A wait and load skip is the answer when there is nowhere to leave a skip. Instead of sitting on your drive for two weeks, the lorry arrives, you load it while the driver waits, and it is taken away full. If you are clearing a house in Poole, a shop in Dorchester or a yard in Weymouth with no space and no permit, this is how wait and load skip hire works across Dorset.
Get a skip price for your postcode → — or call 0800 652 0160 and tell us you want a wait and load.
How wait and load works
It is a normal skip hire with one difference: the skip does not stay behind.
- You book it. Tell us your postcode, what you are clearing and what the access is like. Say “wait and load” so we schedule it that way.
- The lorry arrives. The driver puts the skip down where you want it.
- You load while the driver waits. The first 45 minutes are free.
- It goes away full. When you are done, the skip is lifted back onto the lorry and taken away, so nothing is left on the road or the drive.
What wait and load costs
The first 45 minutes are included free. After that it is £120 an hour, charged in 30-minute blocks — so £60 for each extra half hour. All our prices include VAT.
For example, if you finish within 45 minutes you pay nothing extra. If the job takes an hour and a quarter, that is 30 minutes over, so £60. Skip prices themselves depend on your postcode, the size and the type of waste, so the quickest way to see a real figure for your address is to get a price online.
Why it usually means no permit
A skip left on a public road needs a council permit. A 14-day Dorset Council permit is £132 inc VAT and a 7-day BCP Council permit is £114 inc VAT (April 2026 fees) — see our guide to skip permits in Dorset for the full breakdown.
Because a wait and load skip is not left behind, it usually avoids that cost and the delay of arranging one. Usually, not always: if the skip would have to stand on a public road for any length of time, or there are parking restrictions outside, tell us when you book and we will tell you where you stand.
When wait and load is the right choice
- No space for a skip. Terraced streets, town-centre shops and shared yards where a skip cannot sit for days.
- No permit. You would rather not pay for one or wait for it to be approved.
- A one-off blitz. A garage, shed, loft or garden you can clear in an hour or two with a few pairs of hands.
- Fast turnaround. You want the waste gone the same visit, not collected later.
If the job is going to take days — a full renovation, say — a standard skip left on your property for the 14 days included is the better fit. See what size skip do I need for help choosing.
Getting the most from your 45 minutes
- Get ready before the lorry arrives. Stack the waste near the loading point and have your helpers there.
- Heavy and flat items first, then fill the gaps. Never load above the rim — an overloaded skip cannot be legally transported.
- Pick the right size for the waste. Rubble goes in 4, 6 and 8 yard skips only. Soil goes in a 6 yard at most, never an 8. A 12 yard is for light waste only.
- Keep the waste type clean. Mixing general rubbish into a rubble or soil load changes how it is priced.
What cannot go in
The same rules apply as for any skip. Asbestos, wet paint, liquids, chemicals and clinical waste cannot go in at all — see can asbestos go in a skip? if you suspect it. Some items, such as mattresses and tyres, can go in but must be declared and carry a small surcharge. Our guide to what can and can’t go in a skip has the full list.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I get with a wait and load?
The first 45 minutes are free. After that it is £120 an hour, charged in 30-minute blocks.
What happens if I go over 45 minutes?
Nothing goes wrong — the driver keeps waiting and you are charged £60 for each extra half hour. If you think the job will run long, tell us at booking and we will help you decide whether a standard skip is cheaper.
Do I need a permit for a wait and load skip?
Usually not, because the skip is not left on the road. If it would have to stand on a public road, or there are parking restrictions, tell us when you book so we can advise.
Which skip size should I choose?
Choose by the job, not the price. For a garage or garden clear-out a 6 or 8 yard is common. For heavy rubble or soil stay with 4, 6 or 8 yard for rubble and a 6 yard at most for soil. Our skip size guide will help.
Can I put soil and rubble in?
Yes, but they are heavy and reach the weight limit long before the skip looks full. Keep them separate from general waste and size down.
How do I book a wait and load?
Get a price online or call 0800 652 0160. Give us your postcode, what you are clearing and the access, and say you want a wait and load. We run our own skips across our Dorset areas — see our skip hire pages for where.
Book a wait and load skip in Dorset
Tell us your postcode and what you are clearing and we will give you a price, not a range.
