Grab lorry loads
Spoil loaded by crane arm from the road. See grab hire.
Muck away · Ipswich and Suffolk
Muck away in Ipswich
Removal of soil, clay and spoil from foundations, extensions, driveways and groundworks by grab lorry and tipper, with clean material reused.
- Single loads or full site programmes
- Inert soil recycled
- Waste transfer notes for every load
Muck away: what to expect
Muck away is the trade term for removing excavated soil and spoil from a site. On any job that involves digging, such as foundations, extensions, basements, driveways or landscaping, the spoil has to go somewhere, and it usually adds up to far more than people expect once it is dug out and bulked up.
We provide muck away across Ipswich and Suffolk for homeowners, builders, groundworkers and developers. For most sites we use 8-wheel grab lorries, which load from the road and need no skip or permit. For larger excavations, tippers can be loaded directly by your excavator.
Clean, inert soil and clay can often be reused on other projects or at restoration sites, which keeps disposal costs down. Mixed or contaminated spoil costs more and may need testing, so keeping loads clean is the easiest way to save money.
Muck away options
Tipper loads
Loaded by your excavator on larger sites.
Clay removal
Heavy clay from foundations, common to the north and west of Ipswich.
Topsoil strip
Topsoil removed ahead of building work, reused where possible.
Mixed spoil
Soil with rubble and hardcore, priced as mixed inert waste.
Programmed site work
Several loads a day scheduled to keep excavations moving.
Clean vs mixed spoil
| Type | Examples | Cost to dispose |
|---|---|---|
| Clean inert soil | Natural soil and clay | Lowest |
| Mixed inert | Soil with bricks and concrete | Medium |
| Contaminated | Soil with waste, oil or chemicals | Highest, may need testing |
| Invasive plant soil | Soil with Japanese knotweed | Specialist licensed disposal |
Planning muck away
Estimate the volume
Excavated soil bulks up by roughly 20 to 30 percent once dug out. A trench or footing always produces more spoil than its measured volume suggests.
Keep spoil clean
Keep wood, plastic and general waste out of soil piles. Clean loads are cheaper and easier to reuse.
Waste classification
Soil from brownfield sites, old industrial land or anywhere with signs of contamination may need testing before disposal. We can arrange this.
Need material back?
We can bring recycled hardcore, sand or topsoil on the return trip. See aggregates.
How it works
Describe the job
Material, volume and site access.
Quote
The best method for the material, with a fixed price.
Collection or delivery
Grab, tipper, skip or bags on the agreed day.
Recycled
Clean material is reused or recycled.
What affects the price of muck away
Every job is priced individually. These are the main factors.
- Volume
- Priced per load.
- Material
- Clean soil is cheapest; contaminated soil costs most.
- Testing
- Contaminated land may need sampling before disposal.
- Access
- Grab reach and lorry access affect loading time.
Why choose Ipswich Waste
Registered waste carrier
Every collection comes with a waste transfer note, so you can prove your waste was handled legally.
Recycling first
Waste is sorted at licensed sites so rubble, metal, wood, card and green waste are recycled.
Fixed prices
Clear quotes agreed before we start, including permits and disposal.
Local and fast
Based in Ipswich, with next-day service across most IP postcodes.
Muck away across Ipswich and nearby
We cover Ipswich and the surrounding towns, villages and business parks, including:
- Ipswich town centre
- Ipswich Waterfront
- Chantry
- Whitton
- Rushmere St Andrew
- Kesgrave
- Martlesham
- Woodbridge
- Felixstowe
- Claydon
- Bramford
- Sproughton
- Pinewood
- Copdock
- Capel St Mary
- Hadleigh
- Needham Market
- Stowmarket
- Ransomes Europark
- Futura Park
Frequently asked questions
How much does a grab lorry hold?
Around 16 tonnes, roughly 10 to 12 cubic metres of soil depending on moisture.
Do I need a permit for muck away?
Not for grab or tipper collection, as the lorry only parks while loading.
Can you take clay?
Yes. Clay is inert and can usually be reused.
What if my soil is contaminated?
We can arrange testing and send it to the correct licensed facility.
Can you remove soil with knotweed?
Yes, as specialist controlled waste. See knotweed removal.
Do you provide waste transfer notes?
Yes, for every load.
Book muck away in Ipswich
Tell us what you need and we will confirm a fixed price.