How Much Does a Porta Potty Cost to Buy?

Most of the time, renting a porta potty makes the most sense for businesses setting up remote job sites or event planners preparing their venue. But if you use it frequently enough, you may find better value in owning your own unit.

How much does a porta potty cost to buy, though – and how does this compare to the porta potty rental prices? It all depends on the type and size of your unit, as well as if you’re buying new or used. In general, these can cost anywhere from $800 to a few thousand dollars.

However, you also need to think about the ongoing costs of maintaining your unit and the logistics of keeping a portable restroom in storage when not in use. Like we said, you’re almost always going to be better off renting – and those in the state of Texas can trust Viking Rental for:

Reach out to learn more about how we can provide you with a world-class rental experience and save you money today – or, dive deeper into how much to buy a porta potty below.

Why Buy a Porta Potty?

Make no mistake, there are situations where buying a portable toilet makes more sense than renting. Here are a few reasons you may consider this route.

Cost Efficiency Over Time

Organizations that frequently host events or manage job sites will quickly see how the long-term cost of renting porta potties can accumulate. In this sense, buying a porta potty reduces recurring rental fees and can be more economical over time.

Once the initial investment is made, the only ongoing costs are maintenance and supplies, which are often lower than the fees associated with regular rentals.

The only way to know for sure though is to get quotes to purchase and rent and run the numbers on how long it would take you to start saving money.

Availability and Readiness

Ownership means you have immediate access to facilities whenever they are needed, without the need to plan for rentals ahead of time.

This can be a savior for last-minute events or emergency needs where finding available rentals could be challenging. Having a porta potty on hand means you’re always ready.

Customization and Branding

You can customize your portable toilet to better meet the specific needs of your users or to enhance comfort when you own it.

Meanwhile, businesses can brand their porta potties with logos or specific colors to enhance visibility and reinforce brand identity at public events or on worksites.

Control Over Maintenance

Ownership allows for complete control over how the porta potties are maintained. You can ensure they are cleaned and serviced to your standards, leading to better user experiences.

Proper maintenance also extends the life of the facilities, ensuring they remain in good condition for years to come. That being said, this is a blessing and a curse – nobody wants to deal with porta potty cleaning and maintenance. For some, this may be a reason to rent instead.

How Much Does a Porta Potty Cost to Buy?

Now, let’s get into the pricing side of things to help you determine if it’s worth the investment or not. So, how much does a porta potty cost to buy? We’ll look at a few different types of porta potties below to help you set your expectations.

Different Types of Portable Restroom Solutions

Ultimately, how much to buy a porta potty is going to depend on the style you need, be it a standard porta potty vs bathroom trailer. Even the price for ADA porta potty will vary from a typical unit. Here’s a quick breakdown of average prices across the industry:

Standard Porta Potties: These are the most economical, typically costing between $600 to $1,200. They’re commonly used at job sites or public events and include basic features like a toilet seat, door lock, and ventilation.
Deluxe Flushable Porta Potties: These more advanced units feature a flushing toilet and often a hand wash station. Prices for deluxe models range from $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the additional amenities such as mirrors, shelves, and even solar lighting.
ADA Compliant Porta Potties: Designed to accommodate wheelchair users, these units are larger and feature handrails, more space, and lower toilet seats. The cost for ADA-compliant porta potties can range from $2,000 to $3,500.
Luxury or Trailer Portable Restrooms: These are the pinnacle of portable sanitation, often equipped with multiple stalls, sinks, mirrors, and even air conditioning. Prices can range from $10,000 to over $25,000 for high-end models, suitable for upscale events or VIP sections at concerts.

Used vs New Units

There are two routes you can take when buying a portable toilet of any type – new vs used. They’ll vary greatly in cost, but you get what you pay for.

A new porta potty ensures you’re getting a clean, fully functional unit with the latest design improvements and materials. You may even get a manufacturer’s warranty.

On the other hand, a used unit will typically cost between 50-75% less than a new model. However, you’re going to need to do your due diligence for any damage or wear and consider the potential for increased maintenance costs.

