There’s nothing that people remember after an event like a poorly managed bathroom situation. Long lines, units that empty out after an hour, guests wandering away looking for something else to do. When you’re looking for the Best Porta Potty Rental In Monmouth County New Jersey, the most important thing to decide first is the count. Too few and your guests will complain. Too many and you’ve spent more on units that go unused. The good news is that getting the math right isn’t as hard as it seems – it’s all about your guest count, hours, and venue. With these numbers in hand, you’re ninety percent of the way there.
Start With Your Guest Count, Whatever It Is
The first roadblock for people is to use the invite number instead of the actual turnout. You invited three hundred people but only two hundred showed? You sold five hundred tickets and had a great day with more people wandering in than expected? Use the higher number and make sure you’re accounting for any weather factors as well. An overcast Thursday simply doesn’t draw the same foot traffic as a Saturday at the Jersey Shore.
A solid rule of thumb that a lot of providers use is one unit per fifty guests for a standard four hour event. This is a good starting point, with fifty representing a nice round number rather than a specific guideline.
How Long Your Event Runs Matters Too
An two hour birthday party versus a twelve hour music festival are both wildly different affairs, even with the same guest count. The longer an event goes on, the more bathroom breaks people take. It’s really as simple as that. Shorter events, anything under three hours, might be able to get away with less units due to guests not going at all. Once you hit that four hour mark, almost everyone will have gone at least once and enough people that you’ll want an extra for those double visitors.
For events that are longer than normal, say eight hours, you often need to double your original count, sometimes more. If adding more units isn’t an option, adding a service call in the middle of your event can often help as well. For a longer peek at that, keep reading.
Your Guests Might Not Be The Same As Everyone Else’s
Two different events, same guest count, same hours, but one will need far more bathrooms than the other. That’s entirely okay – that’s why we’re doing this whole exercise. If there’s a beer garden or open bar, plan on thirty to fifty percent more visitors hitting the bathrooms. The same goes for hot weather where people are constantly drinking water. Events with food trucks or a large amount of beverages for sale will need more toilets as well.
Large families with small children at an event means more stops at the bathroom and longer visits, especially if parents are making sure their charge is washing their hands and not getting into trouble. Corporate picnics with coffee and sandwiches are a much lower traffic and much lower intensity type of event. Be realistic about what kind of crowd you’re expecting.
The Venue Can Change Virtually Anything
It’s rare that an event takes place in only one venue, but knowing the conditions of the spaces involved is important. In Monmouth County we’ve got beaches, farms, fairgrounds, schoolyards, parking lots, and backyard barbecues that somehow got away from their hosts. Each one of these places have subtleties that need to be taken into account.
The grass after a rainstorm might be too mushy for the delivery truck, or leave tire tracks in the nice lawn. A field in back of a barn might be four hundred yards from the main action, meaning that the three units in back of the stage will be ignored in favor of the five right by the parking lot. Make sure that the entrances, exits, and roadways are all accessible to the truck. Some venues and towns have specific rules or requirements that should be taken into account as well.
Don’t Forget About Accessible Toilets And Hand Wash Stations
Public events usually require at least one accessible unit and often more, but even private events should consider having one available in case someone shows up in need. These are larger units, plan on having space for them and put them on a flat, stable surface away from the action but with a clear path.
Hand wash stations are another consideration, especially if there’s food being served. A good rule of thumb is at least one near the clusters of porta potties and one near the food area. They tend to get ignored, but the presence of sinks, running water, and soap go a long way towards making everyone feel welcome and safe.
The Placement Of The Porta Potties Matters Just As Much As The Number
Placing the porta potties is almost as important as picking the right amount. Spread them out in small clusters rather than one big group. This means that lines won’t form at the front of a larger cluster while the smaller ones have nothing going on. Put them at least a short walk away from the main event, but not right next to the food tent. Nobody wants to smell the burgers while they’re trying to eat their own lunch. Don’t put lights on the units if the event is going to continue past dark, not many people want to see a porta potty at the edge of a field at midnight. Make sure that there are signs pointing towards them, so people know they’re there. Leave enough space for the service truck to get in and out, especially for events that run long and need a pump out. The placement of the porta potties should take into account any kind of service call you might have to make.
Making Sure To Account For Services During The Event
For events that go on for a prolonged period of time, ask about services during the day. A quick pump out, toilet paper, hand soap resupply, and general cleaning can go a long way towards ensuring everything smells fine and isn’t overflowing by noon.
Make Sure To Talk To Someone At The Rental Company
When you talk to someone at a rental company, be sure to give them all the details about your event. Your guest count and hours are the most important, but also give them information about alcohol availability and the venue your event is at. A good company will have an experienced representative who knows the area and might tell you that you ordered thirteen units for a two hour event when you actually need twice as many. This is a good sign that they’re looking out for your event’s best interests. Ask about delivery windows and be sure to book early, especially for summer weekends. Everything we’ve said so far might seem like a lot to think about, but it only takes a minute to go over with your provider and they’ll be able to tell you how much sense your order really makes.
Conclusion
To recap, start with a guest count that reflects a realistic turnout. From there, plan on using between two and five portable toilets for every fifty people at a standard four-hour event. Add more units if your event lasts longer or involves alcohol, and spread them out in clusters rather than placing them all together. Consider special requirements such as accessible restrooms and handwashing stations.
For longer events, account for additional usage by adding more units or scheduling a service call during the event. These factors will help you determine the right number of toilets for your needs. When you’re ready to get pricing for Porta Potty Rental Monmouth County NJ, a local provider familiar with events in the area can use your guest count, event duration, and past rental experience to recommend a suitable setup. Contact a couple of providers, ask your questions, and make sure you’re comfortable with your final order. Your guests might not remember every detail of your event, but they will certainly remember the bathrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many porta potties do I need for 100 guests?
For a four hour event, somewhere around two to three portapotties should do, with the higher end of that number if your guests are drinking or it’s a hot day.
How many portable toilets for a 200 person outdoor event?
Plan on somewhere around four to five portable toilets for a standard four hour event, with at least a couple more if your event is an all day affair and an additional one or two for an accessible unit and a hand wash station.
Do I need more portable toilets if alcohol is served?
Bars and beer gardens tend to skew the numbers quite a bit, so plan on at least a third more portable toilets if your event includes a place for guests to get a drink.
How far should porta potties be from the food and main event area?
Within a reasonable distance that guests won’t complain about walking but far enough that they aren’t next to the food tents or seating areas.
How early should I book a portable toilet rental in Monmouth County?
As soon as you have a confirmed date and venue, especially for popular days and events.