Choosing a skip bin size is the question we get asked most at Barrett’s Bins and Transport. Too small and you pay for a second delivery, too big and you pay for air. This guide shows how to size a bin for the most common jobs around Hervey Bay, Maryborough and the Fraser Coast, using the same advice we give on the phone every day.
In this guide
The quick rule of thumb
Think in wheelie bins. Estimate how many standard 240 litre wheelie bins your pile would fill, then match it to the table below. Most people underestimate by about a third, because waste always looks smaller in a pile than it does in a bin. When you are between two sizes, take the bigger one. The step up in price is small compared to a second bin delivery.
Skip bin sizes compared
These are the sizes we deliver across Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast.
| Bin size | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Holds about | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cubic metre | 1.35m x 1.5m x 1.25m | 8 wheelie bins | Small clean ups, tight access, single rooms |
| 3 cubic metre | 2.4m x 1.5m x 0.9m | 12 wheelie bins | Garden tidy ups and small declutters |
| 4 cubic metre | 2.5m x 1.5m x 1.25m | 16 wheelie bins | Most renovations and spring cleans |
| 6 cubic metre | 3.6m x 1.5m x 1.25m | 24 wheelie bins | Kitchen or bathroom renos, furniture |
| 8 cubic metre | 4.5m x 1.7m x 1.2m | 32 wheelie bins | Large homes, building sites, bulky items |
When to size up
Some jobs always produce more waste than expected. Renovations uncover surprises behind walls and under floors. Deceased estates and moving clean ups grow once cupboards start emptying. Established Hervey Bay gardens produce far more green waste than a quick look suggests, especially after storm season. If your job is one of these, go up a size from your first guess. You can read more about what drives the price in our skip bin cost guide.
The most common call we get mid job is can you swap this for a bigger one. When someone is torn between two sizes we always say take the bigger bin, nobody has ever complained about spare room.
Tips to get more into your bin
- Break down and flatten boxes and furniture first
- Load flat items on the bottom and fill gaps as you go
- Cut branches to length rather than throwing them in whole
- Keep heavy materials like concrete separate, they need a dedicated bin
- Never fill above the rim, the bin must be safe to transport
Sizing by job type
Bathroom renos usually fit a 4 cubic metre bin. Kitchens and multi room projects suit a 6, while whole home renovations or anything with demolition need an 8 or our hook bins.
Green waste is bulky but light. A 3 cubic metre bin handles a normal garden tidy up, a 4 handles an overgrown yard and storm clean ups often justify a 6.
Declutters before a move usually need a 4. Full house clear outs and deceased estates are nearly always 6 or 8, they grow as you go.
Small trade jobs suit a 6 or 8 cubic metre skip. Ongoing sites and construction volumes are better served by 12 to 30 cubic metre hook bins with rear door access.
Frequently asked questions
The 4 cubic metre bin. It handles most renovations, spring cleans and garden clean ups while still fitting on a normal driveway.
About 16 standard 240 litre wheelie bins. A 2 cubic metre bin holds about 8 and an 8 cubic metre bin holds about 32.
We can arrange a second bin, but it costs more than simply taking the larger size first. When in doubt, size up.
Yes. An 8 cubic metre bin is 4.5 metres long so it needs a decent driveway. Our 2 and 3 cubic metre bins suit tight access, and our drivers are used to tricky Hervey Bay blocks.
Heavy materials like concrete, brick and soil need a dedicated heavy waste bin regardless of size. Tell us when you book and we will send the right bin.
Tell us the job and your suburb and we will recommend the size. See our skip bins in Hervey Bay page or get a quote.
Still not sure on size?
Tell us the job and we will match the bin, it takes two minutes.