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If you’re like the majority of people, you have probably used a port-a-potty (port-a-John, port-a-Jane, or port-a-loo) before. Not surprisingly, if you have found yourself reading this article, you are probably also interested in diving into the portable restroom rental industry as a new business venture.
The portable restroom rental industry is a small niche catering to a wide customer base, so there is quite a bit of information you should take down before making the commitment to start your small or large business venture. We have compiled a Top 10 list of things you should know before getting into the portable restroom rental industry to help spark your interest and inspire you to commit to your newfound interest.
Here are the top 10 things you should know before getting into the portable restroom rental industry:
10. There is a Need for Portable Restrooms in a Variety of Industries
If you think portable restrooms are only used under a few circumstances, you couldn’t be further from the truth! Portable restroom rentals can be used for: carnivals, concerts, community events, construction sites, disaster relief, golf courses, stadiums, parking lots, sporting events, indoor or outdoor weddings, circuses, landfills, rest stops, entertainment events like backyard parties and so much more.
If you are interested in the portable restroom industry, know the difference between events and what types of restrooms are appropriate depending on the venue, audience and event planner(s). Your sales and marketing should narrow in on these audiences and cater to each group.
9. Portable Bathrooms are Durable, Convenient and Stand Up to the Elements
Portable restroom rentals truly serve more than just relief stations for busy events. Portable bathroom rentals are used due to the benefit they serve amongst a wide customer base. Generally speaking, portable bathroom rentals are easy to transport, require low maintenance, avoid clogging pipes and drains, are sanitary and made of lightweight plastic, making them durable in many environments.
When you decide to go into the portable restroom rental business, it is important to take the time to make an initial investment in high-quality products. Making an initial investment in tools, accessories and products (like the portable restrooms themselves) manufactured with high-quality materials will ensure you make your money back year after year without needing to replace parts.
8. There are Differences Between Long- and Short-term Rentals — Research Them!
When you are ready to make a business plan, consider long-term and short-term rentals for portable restrooms. Long-term rentals will ensure a steady flow of income toward your business and require a certain degree of maintenance. Waste disposal, chemical treatments, recharging “blue” sanitizer, providing routine cleaning and restocking portable restroom supplies like hand sanitizer and toilet paper are all aspects to consider when offering long-term rentals at sporting events or construction sites.
Prices will drop considerably for a long-term rental. Some portable restroom rental companies will charge $175-$500 per month for a single freestanding portable restroom on a construction site. A one-time 24-hour rental will cost around $175-$225 for single use. Adjust your contracts to reflect any maintenance, delivery and transport for long-term and short-term rentals.
7. Details, Locations and Specific Event Information is Crucial for Your Business Plan
Supply and rental industry standards state that for an eight-hour event, two portable restroom rentals are sufficient for a crowd of fewer than 50 people. As the crowd increases by 50 people, additional portable restrooms are needed. Each event is specific to its layout as well. Make sure when you are working with a facility that you suggest a layout that makes sense for the crowd and event purpose. Knowing and understanding the details of every event allow you to be prepared for the environmental conditions, event specifications, crowd size, if alcohol will be served causing more frequent bathroom use and staff you need to employ (or not) for routine maintenance and care.
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6. Stay on Top of Your Budget!
What are some conditions to take into consideration when forming an initial budget or quote? As always, a budget is specific to the event, but in the portable restroom rental industry here are just a few factors to consider when providing a quote for an event staff:
- Portable restroom type (freestanding vs. luxury)
- Quality and material desired for portable restroom
- Event and crowd size
- Event layout
- Accessories desired for restrooms
- Duration of restroom rental
- Delivery, pick-up and transport date
- Desired quantity of rental(s)
5. Sometimes You Get Hold-Your-Nose Clean-up Jobs
Make no mistake, the portable restroom rental industry isn’t all flowers and daisies — you are dealing with other people’s waste on a daily basis. Sanitation services do help, but sometimes you will get in the middle of a stinky situation. If environmental conditions are at play you could be met with mud, water and grime. If alcohol is present, who knows what you might find. Portable restroom rental businesses have reported graffiti, torn walls, selective burning and even waste on the floor. You just never know what you’ll be met with each and every time.
