One Prime Waste Services grab lorry carries up to 20 cubic yards, or approximately 16 tonnes, per load. That is several times what a typical builder’s skip holds, so on a job with a lot of soil, rubble or hardcore, a single grab lorry visit usually replaces several skips. Below we explain how the two compare, when each one makes sense, and how to work out roughly how much waste you have before you ask for a quote.
Grab lorry vs skip: how the capacity compares
Our grab lorries are fitted with Epsilon cranes and take up to 20 cubic yards, approximately 16 tonnes, in one load, subject to loading and road restrictions. The crane lifts the waste straight into the lorry’s body, which is then driven away to be dealt with. Nothing is left on your drive or the road.
Skips come in a range of sizes, commonly known in the UK as mini, midi, builder’s and maxi or larger roll-on roll-off containers. The builder’s skip is the one most people picture on a residential street, and it typically holds only a fraction of what one grab lorry load can take. If your job produces heavy material, a skip can also reach its weight limit well before it looks full, which is why heavy spoil often needs several skip exchanges.
Two limits apply to any load: volume and weight. Light, bulky waste such as hedge cuttings fills space quickly without weighing much. Dense material such as soil, clay, concrete and hardcore is heavy for its size, so the weight figure can be the one that decides how much goes on. When you describe your waste to us, we can tell you which limit is likely to matter.
When a grab lorry beats a skip, and when it does not
A grab lorry tends to be the better fit when:
- You have a large amount of heavy waste, such as soil from a footing or extension dig, broken concrete from a patio lift, or hardcore from a driveway breakout.
- There is no room for a skip, or a skip would have to stand on the road.
- The waste is behind a wall, fence or front garden. The crane reaches up to 7.5m depending on vehicle and site conditions, so it can lift over walls, fences and parked cars from the roadside.
- You want the waste gone in one visit, rather than waiting days with a full skip and arranging exchanges.
- Your team would otherwise spend hours barrowing rubble to a container. With a grab, the waste can simply be left in a pile ready for the crane.
A skip can still suit some jobs better. If you are producing a small, steady trickle of light mixed waste over several weeks, for example during a strip-out where a container can stand off the highway on your own drive, having somewhere to throw things as you go may be more convenient. Prime Waste Services provides grab hire as an alternative to skips, so it is worth weighing up which suits your job before you book.
Access and permits on the road
Because the grab lorry loads and leaves, no skip permit is needed. A skip that has to stand on the public road is a different matter, so if you are weighing up a skip, check with your local council what it requires before you book.
For a grab lorry, the driver positions the vehicle on the road or on hardstanding, puts the stabiliser legs down on firm ground and works the crane from there. What matters is:
- Somewhere the lorry can safely stop for the time it takes to load.
- Firm ground for the stabilisers.
- A pile within reach of the crane, up to 7.5m depending on vehicle and site conditions.
- Any overhead cables, trees or low branches near the pile, which you should mention when you book.
Some streets have loading or waiting restrictions, such as red routes or permit-controlled zones. Tell us the site address when you ask for a quote and we will talk through how the lorry can load at your frontage.
What can go in a grab lorry
A grab is built for heavy, loose material. Grab lorry loads can include:
- Soil, stones and muck from excavations
- Concrete, rubble and hardcore
- General construction and demolition waste
- Green waste and garden or landscaping clearance
- Builders’ waste from domestic extensions and refurbishments
Some items are not accepted on a grab lorry, including chemicals, liquids and other hazardous materials, along with some bulky household items. Keep excluded items out of the pile, and if you are unsure about anything in it, mention it when you request your quote. Mixed soil and rubble is fine, provided it is free of excluded items.
We hold Environment Agency waste carrier registration CBDU480663 and Goods Vehicle Operator Licence OK2066087, and a waste transfer note is issued for every load, so you have a record of where your waste went.
How to estimate your load
You do not need exact figures to get a quote, but a rough idea helps us confirm the right vehicle and number of loads.
- Measure the pile or the dig. Note the length, width and depth of the area you are digging out, or the rough size of the heap you have built up. Remember that dug soil takes up more space once it has been loosened.
- Say what the waste is. Soil, clay, concrete, hardcore, green waste or a mix all behave differently. Heavy material is more likely to reach the weight limit than the volume limit.
- Count your skips. If you have filled skips on a similar job before, tell us how many and what size. It is a useful comparison.
- Describe the access. Where the lorry can stop, how far the pile is from the kerb and whether there are walls, fences or cables in the way.
- Send photos. A couple of pictures of the waste and the frontage often answer most of the questions in one go.
Where it suits the job, a delivery of aggregates, topsoil or Type 1 MOT can be combined with a collection, so the lorry does not travel empty.
Grab Lorry or Skip: Customer Questions
How many skips does one grab lorry load replace?
One load of up to 20 cubic yards, approximately 16 tonnes, typically replaces several skips in a single visit. The exact comparison depends on the skip size you have in mind and how heavy your waste is.
Do I need a permit for a grab lorry?
No skip permit is needed, because the lorry loads and leaves rather than standing on the road. If your street has loading restrictions, give us the address and we will talk through the options.
Can the grab reach over my wall or fence?
Yes, in most cases. The crane reaches up to 7.5m depending on vehicle and site conditions, so waste can be lifted over walls, fences and parked cars from the roadside.
How much does a grab lorry load cost?
Prices are quoted for each job and depend on the load size, the type of waste, the distance and the access. Send us the site address, waste type and access details and we will come back with a price.
Can you collect the same day?
Same-day and next-day collections are often possible, but they are always subject to availability. Booking ahead gives you a better chance of getting the slot you want.
Get a grab lorry quote
Prime Waste Services is based in Croydon and covers Croydon and the surrounding South London and Surrey areas, including South Croydon, New Addington, Purley, Coulsdon, Sutton, Bromley and Sanderstead. Read more about our grab hire services and muck away, check the areas we cover, or use our contact page. To work out whether a grab lorry or a skip suits your job, call 07778 541120 or 020 7167 8474, or email info@primewasteservicesltd.com with the site address, waste type and access details.
