When planning an event, it’s a high-stakes game every time. You may have guest lists, food vendors, entertainment, and—if you’re thinking ahead—portable toilets. Because let’s face it, nothing ruins a good time faster than a lack of proper facilities for your guests. So, choosing the right portable toilets isn’t just about plopping down a few plastic boxes and calling it a day. It’s all about comfort, convenience, and ensuring guests don’t leave with a horror story.
So, how do you avoid the dreaded long lines, unfortunate odors, and inadequate accommodations? Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Consider Your Event Type
Not all events are created equal, and neither are portable restrooms. Here’s a high-level breakdown of what you should look at based on your special event.
Construction Sites
For Construction Sites, durability over aesthetics. Standard Portable Toilets with regular servicing will do the trick. If your crew is out there for long shifts, consider units with built-in hand sanitizer or solar-powered lighting for nighttime use.
Weddings & Upscale Gatherings
For Weddings & Upscale Gatherings, you’ll want Luxury Restroom Trailers. Think air conditioning, running water, and décor that doesn’t scream “construction site.” Your guests are dressed to impress—so avoid using a standard porta-potty and rise to the occasion.
Concerts & Festivals
For Concerts & Festivals, high-volume events need high-capacity solutions. Consider using Event Portable Toilets, designed to provide a higher level of comfort and amenities that keep things sanitary. Be sure to include Handicap-Accessible and ADA-compliant restrooms and hand-washing stations.
Sporting Events & Races
For Sporting Events & Races, you should expect lines. It’s safe to say that you need to plan for them. Higher traffic areas need strategically placed portable toilets to keep things moving. Bonus points if you include Handwashing Stations or urinal-only units to speed up the flow.
Step 2: Know Your Numbers
Underestimating the number of restrooms needed is a rookie mistake that can be easily avoided. Nobody enjoys waiting in line, especially not for a toilet. A good rule of thumb for determining the number of portable toilets needed for your event:
- Small gatherings (under 50 guests, 3-4 hours): 1-2 units
- Mid-sized events (100-250 guests, 4-6 hours): 3-6 units
- Large events (500+ guests, all-day affair): At least 8-10 units, plus a few extra for VIP areas
The math gets trickier with alcohol involved. If your event features an open bar, like many weddings do, increase your restroom count by at least 15%—because of science.
Step 3: Understand Your Guests
Your restroom choices should not be guesswork; they should be based on your guests’ needs, which should dictate your restroom choices for your event(s).
- If you’re hosting a corporate event with VIPs, you can assume they expect cleanliness and comfort.
- If it’s a kids’ festival, you’ll want to consider providing family-friendly units.
- If you’re providing facilities at a rugged outdoor mud run, well, it’s safe to expect the attendees to want to rinse off—so consider providing mobile showers.
- If your event has a high female attendance, be sure to adjust your numbers accordingly. It’s important to note this because, according to industry research, women take 50% longer in restrooms than men. So use that knowledge to avoid unnecessary troubles!
Step 4: Location, Location, Location
Bad restroom placement can be a logistical nightmare. Here’s a handful of considerations to keep in mind when planning for the location of your portable toilets:
Avoid bottlenecks where possible
Place restrooms evenly throughout the venue to prevent congestion. Otherwise, bottlenecks may form where large crowds are and begin to restrict movement through your event. This will help avoid long lines and congestion that are most certainly unnecessary. When your crowds have clear walkways and smooth foot traffic, it helps to remove hazardous conditions. So consider having toilets distributed throughout the event and strategically placed near food vendors, seating areas, and parking lots.
Keep them accessible
Your guests shouldn’t have to guess where portable toilets are located. Ensure all portable toilet locations are appropriately set up and provide Handicap-Accessible and ADA-compliant units in easy-to-reach locations. Also, don’t forget that you may need the toilets serviced during the event, which will require service truck access. You don’t want vehicles driving through your event where it’s absolutely unnecessary, especially loud and stinky vacuum trucks, but nonetheless, plan and prepare for the need.
Consider the terrain
If your event has muddy fields or uneven slopes, planning for this is critical. Your placement plan needs to work with the environment, not against it. Especially consider the safety concerns of each unit’s placement. Don’t forget about how all guests will access these units, where lines may form, and how service vehicles will access them.
Don’t forget the lighting
If your event extends into the twilight or nighttime, well-lit restroom areas are a must unless you want people stumbling around in the dark. It’s also important to consider whether additional lighting devices will be needed inside the portable toilet units. Apart from the enhanced safety proper lighting provides, this will improve your guest’s overall comfort and experience. Let’s be honest; no one wants to use a dark and unlit restroom, especially a portable one.
Step 5: Servicing & Maintenance
Even the best portable restrooms need maintenance, especially at multi-day events. Regular servicing ensures that units stay clean, stocked, and odor-free. (Yes, that means extra toilet paper, too. Never underestimate the need for extra toilet paper.)
Hiring an on-site attendant to keep things fresh is a game-changer for large-scale events. No one likes discovering a disaster zone when they need to go, and you don’t want it to be the primary memory people walk away with.
Don’t Let Restrooms Be the Weak Link
If you take nothing else away from this, remember: your event is only as good as your guests’ comfort. And bad restroom situations are undeniable at making people uncomfortable and fast.
Take the time to plan your portable restroom strategy wisely because when people remember your event, you want them to recall the fantastic food, the great music, and the seamless experience—not the time they had to hold it for hours because the restroom situation was a disaster.
Need expert advice or rental options tailored to your special event in Washington’s Kitsap, Mason, or Pierce Counties? Reach out to Hemley’s Handy-Kan today! We’ll ensure your guest’s restroom needs are cared for so you can focus on everything else.