Garden SurveyorSkip / Muck-Away Calculator
Excavation volume, bulked volume, tonnes, skip sizes and grab loads.
2 advanced inputs hidden. Switch to Advanced to fine-tune.
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Heads-up: Excavated spoil bulks by ~30% in the skip — a 6 yd³ skip does NOT hold 6 yd³ of dug soil. The skip count above already accounts for this. Why it matters: Wet clay can bulk by up to 50% — order one size up if the ground is heavy.
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Essentials for this job
Quantities include a ~10% waste allowance. Guide prices are indicative UK ranges (materials only, inc. VAT) — always confirm with the supplier before ordering.
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This app provides general UK guidance and material estimates only. It is not legal, planning, engineering or building-control advice. Always confirm requirements with your local planning authority, building control, utility providers, manufacturers or qualified professionals.
Worked example
Digging out 6.0 m × 4.0 m to 200 mm for a new patio.
Inputs
- Area
- 6.0 m × 4.0 m
- Excavation depth
- 200 mm
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dig volume | 24 m² × 0.20 m | 4.8 m³ |
| Bulked volume | dug soil swells by about 30% | 6.24 m³ |
| Weight | bulked volume × 1.5 t/m³ | 7.2 t |
| Skips | bulked volume ÷ 9 m³ per 12 yard skip | 1 |
| What to order | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Excavation volume | 4.8 m³ |
| Bulked spoil volume | 6.24 m³ |
| Spoil tonnes | 7.2 t |
| Large skips (12yd ≈ 9m³) | 1 |
| Midi skips (≈ 4.5m³) | 2 |
| Grab loads (≈ 14t) | 1 |
In short: You are moving 7.2 t of spoil: 1 large skip, 2 midi skips, or 1 grab lorry load.