If you are undertaking a home improvement project, or are cleaning out your office of old junk, you may be considering hiring a skip bin. Skip bins are waste containers of varying sizes that you can rent for a number of different projects. But if this is your first time dealing with a skip bin hire, here are three important things to know.

You May Need A Permit

If space limitations require that you place your skip bin on the street or sidewalk, which are both considered public thoroughfares, you will need to obtain a council permit. The challenge with council permits for skip bin hire is that each council has different regulations regarding who has to obtain the permit. In some cities, you are required to obtain the permit prior to renting the skip bin, and in other cities, the skip bin operator must be registered with the council, and must carry an annual permit. Make sure you ask the skip bin company what the regulations are regarding the permit, or you may not be able to place the skip bin on the street.

Mobile Skips Offer Advantages

Mobile skips are built like standard front-loading bins, but they feature wheels, which makes them easy to move. If you are using the skip bin in an underground parking garage or carport, or if you need a bin that can be moved to make your job more efficient, then a mobile skip bin is the one you should rent. The other advantage of a mobile skip bin is that you don't need to obtain a council permit to place it on a curb or street, because the mobile nature of the bin means that it can be easily moved if it becomes an obstruction to pedestrian or road traffic. Mobile skip bins are also ideal if you live in an apartment and are cleaning out junk because you can place the mobile bin in your parking space without blocking a large area.

You Must Specify Your Waste Type

Nearly all skip bin companies require you to put in writing the waste type for which you are renting the bin. Most waste types fall into categories such as general waste (furniture, garbage, wood, appliances), garden waste (leaves, branches, grass), and heavy waste (bricks, concrete, rocks, tiles). However, your contract will stipulate that you cannot throw any type of liquid or food waste into a skip bin, and hazardous waste such as batteries, pesticides, petrol, oil, asbestos and solvents are prohibited. If you throw away a waste not designated on your contract, the skip bin company will charge you for the disposal of those items.

For more information, contact a local service like commercial bin hire Melbourne.