GET QUOTESRubbish Removal Prices: Rubbish Clearance Costs UK (2024)
Edited by Ali Lijee
Edited by Ali Lijee
Wondering how much rubbish removal costs in the UK? You may be looking for answers to these types of questions:
- How much does rubbish removal cost, on average?
- How are the costs for rubbish removal determined?
- What sorts of additional fees should I watch out for?
- How can I get rid of rubbish for free?
- How can I avoid being overcharged for rubbish removal?
- Is it cheaper to pay by volume of rubbish, or by weight?
The cost of rubbish removal in your area
Table of contents:
- How much does rubbish removal cost?
- Average cost of rubbish removal in the UK (2024)
- Cost estimates of rubbish removal in the UK
- Additional charges for rubbish removal
- Rubbish removal by volume vs load capacity vs weight
- Tips to get rid of rubbish for free
- Rubbish removal prices: Frequently asked questions
- How to save money on rubbish clearance in the UK
- Choose Rubbish.com for affordable rubbish clearance services near you
How much does rubbish removal cost?
Rubbish removal prices are based on many factors, including:
- Quantity of rubbish: volume, capacity of vehicle, and/or payload;
- Type of rubbish or waste
- Labour charges
- Call-out fees
- Location
- Choice of rubbish removal company
- Additional services, e.g. property clean-up
Before engaging in business with a rubbish clearance company, always obtain a no-obligation quote from a licensed waste carrier near you by using a platform such as Rubbish.com
Average cost of rubbish removal in the UK (2024)
How much does rubbish removal cost in the UK? There isn’t one uniform answer and indeed the prices can vary significantly based on the quantity and volume of rubbish, the type of rubbish, your location, and your choice of company.
In terms of location, the South East and London tends to cost more than average than elsewhere in the UK. In terms of company, some charge more, some less, but be wary of companies charging substantially less than the average costs since they may very well be rogue traders that engage in fly tipping (that’s how their prices appear so low!). If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Below are the average costs of rubbish removal in the UK in 2024.
Approximate general costs of rubbish removal services in the UK for 2024
To start off, we’ll consider the overall estimated costs of rubbish removal in the UK as of 2024:
| Service | Unit | Approximate Price Range | Average Price (Ex. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbish removal specialist | Per job | £65-£495 | £265 |
| Rubbish removal | Per hour of labour | - | £50 |
| Rubbish removal | Per cubic yard | - | £65 |
| Skip bin hire | Per skip bin | £165-295 | £255 |
| Man and van rubbish removal | Per hour | £54-£84 | £69 |
Generally, rubbish removal from a qualified man and van rubbish clearance team will cost anywhere from £65 to £495 on average. This varies so much because, well, simply put this could range from the removal of a couple old mattresses to clearing out an entire estate of rubbish and filling up an entire box tipper.
When compared to hiring a skip bin, rubbish removal tends to be far more cost-effective in most circumstances. There are certain circumstances where hiring a skip bin may be more practical and affordable, but for general household clearance, infrequent rubbish removal, or commercial business rubbish removal, for example, a man and van team tends to be far more affordable and convenient.
Approximate cost of a house clearance in the UK for 2024
Another way to gauge the approximate cost of rubbish removal is by considering the most commonly requested service, household clearance, by the size of the house. This assumes that the entire house will be cleared out and not just a garage or basement, for example.
See the below table for an estimate of the cost of a full house clearance by size of house contrasted with the cost of hiring a van and doing it yourself:
| Size of house | Approximate Cost of a Removals Company | Approximate Cost of Hiring a Van |
|---|---|---|
| One bedroom | £455 | £95 |
| Two bedrooms | £595 | £185 |
| Three bedrooms | £795 | Not recommended |
| Four or more bedrooms | £1,100 | Not recommended |
Naturally, the amount of rubbish you need removed and the size of the rooms in your home might vary quite a bit from someone else’s, so please consider these as ballpark averages as well.
The cost of hiring your own van to remove rubbish may seem attractively low, but you must also consider the time and effort required to load, transport, and dispose of rubbish at a designated waste disposal facility. The total costs of doing it yourself will likely be substantially higher, so it is strongly recommended to hire a professional rubbish clearance company if you need full or partial house clearance services.
