How many 8-yard skips do I need for a 10m foundation?

For a 10m long, 0.6m wide, and 1m deep trench, the solid volume is 6m³. When dug, clay can bulk by 40%, resulting in 8.4m³ of waste. Since an 8-yard skip holds roughly 6m³, you would need 2 skips.

What is a soil bulking factor?

Soil is compacted in the ground. Once you dig it up, air gets in and the particles separate, causing the volume to increase. This increase is called the 'bulking factor'. For clay, this is typically 1.3 to 1.5 times the original volume.

What is 'Muck-Away' and is it cheaper than skips?

Muck-away is a service where a large 8-wheel 'grab' lorry (holding approx 12-15 tonnes) removes the waste. For large excavations (over 10m³), muck-away is usually much cheaper and faster than hiring multiple individual skips.

Do I need shoring for my trench?

In the UK, health and safety regulations state that no person should enter a trench deeper than 1.2 metres unless it has been shored (supported) or the sides have been battered back to a safe angle.

How many 8-yard skips do I need for a 10m foundation?

For a 10m long, 0.6m wide, and 1m deep trench, the solid volume is 6m³. When dug, clay can bulk by 40%, resulting in 8.4m³ of waste. Since an 8-yard skip holds roughly 6m³, you would need 2 skips.

What is a soil bulking factor?

Soil is compacted in the ground. Once you dig it up, air gets in and the particles separate, causing the volume to increase. This increase is called the 'bulking factor'. For clay, this is typically 1.3 to 1.5 times the original volume.

What is 'Muck-Away' and is it cheaper than skips?

Muck-away is a service where a large 8-wheel 'grab' lorry (holding approx 12-15 tonnes) removes the waste. For large excavations (over 10m³), muck-away is usually much cheaper and faster than hiring multiple individual skips.

Do I need shoring for my trench?

In the UK, health and safety regulations state that no person should enter a trench deeper than 1.2 metres unless it has been shored (supported) or the sides have been battered back to a safe angle.

Trench Excavation Estimator

Calculate soil volume, bulking, and skip requirements.

Total Trench Length (m)

Trench Width (mm)

Trench Depth (mm)

Primary Soil Type

Disposal Report

Skip Tip: If disposing of heavy wet clay or soil, most UK skip companies will only allow an **8 yard skip** maximum. 10 or 12 yard skips are for light 'builders' waste only.

Excavation Logistics: Managing the Muck

Ground Breaking

Digging a trench is often the first major task on a building site. Whether it's for foundations, utility pipes, or drainage, the amount of waste generated is almost always underestimated.

Our **trench calculator** accounts for the physical reality of soil expansion, helping you budget for the correct number of skips or grab lorries.

UK Bulking Factors

Clean Sand/Gravel~15% Expansion

Heavy Clay~40% Expansion

Solid Rock/Concrete~60%+ Expansion

Waste Disposal (Skips vs Grabs)

For small garden trenches, a **6-yard (small builders) skip** is easy to place on a driveway. However, for foundation trenches, you should move to an **8-yard (large builders) skip**.

Be careful: if you order a skip larger than 8 yards (like a 10 or 12 yarder), most UK companies will refuse to fill it with soil or hardcore, as the skip lorry will be unable to lift it safely due to the weight.

Trench Safety

Soil can weigh nearly 2 tonnes per cubic metre. If a trench wall collapses on a worker, the weight can be fatal in seconds. Always use shoring or trench boxes if the depth exceeds 1.2m.

Excavated Volume

Remember to calculate the volume of any additional holes for manholes or soakaways and add them to your total trench volume before ordering disposal services.

Pro Tip: Topsoil Separation

Always strip and stockpile your topsoil (the top 150-300mm) separately from the subsoil. Topsoil is valuable and can be reused for landscaping, whereas subsoil (clay/shale) usually has to be skipped.

Excavation & Disposal FAQ

Health & Safety Warning

Never enter an unsupported trench. Heavy rain can cause even shallow trenches to become unstable. Ensure all excavations are clearly fenced off to prevent people or pets from falling in at night.