Portable toilet hire (often called portaloo hire) means renting self-contained toilets for a building site, event or anywhere without mains facilities. On construction sites they're part of the legal welfare requirements. The supplier delivers the units, services them, usually weekly, and collects them at the end.
How many toilets does a site need?
The law (Schedule 2 of the CDM Regulations 2015) says construction sites must have suitable and sufficient toilets and washing facilities. The Health and Safety Executive's guidance turns that into numbers.
| Workers on site | Chemical toilets (1 per 7, serviced weekly) | Flushing toilets and washbasins (HSE's general workplace guide) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | 1 | 1 |
| 6–7 | 1 | 2 |
| 8–14 | 2 | 2 |
| 15–21 | 3 | 2 |
| 22–25 | 4 | 2 |
| 26–28 | 4 | 3 |
| 29–35 | 5 | 3 |
| 36–50 | 6–8 | 3 |
The flushing column comes from the Workplace Regulations code of practice (L24), which the HSE says can be used as an indication for construction sites. The chemical column works out the 1-in-7 ratio. Remember to count everyone on site at the busiest time, not just your own staff.
Which type of toilet?
Chemical toilet
The standard portaloo: a self-contained unit with a waste tank, emptied and cleaned by the supplier.
The HSE accepts these where flushing toilets can't be provided.
Flushing toilet
Connected to mains water and drainage, or with its own water supply and holding tanks.
The HSE says provide flushing toilets where possible.
Accessible unit
A wider unit with room to turn and grab rails, for sites, venues and events.
Hot-wash toilets and wash stations
Units with a bigger basin and warm water, or separate hand-wash stations, so the site meets the washing rules.
Luxury toilet trailers
Flushing, lit and heated trailers with several cubicles.
Washing facilities: the bit most sites get wrong
The HSE says washing facilities must be next to the toilets, with:
- clean hot and cold, or warm, running water
- soap or another suitable way of cleaning
- towels or another way of drying
- good ventilation and lighting
- basins big enough to wash hands, face and forearms properly
Some portable toilets only have hand sanitiser and a small sink. The HSE says that's inadequate unless other suitable washing facilities are nearby. Hire a unit with a proper basin and warm water, or add a hand-wash station.
Other welfare rules to get right
Men and women
They can share a toilet if it's in a lockable room separate from any urinals. Provide sanitary waste disposal where women are working.
Servicing
Weekly is usual, but busier units need emptying more often. Keep the supplier's service records.
Cleaning Often missed
Toilets and wash areas need regular cleaning. On muddy sites, daily may not be enough.
Consumables
Toilet paper, soap and paper towels run out quickly. Keep spare supplies on site.
Electrics
Units with heated water often need a 240 V supply, so take the right precautions against electrical injury.
Eating areas
Hand washing shouldn't generally happen where people eat and drink, especially with cement, lead or other hazardous substances on site.
What portable toilet hire costs
These ranges come from price lists published by UK hire companies. Prices vary by region, hire length and unit type.
- Delivery and collectionOften charged separately, based on distance from the supplier's depot.
- Minimum hireSite hires often have a minimum of about four weeks, even for a short job.
- Unit typeAccessible, flushing and hot-wash units cost more than a standard chemical toilet.
- Servicing frequencyExtra services beyond weekly add to the cost.
- Number and lengthMore units and longer hires usually bring the weekly rate down.
Check whether each quote includes delivery, collection, weekly servicing, consumables and waste disposal, what the minimum hire is, and whether prices include VAT.
Questions to ask a toilet hire company
- Does the weekly price include servicing, consumables and waste disposal?
- What are the delivery and collection charges, and the minimum hire period?
- Do your units have a proper basin with warm water, or will I need a separate hand-wash station?
- How often will you service them, and can you increase that if needed?
- Do you provide service records?
- Is the waste taken to a licensed site, and are you a registered waste carrier?
- Do you have accessible units available?
Prices in this guide are typical ranges from suppliers' published price lists and cost guides. They change and vary by area, so always confirm the price with the supplier before you book. Rules, fees and tax rates are checked against official sources.