Real prices, clearly explained

Pricing in the portable toilet hire industry is often frustratingly opaque. Some companies quote low and add delivery charges, servicing fees, fuel surcharges, and environmental levies afterwards. Others quote high and include everything. The result is that comparing quotes between providers feels less like comparing prices and more like comparing entirely different services — which, to be fair, it sometimes is.

This guide gives you realistic 2026 figures for the UK market, explains what drives the variation, and tells you what a reasonable quote should include.

Standard portable toilet — construction site weekly hire

The most common hire arrangement in the industry: a standard portable toilet on a weekly rate with servicing included.

  • Single week hire: £50 to £65 per week
  • Two-week hire: £45 to £55 per week
  • Four-week hire and beyond: £40 to £50 per week
  • Twelve-week hire and beyond: £35 to £45 per week
  • Delivery and collection: Typically included in the hire price by better providers. Where charged separately, expect £50 to £80 as a one-off.

The weekly rate should include servicing — waste removal, cleaning, restocking of consumables, and chemical treatment. If servicing is quoted separately, add it to the weekly rate before comparing with all-inclusive quotes.

What affects the construction site rate

  • Hire duration: Longer hires attract lower weekly rates. The economics are simple — our fixed costs (delivery, collection, administration) are spread over more weeks.
  • Number of units: Multiple units on a single site reduce the per-unit cost through delivery and servicing efficiency.
  • Location: Delivery distance from the depot affects fuel and driver time costs. Sites within our core coverage area (Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester) are priced accordingly.
  • Access conditions: Standard access is assumed. Sites requiring extended travel along farm tracks, through security checkpoints, or with other complicating factors may incur modest additional charges.

Standard portable toilet — weekend event hire

Event hires are priced differently from construction site hires because the economics are different. A weekend event requires delivery (usually Friday), the unit sits for two to three days, and then collection (usually Monday). There is no ongoing weekly revenue — just a single hire period.

  • Single unit, Friday to Monday: £80 to £120
  • Multiple units (3+): Per-unit cost reduces, typically £70 to £100 each
  • Delivery and collection: Usually included in event hire pricing
  • Midweek events (Monday to Friday): Often slightly cheaper due to lower demand

Event hire inclusions

Event hires should include delivery, a clean and fully stocked unit, and collection. For events lasting more than three days, a mid-event service may be needed — discuss this with the provider and confirm whether it is included or additional.

Accessible portable toilet

Accessible units — larger cabins with ramp access, handrails, and sufficient internal space for wheelchair users — are a legal requirement at public events and may be needed on construction sites.

  • Weekly hire: Same as standard units with most providers (£40 to £60 per week)
  • Some providers charge a premium: Typically £5 to £10 per week above the standard rate
  • Our pricing: We charge the same rate for accessible units as for standard ones

There is no justification for a significant premium on accessible units. The unit costs more to manufacture, but the hire cost should be equitable.

Portable urinal blocks

Urinal blocks are the most cost-effective way to handle high-volume male demand at events. A single six-position handles demand equivalent to five or six standard portable toilets.

  • Weekend event hire: £60 to £100 per unit
  • Weekly hire: £35 to £50 per week
  • Delivery and collection: Usually included or combined with the main toilet provision

Luxury toilet trailers

Luxury trailers — self-contained units with flushing toilets, hot and cold running water, mirrors, lighting, and quality finishes — are the premium option for weddings, corporate events, and upmarket private functions.

  • 2+1 trailer (two female cubicles, one male with urinal): Weekend hire £600 to £900
  • 3+1 trailer (three female cubicles, one male with urinals): Weekend hire £800 to £1,500
  • Larger configurations: £1,200 to £2,500+

What affects luxury trailer pricing

  • Size and specification: More cubicles, higher-grade finishes, and additional features (ambient lighting, sound systems, heated floors) increase the price.
  • Season: Summer wedding weekends (May to September Saturdays) command premium pricing. Midweek, winter, and off-peak dates are significantly cheaper.
  • Demand: Popular dates book up months in advance. Late availability, where it exists, may carry a premium or a discount depending on the provider.
  • Power requirements: Luxury trailers need an electrical connection. If your venue cannot provide one, generator hire adds £50 to £150 per weekend.

Welfare units

Welfare units — full site welfare cabins with toilet, washing facilities, canteen, drying room, and heating — are priced separately from portable toilets.

  • Weekly hire: £150 to £300 per week depending on specification
  • Generator hire (if no mains power): £50 to £100 per week additional
  • Delivery and collection: £100 to £200 as a one-off

What should be included in any quote

Regardless of the hire type, a transparent quote should include:

  • Delivery and positioning of the unit
  • A clean, fully stocked unit in good condition
  • Weekly servicing for construction hires (waste removal, cleaning, restocking)
  • Collection at the end of the hire
  • Service documentation for compliance purposes

What should not appear as extras

Beware of quotes that add the following as separate line items:

  • Servicing charges on top of the weekly hire rate
  • Fuel surcharges or mileage charges
  • Environmental disposal levies
  • Administration fees
  • Call-out fees for scheduled service visits

These are costs of doing business, not legitimate extras. A provider that itemises them separately is obscuring the true cost of the hire.

Getting a quote from us

We quote a total price that includes delivery, servicing, consumables, and collection. The only addition is VAT at the prevailing rate.

Call 07534 362 251 with the details — what you need, where, when, and for how long — and we will give you a firm price within minutes. Chelford Mobile Services covers Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Greater Manchester.