renting portable bathrooms

Portable Restrooms For Sale or Rent

If you are in an industry or running an event where you require temporary restroom facilities, you might be considering renting a porta potty. But is that your only option? Another idea to consider is renting a portable restroom trailer.

In this guide, we will explain the difference between these types of portable restroom facilities. We will also go over the cost to rent a portable toilet, features and options for portable restroom rentals, and situations where it makes sense to rent or buy.

Portable Restrooms vs. Porta Potties: What is the Difference?

First of all, let’s explain the difference between a portable restroom and a porta potty.

  • A porta potty is also known as a portable toilet or a mobile toilet. It is generally a small plastic unit that is just large enough for one person to go in and use the toilet at a time. They are usually bright blue. Porta potties do not feature heat, air conditioning, or lighting. If you use one at night, you may need a flashlight.
  • A portable restroom, on the other hand, refers to more than just a toilet. It is a trailer that contains a full restroom, including multiple toilets, sinks, lighting, and climate control. It replicates the experience of using the restroom in a permanent structure.

Porta potties are good if you want to save money and keep things simple. But if you want to offer guests or workers a nicer experience, a portable restroom is much more comfortable and functional.

Portable restrooms are great for:

  • Festivals
  • Sporting events
  • Other miscellaneous events
  • Event venues
  • Temporary worksites
  • Parks
  • Businesses that cater to tourists
  • Healthcare businesses
  • Businesses where workers are a long way from the restroom in the main building

A temporary restroom can offer relief for workers, visitors, customers and guests in remote locations. It can also reduce lines and wait times in situations where there is a temporary increase in restroom users.

REnt VS Buy Cost Comparison

Should You Rent or Should You Buy?

Whether you should rent or purchase a portable restroom depends on your specific scenario. If you only are going to need the restroom for a short period of time, then renting is going to be the simplest, most cost-effective solution.  

But if you expect to use the restroom for many months or even years to come, then it is more logical to buy a restroom trailer.

Below, we go over the advantages and drawbacks of each option to give you a better idea of what you should do given your scenario.

Pros of Renting:

  • You do not have the hassle of buying the trailer, or selling it once you are done with it.
  • The trailer will be conveniently delivered to your site and set up.
  • A wide range of portable restroom rental options exist.

Cons of Renting:

  • The costs can stack up pretty quickly, making this option viable only for short-term use. You will need to contact rental companies for quotes, and then do the math to calculate whether renting or buying is more cost-efficient for you.

Pros of Buying:

  • The trailer is yours, and you can maintain and use it however you want. You can even make modifications.
  • You may find that owning the trailer saves you money if you will need your portable restroom for an extended time period.

Cons of Buying:

  • A restroom trailer may be difficult to repurpose after you no longer need it to serve as such.
  • You need to go through the trouble of buying the trailer, and if you plan to get rid of it later, selling it.

Cost for Renting Portable Restrooms

There is a pretty wide price range for renting a portable restroom. But you can expect to spend at least $1,000 a day, and sometimes up to $3,000 a day.

Factors that impact the cost of a portable restroom trailer include how many stalls the trailer features, as well as other features and customization options.

Do not forget to factor in the cost for shipping and setup either. If you need to get a trailer to a remote location, the cost may be higher than if you are renting from a company located nearby and there is no challenging geography to cross.

Cost for Renting Porta Potties

A porta potty costs less to rent than a portable restroom. In fact, at the lower end, it can cost just a few dollars a day. At the upper end, it can be closer to $75 per day.

If you are on a tight budget and you don’t need anything fancy, a porta potty makes sense. But if you do want something nice, and you can afford it, a portable toilet trailer rental offers a much better experience.

Features and Options for Portable Restroom Rentals

portable toilet trailer rentals

Portable restrooms are not one-size-fits-all. There are a number of customization options and features that you can choose from based on your needs.

  • Number of stalls: Some portable restroom rentals have just 1-2 toilets. Others may have more.
  • Overall dimensions: Along with choosing a rental that features the right number of stalls for your needs, do not forget to check the overall dimensions. Make sure that the trailer will not feel too cramped for occupants, especially if you expect dense crowds at your event.
  • ADA-accessible: Some portable restroom trailer rentals feature ADA-accessibility features such as ramps, wide doorways, handicapped stalls, grab bars, and sinks that are placed lower so that they are easier to reach.
  • Sinks and other features: Speaking of sinks, consider the number of sinks, not just the number of stalls, as well as the design of the sinks. Other features to look for include counters, mirrors, hot and cold water, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and hand dryers. Luxury portable restrooms offer just as much functionality as those in permanent buildings. You can even rent restroom trailers with showers.
  • Lighting: Unlike a porta potty, a portable restroom trailer can include ample illumination. This improves safety, and makes for a better experience for those who need to use the restroom. Ask about the locations and types of lights, their energy efficiency, and brightness. You want both the stalls and the sinks to be well-lit.
  • Climate control: Give people using the bathroom a break from hot or cold temperatures outdoors with a climate-controlled trailer that features heat and air conditioning.
  • Ventilation: This is a very important feature in a restroom for fairly obvious reasons. A well-ventilated restroom trailer allows odors to disperse outside, rather than lingering indoors. This can make a big difference in terms of quality of life for people using the trailer.
  • Sanitation: Find out what the capacity of the holding tanks are that come with the trailer, and ensure that they will be adequate for your requirements.
  • Materials and maintenance: Even if you only are renting the trailer for a short time, you are going to need to clean and maintain it, usually multiple times a day. So, it is important to rent a trailer that features materials that are quick and easy to clean. That way, you can minimize the amount of time your restrooms need to be out of commission for cleaning.
  • Security: Consider both the quality of the locks on the stall doors, as well as the quality of the lock on the outside door. You probably will want to close your restroom when it is out of use.
  • Aesthetics: The overall appearance of the trailer both indoors and outdoors may also be an important consideration. You want the trailer to be appealing and make a professional impression on workers or guests.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile Restroom Rentals

A: OSHA regulations state that there must be one portable toilet at a minimum available for every 20 workers (or fewer) at a job site. So, if you employ 20 workers, you need at least one toilet for them. If you employ 19, you still need at least one toilet. If you employ 40, you need at least two toilets. If you employ anywhere from 21-39, you also need at least two toilets, and so on.

If you have any questions about OSHA regulations, you should check the wording of the regulations directly, or contact OSHA. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A: Portable restroom trailers are simply trailers that have toilets and holding tanks installed, allowing you to place a temporary restroom wherever you need it.

Portable restrooms bring the comfort and utility of regular restrooms to festivals, remote worksites, and other locations, providing a superior option compared to porta potties. To get a personalized quote for renting portable restrooms, complete our 1-step form below for quotes from professional companies in your state.