Question 1

How much does it cost to hire a portable toilet?

Accepted Answer

A standard portable toilet on a four-week hire typically costs £40 to £50 per week including weekly servicing. Delivery and collection is usually £50 to £80. VAT is additional.

Question 2

Is servicing included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For construction site hires, weekly servicing is included in the weekly rate at no extra cost. For event hires, the unit is delivered clean and fully stocked.

Question 3

Are there any hidden charges?

Accepted Answer

Not with us. We quote a total price that includes delivery, servicing, and collection. The only addition is VAT.

Question 4

Is it cheaper to buy a portable toilet than hire one?

Accepted Answer

A new portable toilet costs £600 to £900. At £45/week hire, the break-even point is around 15 weeks. But buying commits you to servicing, waste disposal, storage, and transport — costs that hiring eliminates.

Question 5

Do you charge extra for weekend delivery?

Accepted Answer

We deliver Monday to Friday as standard. Saturday delivery can be arranged for events and is usually included in event hire quotes.

Question 6

How much does a luxury toilet trailer cost?

Accepted Answer

Luxury toilet trailers cost £600 to £1,500 for a weekend hire, depending on size, specification, and time of year. Summer wedding dates command premium pricing.

Question 7

Do longer hires get a cheaper rate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The weekly rate reduces on hires of four weeks or more, and reduces further on hires exceeding twelve weeks.

Question 8

How many portable toilets do I need for a wedding?

Accepted Answer

Up to 80 guests: 2 standard plus 1 accessible. 80 to 150 guests: 3 standard plus 1 urinal plus 1 accessible. Over 150: contact us. These assume alcohol is being served.

Question 9

How many toilets per person for an event?

Accepted Answer

The industry standard is 1 toilet per 100 female guests and 1 toilet or urinal per 150 male guests. Add 25 to 40 percent for events with alcohol.

Question 10

How many toilets do I need on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

The current British Standard ratio is 1 toilet per 5 workers (updated from the previous 1 per 7). For a site with 10 workers, you need 2 units.

Question 11

Do I need an accessible toilet at my event?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Equality Act 2010 requires accessible toilet provision at all public events. At minimum, one accessible unit per event.

Question 12

Do I need urinals as well as toilets?

Accepted Answer

For events over 200 people with alcohol, urinals significantly reduce queue times. A single urinal unit has roughly ten times the throughput of a standard toilet for male attendees.

Question 13

How quickly can you deliver?

Accepted Answer

Usually within 24 to 48 hours. Same-day delivery is sometimes possible depending on our schedule. Call us for urgent requirements.

Question 14

What access do you need for delivery?

Accepted Answer

A route wide enough for a large van, free from overhead obstructions below 3 metres, and a turning space or ability to reverse out.

Question 15

Where should I put a portable toilet?

Accepted Answer

On level, firm ground — tarmac, concrete, compacted gravel, or firm dry grass. The unit needs to be within 15 metres of our service vehicle access point.

Question 16

Can you deliver to a residential address?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Home renovations, garden parties, and domestic plumbing emergencies are common reasons for residential delivery. A standard driveway provides sufficient access.

Question 17

Can I put a portable toilet on a slope?

Accepted Answer

A slight slope (up to about 5 degrees) is fine. Above 10 degrees, the unit becomes unstable. We can advise on positioning during delivery.

Question 18

How much space does a portable toilet need?

Accepted Answer

The unit footprint is approximately 120cm x 120cm. With door swing clearance, you need about 120cm x 210cm — roughly the size of a single bed.

Question 19

How often are portable toilets serviced?

Accepted Answer

Weekly for construction site hires. This is the minimum standard and is included in our hire price. Some high-usage sites may benefit from twice-weekly servicing.

Question 20

What happens during a service visit?

Accepted Answer

The waste tank is emptied, the interior is cleaned and disinfected, consumables are restocked (toilet paper, hand sanitiser), fresh chemical is added, and the visit is logged.

Question 21

How long does a service visit take?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 10 to 15 minutes per unit, including waste extraction, cleaning, restocking, and documentation.

Question 22

Where does the waste go?

Accepted Answer

All waste is transported in sealed tanks to licensed disposal facilities where it enters the municipal sewage treatment system. We hold the appropriate waste carrier registrations.

Question 23

Do portable toilets smell?

Accepted Answer

A well-maintained modern portable toilet should not smell bad. Modern chemical treatments control odour effectively. If a unit smells, it needs servicing — the problem is maintenance, not the technology.

