Did you know there were 5,000 porta potties at Obama’s 2009 inauguration?
There’s a surprising amount of work that goes into planning how the people at your event will go to the bathroom, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, making the right mistakes can lead to an entire world of headaches. Luckily, though, we’re here to help.
Read on for six of the worst porta potty renting mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Inspecting Beforehand
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when renting porta potties for events is neglecting to check for damage. Before you agree to anything or sign any documents, you must ensure you’re getting what you rented. Failure to do this may result in you being charged for damages already there.
The best thing you can do is look for signs of damage, like dents, stains, or cracks, and then take photos of anything you spot. This will help protect you once the porta potties have been returned.
2. Neglecting the Fine Print
When planning an event, make sure you read the fine print that comes from the potential porta potty provider. Some companies attempt to charge hidden fees, or neglect to include specific services in the base rate.
It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting out of your rental, so be sure to ask questions and get everything in writing to avoid any hassle later on.
3. Ordering the Wrong Kind
This is where it pays to know the event you’re hosting. If you’re putting on a black tie affair, you’ll need more than a few plastic porta potties. Luxury restroom rentals, on the other hand, can be overkill in some situations.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when considering these things:
- Who are the guests?
- Is it a black tie or a backyard event?
- What comforts would be necessary?
- How much room do you have?
In some scenarios, a proper restroom trailer sounds nice, but you might not have the space for it. In some cases, you might need a mini rental or a larger amount of plastic units. No matter what you need or want, it’s important to plan ahead.
4. Not Ordering Enough
The general rule for porta potty numbers is at least two per every 100 people attending the event. If there’s going to be alcohol, you probably want to add one more. The same goes for if attendees are going to be at the event for, say, more than four hours.
That’s why having a general idea about the number of people attending your event is crucial. This is going to help you estimate a good number of porta potties to have on hand, and it can also help you figure other things out.
5. Putting Them in the Wrong Place
It might not seem like it, but placing porta potties correctly is a big part of the planning process. It’s essential that they avoid vehicle traffic, but remain accessible to service vehicles. It’s also important that they don’t get caught up in mud or other debris at outdoor events.
The average service truck weighs anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds, and it has to be able to get up right next to porta potties, otherwise, you may potentially face an entire world of new problems.
It’s also important to consider the forecast around the time of your event. A field might seem like a great place for portable restrooms, but if it’s going to rain and that field experiences floods or other problems it could present trouble for the rental company.
6. Neglecting Compliance
It’s essential to keep ADA regulations in mind when you’re planning any special event. That means providing accessible restrooms for guests, along with ways to keep their hands clean after they leave the restroom.
These porta potties come with ramps and wider doors. Those doors also don’t require any assistance to open and close. The biggest difference is that there’s enough space in these units for a wheelchair to do a complete 360-degree turn.
They also come with reinforced construction, along with handrails and proper signage. That signage is another regulation your event will need to follow, as it’s going to help guests find the right restroom easily and quickly whenever they may need it.
That also means working with a rental company that knows and understands these regulations.
7. Skimping on Supplies
Portable restrooms are useful, but without the proper sanitation materials, they’re almost useless. Your guests still aren’t going to feel clean, and they’re likely going to be disappointed in your event as a whole.
That’s why it’s important to stock up on things like soap, toilet paper, and even hand sanitizer before your event. You can also consider taking advantage of other rentals like hand washing stations that can be placed near the restrooms.
Not only do these things help improve your guest’s experience, but it also helps mitigate the spread of potentially harmful germs at your event.
Don’t Make These Porta Potty Renting Mistakes
It’s easy to make porta potty renting mistakes if you’re searching for the first time, but it’s also easy to avoid them with proper planning. You want to ensure the company you’re looking to do business with is reputable and cares deeply about the safety of its staff. It’s also important to ensure they keep your best interest in mind.
At Plummers Disposal, we do exactly this. Contact us to get started with your free estimate.