Buying Multiple Units for Better Pricing

It’s worth noting that you might be able to get better pricing if you’re buying more than one unit – which is very likely for managing multiple job sites or ensuring ample sanitation for large scale events. Just read our guide on how many portable toilets per person if you need guidance here.

Budgeting for Ongoing Costs

We know you came here wondering how much to buy a porta potty, but you also need to account for the ongoing costs of ownership.

Even with our guide on how to clean a portable toilet, most people will find that they don’t have the time, resources, or stomach to handle this task themselves. You can expect to pay $20-$100 per service depending on the frequency and level of service. Chemicals and deodorizers are additional ongoing costs.

There’s also the cost of supplies, which include not just toilet paper but also hand sanitizer and deodorizing chemicals. You also have to think about who you’re going to pay to oversee the management of these portable sanitation units.

Are You Better Off Renting a Portable Toilet Instead?

It’s important that you’re aware of not just the benefits of buying a portable toilet but also the downside to ownership and the advantages of renting instead. From a stress-free experience to better value, here’s why you may ultimately consider renting instead…

No Maintenance Concerns

As we just touched on a moment ago, maintaining a portable toilet is a time-consuming, complex, and grotesque task.

One of the primary advantages of renting is that maintenance and sanitation are typically handled by the rental company. This includes regular cleaning, restocking of supplies like toilet paper and hand sanitizers, and any necessary repairs.

Perhaps most importantly, you don’t have to stress about the compliance side of things when it comes to waste disposal. Rental companies are experienced in safe removal of waste, helping you avoid fines or legal issues related to improper waste handling or non-compliant facilities.

For event organizers and project managers, this means less hassle and no need for a dedicated staff to manage these tasks. You can kick back and relax, focusing your attention on where its better spent.

Cost-Effectiveness

Purchasing can certainly be a good investment in some scenarios, but it comes with ongoing costs for maintenance, cleaning, and eventual replacement.

Renting can often be more cost effective for those who only need extra facilities occasionally. There’s no upfront investment, and the rental fees often include many of the ancillary services that come with porta potty upkeep.

Latest Models Available

Chances are if you buy a porta potty you’ll be stuck with that model for the next 5-10 years. However, rental companies typically offer the latest models equipped with modern amenities and conform to current health and sanitation standards.

This means users have a comfortable and safe experience, which is especially important at public events where the quality of facilities can make or break the guest experience.

The Verdict

Ultimately, only you can determine if it’s worth the price to buy a porta potty or if it makes more sense to rent. There are many situations where a rental makes more sense, but the vast majority of businesses are better suited to rent.

That being said, you don’t have to search far for where to rent a porta potty in Texas – your search ends here at Viking Rental.

Get Incredible Value and World-Class Service With Porta Potties From Viking Rental!

Viking Rental is trusted by businesses across the entire Lone Star State. Since 1972 we’ve delivered a world-class rental experience, from portable sanitation solutions to fencing and more.

We’re committed to offering you not just high-quality portable restroom units but also exceptional customer service every step of the way, from your initial outreach to the drop off of your equipment, servicing/maintenance, and eventually, pick up.

You gain access to all the different porta potty size and type variations you could need, including:

We handle the cleaning and servicing of your units for extended rental durations so you can remain focused on your core business operations. So, get in touch today and find out what makes us the #1 choice in Texas as we wrap up our guide on how much to buy a porta potty.

Parting Thoughts on How Much to Buy a Porta Potty

So, how much does a porta potty cost to buy? As you can see, it all depends on what exactly you’re looking to purchase. It can range from $800 to a few thousand to tens of thousands. Ultimately, your decision to purchase vs rent will come down to your needs, cost, and convenience.

The initial purchase may offer long-term savings and customization for those frequently hosting events or managing projects. However, the responsibilities of maintenance and compliance can add complexity.

Our blog has more resources on topics like DIY bathroom trailer, how often do holding tanks need to be pumped, how do restroom trailers work, and more.

But why not find out just how affordable and seamless porta potty rental can be when you partner with Viking today? Get in touch to learn more about our solutions and put the stress of portable sanitation solutions in the past for good.