Cubic Yards vs Van Load — A Visual Volume Guide
When skip companies talk in cubic yards and we talk in van loads, it can be hard to compare like for like. Here's the conversion for Scottish clearance pricing.
The conversion table
| Volume | Cubic yards | Equivalent skip | Cheaper Than A Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single mattress / sofa | ~1 yd³ | Bag | Minimum (£30) |
| Garage tidy / one-bed clearance | ~3 yd³ | 2-yard mini skip | Quarter (£75) |
| Two-bed flat / large garage | ~6 yd³ | 4-yard midi skip | Half (£110) |
| Three-bed clearance | ~9 yd³ | 6-yard builders skip | Three-quarter (£150) |
| Full house clearance | ~12 yd³ | 8-yard maxi skip | Full van (£185) |
Why the volumes work out roughly the same
A standard Luton-back transit holds 12–14 cubic yards. A typical 6-yard skip holds 6 yards (the clue is in the name). The difference between us and skip hire isn't volume — it's who does the loading and how long it takes.
When volumes diverge
Real-world volumes in skips are usually 30% less than the rated capacity, because items don't pack well — sofas, wardrobes and white goods leave huge air gaps. A man and van load is closer to 90% of capacity because we pack as we go. So a "6-yard" skip and our "half van load" will often hold the same amount of furniture in practice, even though our half-load is rated lower.
How to estimate your own volume
A rough rule:
- Sofa = 1 yd³
- Double mattress + base = 1.5 yd³
- Wardrobe (3-door) = 2 yd³
- Fridge or washing machine = 1 yd³
- Dining table + 4 chairs = 1.5 yd³
- 10 stuffed bin bags of clutter = 1 yd³
Add it up and the van size you need will match a rated load on our pricing page.
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