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Cost estimates of rubbish removal in the UK
While it may be helpful to have a rough figure in mind before calling a rubbish removal company near you, the price can vary so much that you could be paying far too little (a telltale sign of an illegal rogue trader that engages in fly tipping) or far too much.
To give you a more accurate - but nonetheless estimated - impression of how much you will likely have to pay for rubbish removal, it is better to consider your rubbish by volume. Most rubbish clearance companies charge by the load (e.g. ¼ load, half load, full load), cubic yards, or in some cases per weight. This is also helpful because it can give you a rough impression of how long the job will take.
Approximate cost breakdown of rubbish removal by volume/payload in the UK
The below table is an aggregated estimate of the cost of rubbish removal by approximate capacity, cubic yards, and payload (maximum weight). The price range was taken from listed prices from leading national rubbish removal companies in the UK as of 2024 whereas the average price is the arithmetic mean of these companies’ listed prices.
| Approximate Capacity | Cubic Yards | Approximate Max Weight | Approximate Labour Requirement | Estimated Price Range | Average Price (Ex. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Min Load |
1 | 70-100 kg | 5-10 mins | £35-£90 | £62 |
| 2 | 200 kg | 15 mins | £80-£120 | £100 | |
| 3 | 250-300 kg | 20 mins | £90-£100 | £95 | |
|
¼ load |
4 | 400 kg | 15-25 mins | £60-£180 | £120 |
| 5 | 375-500 kg | 30 mins | £120 | £120 | |
| 6 | 600 kg | 35 mins | £140-£240 | £190 | |
| 7 | 500-700 kg | 40 mins | £150-£160 | £155 | |
|
½ load |
8 | 1,000 kg | 30-45 mins | £90-£260 | £173 |
| 9 | 1,000 kg | 45 mins | £200 | £200 | |
| 10 | 750-1,000 kg | 50 mins | £200-£480 | £300 | |
| 11 | 1,000 kg | 50 mins | £240 | £240 | |
|
¾ load |
12 | 1,000 kg | 45-60 mins | £140-£260 | £221 |
| 13 | 1,000 kg | 60 mins | £280 | £280 | |
| 14 | 1,000 kg | 60 mins | £300 | £300 | |
| 15 | 1,000 kg | 60 mins | £320 | £320 | |
| Full load | 16 | 1,000+ kg | 60-90 mins | £220-£520 | £343 |
The large national rubbish removal companies consulted for this data do not specify the type of vehicle used, but given the predominance of box tippers and Luton vans for ordinary household rubbish removal in the UK it is reasonable to assume that these estimates are based on these vehicle types.
If in doubt about pricing, don’t hesitate to ask your preferred rubbish removal company what type of vehicle they use. A half load in a small transit van is a lot smaller than a half load in a large Luton van, so don’t be fooled into paying more than expected.
Rubbish and waste with additional surcharges
The quantity and volume of rubbish and waste are certainly amongst the most important factors for determining the price of rubbish removal, but the type of rubbish or waste often matters as well.
Most rubbish removal companies are accustomed to handling mixed rubbish and waste and will sort and dispose of waste responsibly, but certain specific items will always command a surcharge because waste disposal facilities such as landfills and recycling centres must charge this surcharge and the cost is passed onto you, the customer.
Some examples include:
| Rubbish/Service | Approximate Price Range |
|---|---|
| TVs | £15-£45 |
| Monitors | £15-£45 |
| Fridges/Freezers (small) | £30-£60 |
| Fridges/Freezers (large) | £50-£80 |
| Fridges/Freezers (commercial) | £80-£280 |
| Washing machines & dryers | £35-£60 |
| Dishwashers | £35 |
| Microwaves | £15 |
| Mattresses (single) | £25-£30 |
| Mattresses (double) | £50-£60 |
| Mattresses (King size) | £100 |
| Bulbs & fluorescent tubes | £2-£3 |
| Air conditioning unit | £75 |
| Car tyres | £10 |
| Paint | £5 per 5L can |
| Car batteries | £10 |
| Fire extinguishers | £20 |
| Builder’s waste (light) | £240 |
| Extra labour | £10 per additional 10 mins |
Some of these types of waste are considered hazardous waste and/or may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), for example, and require additional care and compliance when they are scheduled for disposal.
