First-Time Porta Potty Rental Checklist, From Call to Pickup

What information do you need when I call to rent a porta potty?

We need 6 things to give you an exact quote: the delivery address and ZIP, the dates, the unit type, how many units, where on the property the unit goes, and a gate code if there is one. With those, we can quote the full out-the-door price in one call.

In our 2026 call study, 64% of callers, 110 of 172, asked the price before anything else. These six answers are how we get you a real number fast.

What should an itemized porta potty quote include?

An itemized porta potty quote should list the unit, the rental period, delivery, pickup, any servicing, tax and any rush charge. That total is the out-the-door price. We do not add a fuel surcharge after the quote. In our call study, one invoice ran about 15% over its quote.

The top complaint in our study was an invoice that came in higher than the quote. Fuel surcharges, convenience fees and tax showed up later. One caller's invoice ran about 15% over the quote.

• Ask, "does that include pickup?" It should.
• Ask whether tax is in the total.
• Ask, "is it per day or for the whole time?"

Our cost guide explains each line.

How do I pay for a porta potty rental and lock in the date?

You pay by card when you book, through a text or email invoice link with an e-signature. We take 4 cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover. Contractors can apply for a business account. Churches, schools, nonprofits and government groups send a tax-exempt certificate, and we remove sales tax.

Read the invoice before you sign. It should match the quote line for line.

Plans change. You can reschedule or cancel free until 7 PM the business day before delivery for a full refund. Inside 24 hours, a trip fee may apply.

How do I mark the spot for the porta potty?

Mark the spot with a cone, flag or ribbon, and make sure the ground is level and firm. The spot must be within about 15 feet of where the truck parks. Leave the gate open or send the code. A backyard gate needs at least 48 inches of clear width.

• Pick shade if you can, away from food tables.
• Clear toys, hoses and yard furniture from the path.
• Move cars so the truck can reach the curb or driveway.

The porta potty placement guide goes deeper on gates, mud and wind.

Do I need to be home when the porta potty is delivered?

No. You do not need to be home if the spot is marked and the gate is open or the code is shared. The driver calls 30 to 60 minutes before arriving. We do not guarantee an exact delivery time, which is why weekend units arrive Friday, sometimes Thursday.

"Do I need to be there?" was one of the most common questions in our calls. Keep your phone on so you get the call-ahead, and answer if the driver has a question about the spot.

What happens during the rental?

During a short rental, the unit arrives clean and stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, so most 1-to-3-day rentals need nothing else. Multi-day events can add a mid-event service. Rentals of 28 days get weekly service. You can ask for an extra visit any time, quoted first.

• Ask for a free hasp and padlock for public sites.
• Keep wipes, paper towels and trash out of the tank.
• Call us if a unit tips or gets damaged. Do not try to move it.

How does porta potty pickup work?

For short rentals, pickup is set when you book. Weekend units usually go back Monday. For 28-day rentals, pickup is not automatic: call or text when you are done, and billing stops that day. Leave the gate open or the code active, and leave the unit where the driver set it.

Long-term renters in our study were often surprised that pickup is not automatic. Put a reminder in your phone for the day you expect to be done.

See short-term rentals and long-term rentals for how each works.