Question 24

Can I clean the portable toilet myself?

Accepted Answer

You can keep the interior tidy — wiping the seat, replacing toilet paper. But emptying the waste tank requires specialist equipment and a waste carrier licence. This is our job.

Question 25

Do I legally need a toilet on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CDM 2015 Schedule 2 requires suitable sanitary conveniences on every construction site, including domestic projects where contractors are employed.

Question 26

What ratio of toilets to workers does HSE require?

Accepted Answer

The current guidance is 1 toilet per 5 workers (updated from the previous 1 per 7 under the revised British Standard).

Question 27

Do I need accessible toilets at my event?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Equality Act 2010 requires event organisers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, which includes providing accessible toilet facilities.

Question 28

Is it illegal to dump portable toilet waste?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Illegal disposal of sewage waste is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, carrying unlimited fines and up to five years imprisonment.

Question 29

Do you provide service documentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every service visit is logged with the date, time, technician, and actions performed. This documentation is available for HSE inspections and audit purposes.

Question 30

What happens if HSE inspects my site and there is no toilet?

Accepted Answer

You will receive an improvement notice requiring you to provide facilities immediately. Continued non-compliance can result in a prohibition notice, fines, and prosecution.

Question 31

How far in advance should I book for a wedding?

Accepted Answer

Six to twelve months for summer weddings. Three to four months for winter weddings. Peak summer Saturdays fill up — book as early as your venue and catering.

Question 32

Do you hire luxury toilet trailers?

Accepted Answer

We specialise in standard portable toilets, which are appropriate for the vast majority of events. For luxury trailer requirements, we can advise and refer to specialist providers.

Question 33

Can I hire toilets for just one day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is no minimum hire period. A single-day hire includes delivery and collection — the cost reflects logistics rather than duration.

Question 34

Do you cover music festivals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We supply events up to several thousand attendees. For very large festivals, we coordinate with trusted partner suppliers. Book three to six months ahead.

Question 35

How should I position toilets at my event?

Accepted Answer

Distribute them around the site rather than concentrating in one area. Keep them within easy walking distance of the main activity but out of the primary sightline. Light the path for evening events.

Question 36

What if my event is cancelled?

Accepted Answer

Contact us as soon as possible. We are understanding about cancellations and will work with you to reschedule or cancel without unnecessary charges.

Question 37

How do portable toilets work?

Accepted Answer

A portable toilet has a chemical flush that rinses waste into a sealed holding tank below the seat. The chemical controls odour and aids decomposition. No mains water, electricity, or drainage is needed.

Question 38

Can you flush a portable toilet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every modern portable toilet has a flush mechanism — typically a hand pump or foot pedal that releases chemical solution into the bowl.

Question 39

What is the blue liquid in a portable toilet?

Accepted Answer

It is a chemical treatment that controls odour, suppresses bacterial growth, and aids waste decomposition. Modern formulations use biological enzymes rather than formaldehyde.

Question 40

Can portable toilets be used in winter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Modern chemical formulations have a lower freezing point than water. In sustained frost, the flush may be sluggish, but the unit remains usable. Sheltered positioning helps.

Question 41

What if the portable toilet is vandalised?

Accepted Answer

Contact us immediately. We will advise whether it can be repaired on site, needs an emergency service visit, or needs replacement. The hirer is typically responsible for damage under standard hire terms.

Question 42

Do you hire to the general public or only businesses?

Accepted Answer

Both. We serve construction companies, event organisers, parish councils, homeowners, and private individuals. Everyone gets the same service standard.

Question 43

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

14 Elmstead Rd, Chelford, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9BS. We are a family-run business serving Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Greater Manchester.

Question 44

How long have you been operating?

Accepted Answer

We have extensive experience in the portable toilet hire industry, serving clients across four counties from our central Cheshire base.

Question 45

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Greater Manchester — covering over 50 towns from Chester to Manchester, Shrewsbury to Stoke-on-Trent.

Question 46

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance. Documentation is available on request for risk assessments and site inductions.

Question 47

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Call 07534 362 251 or use our contact form. Tell us what you need, where, and when. We give firm, all-inclusive quotes — no hidden charges.

Portable Toilet Hire FAQs

Costs & Pricing

How Many Do I Need?

Delivery & Setup

Servicing & Maintenance

Regulations & Compliance

Events & Weddings

Practical Questions

About Chelford Mobile Services

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