Waste transfer is another hold-your-nose aspect of the job that will take time to get used to. If you aren’t careful, when you are transferring waste from the truck to a holding tank waste can leak, tanks can de-pressurize, hoses can spray and accidents happen. Remember to laugh; it’s all a learning curve.
4. It is a Hard Job with a Great Paycheck
Undoubtedly, the portable restroom rental industry is a dirty job, but the salary can be very, very good. In fact, the portable restroom rental industry or portable toilet cleaner hopped up to spot number 7 on the 10 High-paying Dirty Job list compiled by How Stuff Works. The salary reflects the dirty aspect of the job but also the precision and expertise needed to get the job done correctly. An employee or employees, as well as the business owner, will need to understand the interworking web of the business including: tank maintenance, vacuum and wand servicing, cleaning routines, service tactics, transport, marketing and advertising and excellent customer service. This job is not for the fainthearted!
3. The Competition is Fierce
Think the job is too dirty for much competition? Think again. The portable restroom rental industry is fiercely competitive, and often, small businesses are family-owned and employees are grandfathered in. In areas where the population is large and events are frequent, you will need the best pitch, the most high-quality product, excellent customer service and deep knowledge of service, sanitation, transport and operational aspects of the business. What makes your business different? Highlight your answer and emphasize it during your business plan or sales pitch.
2. Market Assessment and Heavy-duty Research Will Reward You in the Long Run
The portable restroom rental market oversees a variety of different clientele from event planning to new construction. Each customer or group or customers will need their portable restroom rental for a different purpose. Assessing the market in this business simply pertains to being aware of projects, events and activities in your selected area. You can assess the market by driving around and looking for new build signs, tuning in during wedding and event season, taking notice of ‘coming soon’ posters or looking out for flyers geared toward outdoor events.
In the construction sector, there are a few different modes to stay plugged into the potential rental market. A division of McGraw-Hill (F.W. Dodge) publishes the Dodge Report. This publication lists upcoming construction projects all across the United States as well as targeted regional projects that could be helpful for your sales, marketing and advertising efforts. You can also use websites like The Blue Book for reference points geared toward the construction industry.
The second sector is event planning, and similar tools can be used to assess the frequency, duration and location for local and regional events you wish to pitch. Primarily, rentals in events are short-term but can generate solid relationships resulting in repeat business. Check out The International Festivals and Events Association and The International Association for Fairs and Expositions to target your next client.
1. Invest in Good, High-quality Tools, Products and Service
Last and most importantly, remember that high-quality products, service and tools make a world of difference in the industry. When your event planning staff and customers are happy with the cleanliness, customer service, durability and dependability your team uses in short-term and long-term rentals, you are guaranteed to see the business rush in. Get educated on everything in the portable restroom rental industry from tanks to transport, sanitation to budgeting. Portable restroom rentals see high foot traffic and are exposed to the elements. You want to make sure you are giving your customers the best possible experience, no matter what!
Looking to Take Your Portable Restroom Business to the NEXT LEVEL? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Operating A Portable Restroom Business.”
Thinking About GETTING INTO the Portable Restroom Industry? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Starting A Portable Restroom Business.”
21 Comments
My dad is tasked to plan an outdoor event for their company, and he wants to ensure that they will have portable restrooms to use. I found it interesting when you said that porta potty is easy to transport and it requires low maintenance. Hence, it is highly recommended to rent portable restrooms for any outdoor activities.
I like how you said that different portable toilets are needed for different venues and audiences. I think that a lot of people don’t know this so it would be extremely convenient if the rental company knew the differences. That way the people who are renting can get the right one for their type of event.
