How skip sizes are measured
A skip's size is its volume in cubic metres. One cubic metre is a cube 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. To make that easier to picture, the table below compares each size with a standard 240-litre household wheelie bin (0.24 m³) and a 6×4 box trailer loaded level with its sides (roughly 1 m³). These are rough comparisons. Bin shapes vary between operators, so we don't quote exact dimensions.
| Size | About | About | Typical Forster job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m³ | ≈ 8 wheelie bins | ≈ 2 trailer loads | A unit or garage clear-out, or a small load of sand, soil or broken pavers. |
| 3 m³ | ≈ 13 wheelie bins | ≈ 3 trailer loads | A holiday rental turnover, a backyard tidy-up or a room or two of furniture. |
| 4 m³ | ≈ 17 wheelie bins | ≈ 4 trailer loads | A bathroom or laundry renovation, or replacing carpets in a beach house. |
| 6 m³ | ≈ 25 wheelie bins | ≈ 6 trailer loads | A kitchen renovation or a larger garden overhaul with palms and hedges. |
| 8 m³ | ≈ 33 wheelie bins | ≈ 8 trailer loads | Downsizing from a family home, or a deceased estate clear-out. |
| 9 m³ | ≈ 38 wheelie bins | ≈ 9 trailer loads | Large renovations and extensions, or a full house with bulky furniture. |
| 12 m³ | ≈ 50 wheelie bins | ≈ 12 trailer loads | Building sites, a deck or carport demolition, or a big block clean-up. Needs room for the truck. |
Wheelie bin figure = size ÷ 0.24 m³, rounded. Not every operator stocks every size.
Choosing the right size
Forster and Tuncurry have lots of units and tight coastal driveways, so skip bags (about 1 m³) and 2–3 m³ mini skips are popular. A 4 m³ skip suits a bathroom, 6 m³ a kitchen or holiday-house turnover, and 8 m³ or more a family home. Palm fronds and hedge trimmings are bulky, so a green-only bin fills by volume long before weight is an issue.
Heavy waste needs a smaller bin
Soil, sand, concrete, bricks, tiles and rock are much heavier than household junk for the same volume. Operators usually limit heavy waste to smaller bins (often 2–4 m³) and may charge for extra weight or ask you not to fill past a line. If you're digging out a garden bed or breaking up a slab, choose "Soil, concrete or bricks" in the form so the quote is based on the right bin.
Skip bags of about 1 m³ are handy for units and narrow driveways. Heavy waste (soil, sand, concrete, tiles) usually needs a smaller bin because of weight limits.
Space and access for the truck
Check driveway width, overhead wires and trees before you book. In unit blocks, ask your strata manager where a bin can go; common property and visitor parking are usually covered by by-laws. If the only space is the street, read the MidCoast permit guide.
Not sure? Ask for help
If you can't decide, pick "Not sure, help me choose" in the quote form and describe the job in a sentence. The local operator who quotes you can suggest a size. If you think you're between two sizes, the bigger one is often cheaper than a second bin later, but check the price of both. See also what can and can't go in a skip.
Where this information comes from
Council rules, hours and fees change. Check with the council or facility before you rely on them.