Additional charges for rubbish removal
The main cost of rubbish removal that customers are charged for is the cost of labour required to complete the job. There may be additional charges depending on the type of service requested and the rubbish removal company. Whatever the case, any additional charges should be clearly communicated to you in a detailed, itemised quote so that there aren’t any “hidden” fees added on without your knowledge or consent.
Some examples include:
- Additional labour: if there is unanticipated labour required, such as more manpower needed, extra flights of stairs to carry bulky items up or down, or the rubbish is much heavier or more difficult to transport than anticipated, additional labour may be charged;
- Hazardous waste or surcharge waste: rubbish or waste that requires a surcharge by the landfill or recycling facility (as mentioned in the previous section) that were unanticipated must be charged to the customer, and any hazardous waste that cannot be collected or disposed of must be sorted out from the remainder of the rubbish, which may require more labour;
- Fuel surcharges: customers in remote areas where rubbish removal companies must drive a considerable distance may add a fuel surcharge. In London’s ULEZ and other zones with congestion charges, these fees are often “baked in” to the final quoted cost of labour;
- Call-out charges: some rubbish removal companies charge a call-out fee, typically a flat fee, whereas others have no call-out fee and simply charge for labour;
- Dismantling & clean-up fees: many household clearance and garden clearance companies provide clean-up services for their customers’ homes and/or gardens - a convenient service to be sure but one that may command an additional fee. Some rubbish removal companies can help dismantle sheds, conservatories, or other such structures and dispose of the material waste. The dismantling may be charged separately.
Rubbish removal by volume vs load capacity vs weight
Whenever you’re looking for a cheap rubbish removal service and you want a same-day or next-day service, you’ll certainly want to obtain an itemised quote that breaks down the estimated cost. Rubbish removal companies tend to charge by cubic yard, load capacity, or in some cases by weight. What is the difference between these methods?
By cubic yard
Most rubbish removal companies charge by the cubic yard of rubbish to be collected. This method is fairly standard and allows man and van rubbish clearance teams to quickly provide a reasonably accurate estimate of the total cost.
How big is a cubic yard? A cubic yard is 1x1x1 yards or 3x3x3 feet, or 0.7646 cubic metres if you’re a metrically inclined individual. Roughly, a cubic yard is about the size of a tall refrigerator or the size of two washing machines.
Estimating rubbish removal by the cubic yard is helpful for rubbish clearance companies since many operate Luton vans or box tippers with a capacity of around 10-14 cubic yards. Regardless of the vehicle they use, one cubic yard is one cubic yard so you can get a reasonable idea of how much rubbish removal will cost.
By vehicle load capacity
Another helpful (but sometimes deceptive) way of estimating the cost of rubbish removal is per load capacity of the rubbish removal vehicle. Many leading rubbish clearance companies list their prices by load, e.g. ¼ load, full load, etc. This is helpful as a rough guide, assuming that all rubbish removal vehicles are the same in size and capacity. If a price seems reasonable to you, make sure that your preferred rubbish removal company is using a realistic vehicle size so you aren’t being overcharged.
If the amount of rubbish exceeds the capacity of the vehicle, the company will either need to send a larger vehicle or, more commonly, make two or more trips. This will drive up labour costs and take longer. Communicate clearly with the rubbish removal team over the phone about how much rubbish you need removed so that there are no unwanted (read: expensive) surprises when they arrive at your property.
By weight
Reputable rubbish removal companies don’t typically charge by weight of rubbish or waste to be removed, but instead may tell customers about the maximum weight capacity for practical purposes and as a rough guide.
Note that some specialist rubbish removal services mostly charge by weight, such as construction and demolition debris and other inert waste such as soils. For most ordinary household clearance such as furniture or white goods removal, this is far less common.
For customers, it’s usually not as intuitive to gauge the total combined weight of their rubbish and a less-than-reputable rubbish clearance company could overcharge by weight, so generally it’s best to look for a company that quotes by cubic yard and/or vehicle capacity.
For rubbish clearance companies, however, weight is an important consideration. Most rubbish clearance companies operate LGVs with a maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tonnes. A typical box tipper or Luton van can weigh anywhere from around 2.0-2.5 tonnes without any rubbish loaded; that’s just the vehicle, fuel, and personnel. That leaves around 1.0-1.5 tonnes of rubbish that can safely be loaded onto the vehicle, so the rubbish removal team must have a reasonable idea of how heavy their payload (the rubbish) is.