You make an excellent point about every industry requires portable toilets and that there is a different type of portable toilets that is suitable for every event. My family is planning to organize a family day out in the great outdoors where public toilets are not accessible. I will ask my family what they think of renting portable toilets for the occasion and if they are agreeable, I will come up with a budget for it.
It was great that the article talked about the importance of hiring a portable toilet rental company that will offer nothing but quality tools and products to maintain the bathrooms clean and to keep odors from spreading. My boss wants to host an event for the employees and staff members this July, and he asked me to look for porta-potties for the gets. Thanks to your tips and suggestion, it will be a lot easier for me to hire the right septic company.
You make an interesting point that renting a portable restroom is convenient for many occasions and events, such as weddings and concerts. Assuming that I am organizing a company training program in the wilderness, it would be best to rent portable potties. I will keep this tip in mind.
Thank you for sharing this it’s interesting!
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It’s good to know that renting a portable toilet will cost between $175-$5000 each month. We’ll be hiring contractors for house renovation and I want to make their work easier for them. I think that having a portable toilet during the duration of the project is a small thing to do on our part as homeowners.
Thanks for sharing that there are indeed differences between long and short-term rentals. I need a toilet for a short-term rental. So I’ll be sure to get that price.
Thanks for pointing out that portable restroom rentals can be used for indoor or outdoor weddings, entertainment events, backyard parties, and so much more. My brother is planning to get married to his long-time girlfriend at the beach in April. He is hoping to find a reliable company on Monday that can provide portable toilets for their guests during their special day.
I would like to rent a portable toilet but only if I can make sure the toilet paper gets restocked. A ton of people just assume that it is restocked. But I want to make sure that it is never forgotten about.
It’s awesome that this article talked about the importance of choosing the best restroom that will match the setup of your event. Last night, my brother mentioned to me that he and his friend are looking for a portable restroom for a business event, and he asked if I had any suggestions. Thanks to this helpful article, I’ll tell him that we may consult a well-known portable restroom rental service in town, who can answer all of his questions.
Thanks for the info about portable restrooms. I will be hosting an event. I’ll consider getting portable restrooms for the event.
Thanks for stating how crowd size will factor into the price. We’re planning my daughter’s wedding which is a few months from now. A lot of people are getting invited, so portable restrooms may be the best way to handle sanitary accommodations.
I appreciate your talk about tips on using the portable toilet and its benefits. I agree when you mention that renting a portable toilet is very convenient, especially if there is an event. The idea of its cost friendly, accessible, its environment friendly. The portable toilets are helpful when an event does not have access to public restrooms. This helps with sanitation and keeping the environment clean.
During events or locations that do not have restrooms, it’s beneficial that we have portalets or portable toilets.
I like your talk about tips on using the portable toilet and its benefits. I agree when you mention that renting a portable toilet is very convenient, especially if there is an event. The idea is cost-friendly, accessible, its environment friendly. The portable toilets are helpful when an event does not have access to public restrooms.
Such a very beneficial article, thank you for the reminders and advice. I truly appreciate this blog.
I like that you talked about how easy it is to transport portable toilets while being low maintenance, prevents clogging, and can be sanitary as well. Personally, my partner and I would need portable toilet rentals for our wedding day which is why we are looking for companies we can trust and afford. The bathroom in the venue we books would be far from the actual area, so we need them to ensure that the guests are comfortable and will not have to walk far just to relieve themselevs.
Great article! Thank you for the interesting details you shared.
Having this knowledge upfront is essential for making informed decisions and navigating the industry successfully. Much appreciated!
My favorite part is when you said that gathering information could help with the proper toilet guide approach. My uncle mentioned yesterday that he and his friend were hoping to find a portable toilet that would offer comfortable personal space for their clothing event. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best option for rentals. Thanks to this helpful restroom guide article for effective planning. I’ll tell him we can consult a well-known portable toilet rental in town as they can provide information about their services.