Small portable toilet and handwash fleet
Rent a few portable toilets and handwash stations to local events and job sites, with a partner handling the servicing.
- C$8k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You buy a small fleet of portable toilets and handwash units, store them in a yard, and deliver them on a pickup or trailer. A licensed septage hauler or a larger toilet company does the pump-outs under a service agreement.
Your first three steps
- Call local event organizers and contractors to find out what they pay now and who services your area
- Line up a licensed hauler to service your units, and check where you can store and clean them
- Price a first set of 8 to 15 units (new or used), get insurance quotes, and put up a simple booking page
Who pays
Community event organizers, fairs, sports clubs, small contractors, renovation crews and private party hosts.
How it makes money
A rental fee per unit per day, weekend or month, plus delivery and pick-up charges. Handwash stations and extra servicing are add-ons.
Skills that help
- Reliable driving and towing
- Organizing bookings and deliveries
- Straightforward customer service
- Comfortable with dirty, physical work
Watch out for
- Waste handling: check with your provincial environment ministry who may haul and dispose of the waste, and use only approved facilities
- Commercial general liability and commercial auto insurance, and ask about pollution cover
- Check municipal rules on storing units at your property and placing them on public land
- Winter: freezing and low summer-only demand in many regions, so plan for the off-season
- Theft and vandalism of units left at unattended sites
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small portable toilet and handwash fleet
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a portable toilet rental business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $8,000 to $25,000, depending on how many units you buy, your delivery vehicle or trailer, storage yard and insurance. A partner handles servicing under an agreement.
How much revenue can a small portable toilet fleet make?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on fleet size, the events and job sites you serve and the season. Demand can be summer-focused in many regions, so plan for the off-season.
What should I check before renting out portable toilets?
Check with your provincial environment ministry who may haul and dispose of the waste, and use only approved facilities. Also check municipal rules on storing units and placing them on public land, insurance including pollution cover, and theft or vandalism risks.
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