Tips to get rid of rubbish for free
Want to get rid of rubbish for free? There are many legal ways of getting rid of unwanted rubbish or waste from your home or business without paying a single penny. Whether or not they are worth the time and effort, however, is completely up to you.
- Refurbish and reuse old furniture, electronics, or other rubbish;
- DIY home projects, e.g. swings from old tyres, flowerbeds from wooden pallets;
- Verify if your local council provides rubbish collection for specific types of rubbish (some are free, most charge for this service);
- Give unwanted rubbish to friends or family members if they can put it to good use;
- Find a “buyer” on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or other similar platforms and set the price to £0;
- Donate your rubbish to a charitable organisation.
Rubbish removal prices: Frequently asked questions
What determines the cost of rubbish removal in the UK?
The cost of rubbish removal in the UK is largely determined by the quantity of rubbish, the type of rubbish or waste, weight, your location, and your choice of rubbish removal company. Rubbish.com has licensed waste carriers offering competitive prices for rubbish clearance services.
What is the average cost of rubbish removal in the UK per cubic yard?
The average price of rubbish removal in the UK is approximately £75 per cubic yard, although this price can vary marginally based on many other factors. Generally, the cost per cubic yard goes down with higher volumes of rubbish collection.
Are there any types of rubbish or waste that have additional surcharges?
Yes. Landfills and recycling facilities in the UK have surcharges for specific types of waste such as mattresses, fluorescent bulbs, car batteries, tyres, and more. Rubbish removal companies must pass on these surcharges to you, the end customer.
Does the cost of rubbish removal vary in different parts of the UK?
Yes. The cost of rubbish removal tends to be highest in London and the South East, whereas the cost tends to be closer to the average or slightly below elsewhere in the UK.
Is it cheaper to pay for rubbish removal by volume or by weight?
It all depends on the company, but generally the cost of rubbish removal tends to be more fair and transparent when charged by volume, i.e. per cubic yard or per vehicle load. Rubbish removal by weight is more common for heavy-duty construction and demolition debris.
Can I get a quote for rubbish removal without anyone visiting my property?
Yes. Many rubbish removal companies today can offer reasonably fair and accurate quotes for rubbish removal based on your description, or more commonly by sending them photographs of the rubbish. Nevertheless, an on-site assessment may be necessary or preferable if there is any doubt.
Are there any ways to get cheap rubbish collection?
Yes. A combination of refurbishing, reusing, donating, and/or selling unwanted rubbish can greatly lower the costs of rubbish removal. Furthermore, you should consider obtaining a free quote from a local, independent rubbish clearance company by using a platform such as Rubbish.com.
Is the cost of labour included in the total price of rubbish removal?
Labour and any other fees should be clearly added to a quote based on a reasonable estimate. If additional labour is required beyond what was expected, make sure that your rubbish removal company is transparent about their labour fees.
Q: How can I compare rubbish removal providers to find the most cost-effective option?
A: Consider factors such as transparency in pricing, licensing of waste carriers, and customer reviews. Our "Comparing Rubbish Removal Providers" section provides guidance on evaluating options.
Find the best prices for rubbish clearance UK-wide
How to save money on rubbish clearance in the UK
The cost of rubbish removal can vary quite a bit in the UK but there are a few ways to get rid of unwanted rubbish and waste from your property without having to spend a small fortune. We’ve already covered how to get rid of rubbish for free and that may be viable for some, but not for other individuals.
Often, there’s simply no better option than calling a man and van team to clear out rubbish from your home or business. Below are a few ways to potentially save money on rubbish clearance services:
- Sort out your unwanted rubbish first to reduce the cost of labour;
- Reduce the amount of rubbish to be collected by donating, selling, or giving away as much as possible first;
- Schedule an appointment with a rubbish removal company in advance and ask if there are any discounts available;
- Try to choose local, independent rubbish clearance companies that have lower overheads and tend to offer more competitive prices;
- Use Rubbish.com to find affordable, licensed waste carriers in the UK.
Choose Rubbish.com for affordable rubbish clearance services near you
Choose Rubbish.com for dependable, flexible rubbish removal services in the UK at affordable prices from independent, licensed waste carriers. Our platform puts you in direct contact with local rubbish removal companies operating in towns and cities across the UK. Start using our platform today and get no-obligation quotes for rubbish removal near you.