4 Ways to Reduce Skip Bin Permit Costs
4 Ways to Reduce Skip Bin Permit Costs
If you can put a skip bin on your property, say on your driveway or in your yard, then you don't need to worry about getting a council permit. However, you do need a permit if you have to put the bin on council land such as a public footpath, road or nature strip.
While councils have fixed fees for skip bin permits, your final costs might vary. You could end up paying more than you expected. To keep permit costs to a minimum, you should plan ahead. How can you keep these costs low?
1. Apply as early as you can
Most councils charge an application fee when you submit a skip bin permit. However, permit charges sometimes change depending on when you apply.
Your council will have a preferred timescale to process these permit applications. Their base charge will be based on whether they have enough time to check and issue the permit to meet the date you want to put the skip bin in place.
In some cases, councils charge more if you apply for a permit without giving them the required amount of notice. So, for example, if your council asks for seven days' notice, then you'll pay the basic fee if you meet this deadline.
If the council allows short-notice applications, then you might have to pay a higher charge if you don't submit your application within these seven days. So plan ahead and make your application in good time.
2. Keep your hire time short
Your permit application fee buys you a set number of days during which you can have a skip bin on council land. For example, an initial fee might allow a bin to be on site for a day, three days or one week.
If you need a bin for longer, you have to pay more. You'll usually pay a flat cost per day for every extra day the skip bin is on council land. If you keep your bin in place for a long time, these costs mount up.
You can save money here by planning ahead. Think about how long you actually need the skip bin. If you aim to fill it fast and have it removed quickly, then you won't incur extra costs.
3. Choose your location carefully
The location of your skip bin can affect your permit costs, depending on your council's charges. Some councils use a sliding scale of charges here.
For example, it's often more cost-effective to put a skip bin in a marked parking bay than on a footpath or road. The more disruption a bin might cause to pedestrians and traffic, the higher your fees might be.
So, be sure to check out if location makes a difference in the permit regulations where you live. If you can find a cheaper spot, then you may want to put the bin a little further away from your home.
4. Make sure you follow guidelines
Your council will have a set of terms and conditions that outline your responsibilities and liabilities when you put a skip bin on public land. You should take care to stick to these guidelines.
If you don't, then you may end up paying additional costs over and above your permit fees. For example, if your skip bin, or the way you use it, damages council land or property, then you may have to pay to have the damage fixed.
To make sure that your permit application goes through smoothly, contact Green Bins. While you have to apply for a permit yourself, we can give you advice on location, timings, bin size and local regulations. Once you've got the go-ahead, we will drop off and collect your bin safely and quickly.