire

Grab hire tends to win when:

• You’ve got a large volume of waste — a single grab can carry the equivalent of 2–3 skips.

• Access is awkward — the hydraulic arm can reach over hedges, walls, or into tight spots.

• You don’t have the manpower or time to load manually.

• You need the waste gone quickly — same-day or next-day collection is often possible.

• You want to avoid skip permits for public roads.

When Skip Hire Makes Sense

Skip hire can still be the better choice if:

• You’re generating waste gradually over days or weeks and need somewhere to store it.

• Your site has easy access and space for a skip to sit.

• You’re dealing with smaller, lighter materials that are easy to load by hand.

Cost Comparison

On a per-tonne basis, grab hire often works out cheaper — especially for bulk waste like soil, clay, or hardcore. A grab lorry can carry 15–16 tonnes in a single load, which means fewer trips, less labour, and more efficient removal. When you factor in the time saved on manual loading, the maths usually favours grab hire for mid-to-large jobs.

The Bottom Line

For commercial sites, groundworks, and construction projects, grab hire is often the faster, more cost-effective solution. If you’re not sure which is right for your job, give us a call — we’re happy to talk through the options and give you a straightforward quote.