Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Portable Toilet Hire in Brisbane
When planning a construction project, event or renovation in Brisbane, it’s easy to overlook the details around on-site amenities. But if you’ve ever worked a long shift without access to proper facilities, you’ll know just how important toilets are to a smooth-running project. At Fortress Hire, we specialise in portable toilet hire across Brisbane, and over the years, we’ve seen how a few simple missteps can turn sanitation from an afterthought into a major disruption.
To help you avoid common issues, we’ve put together this list of the top five mistakes people make when booking portable toilets, and how you can plan smarter for your next project or event.
1. Leaving Your Booking Too Late
One of the most frequent mistakes is waiting until the last minute to organise toilets. Spring and summer are especially busy seasons for outdoor events, site work and construction in Brisbane. If you try to book at the eleventh hour, you may find limited availability or be forced to settle for substandard options.
At Fortress Hire, we recommend locking in your portable toilet hire as early as possible, especially if your project falls during peak periods or over a long weekend. Early booking gives you more choice, ensures delivery to suit your schedule and allows time for proper site planning.
2. Choosing Based on Price Alone
We understand that cost matters, but going with the cheapest option isn’t always wise. Some providers offer affordable portable toilet hire in Brisbane by cutting corners, poor hygiene standards, unreliable servicing, or old, worn-out units. The result? Complaints from workers or guests, potential health issues, and a negative impact on your site’s professionalism.
At Fortress Hire, we believe value means balancing affordability with quality. Our toilets are modern, clean and serviced regularly. You get transparent pricing, clear hire terms, and the peace of mind that your facilities are up to standard.
3. Underestimating How Many Toilets You Need
It’s easy to underestimate the number of toilets required for your project or event, especially when working with a limited budget or short timeline. But failing to supply enough toilets creates bottlenecks, long queues and frustration, particularly on busy work sites or crowded gatherings.
As a general rule:
For construction: 1 toilet per 10 workers over a standard work week
For events: 1 toilet per 50 guests for a function of up to four hours
Additional units are recommended for larger teams, longer hours, or when alcohol is served
If you’re unsure, our experienced team can advise on the right quantity and setup for your needs.
4. Forgetting to Consider Access and Site Layout
Even the cleanest, most well-maintained toilet isn’t helpful if it can’t be delivered or serviced properly. We often encounter clients who book a toilet but don’t plan for things like truck access, flat ground, or safe proximity to work zones.
To avoid issues:
Ensure your site has clear vehicle access
Choose a level, well-drained area for placement
Allow space for servicing if you’re hiring long term
Avoid placing units too far from key activity zones
Our team is happy to assist during delivery to find the safest and most practical location for your unit.
5. Not Booking Servicing for Longer Projects
Hiring a portable toilet is only the beginning. For projects lasting more than a few days, regular servicing is essential to maintain hygiene and functionality. Unfortunately, many clients assume the toilet will stay clean on its own, and end up facing overflows, odours and complaints.
At Fortress Hire, all long-term toilet hire includes weekly servicing. This includes:
Waste removal
Restocking of toilet paper and hand sanitiser
Internal cleaning and deodorising
Maintenance checks
For high-traffic sites or special requirements, we can increase service frequency to keep everything in top condition.
What to Look for in a Trusted Portable Toilet Hire Provider
To avoid all the above mistakes, it’s essential to work with a local provider that understands your needs. Fortress Hire is based in Brisbane and offers fast, flexible support to builders, event organisers and private customers across the region.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Clean, modern toilet units
Flexible hire periods for short or long-term use
Scheduled servicing for hygiene and convenience
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
One-call convenience for skip bins, fencing and site equipment
Local support from a team with building industry experience
Whether you’re running a work site, planning a backyard celebration or managing a major public event, we make sure your sanitation needs are handled professionally from start to finish.
Additional Equipment Hire to Streamline Your Project
In addition to portable toilet hire, Fortress Hire also provides:
Skip bin hire for waste management
Temporary fencing to secure your site
Temporary power poles for new builds or major renovations
Liquid waste services for long-term site compliance
Equipment hire such as trestles and planks
With our one-call system, you can book everything you need in a single step, saving time and reducing stress.
Why Brisbane Builders and Event Organisers Choose Fortress Hire
Our founder began as a local carpenter working on residential builds across Brisbane. He saw firsthand how much time was wasted coordinating equipment from different companies. Fortress Hire was created to solve that problem, offering fast delivery, responsive service and one point of contact for all site needs.
Builders across Brisbane choose us because we:
Understand construction schedules
Deliver quickly and on time
Maintain high standards of cleanliness
Offer competitive, upfront pricing
Are locally owned and operated
We bring real-world building experience into everything we do.
Book with Confidence: Portable Toilet Hire Made Easy
If you need portable toilet hire near you, don’t leave it until the last minute. Booking early, planning ahead and partnering with a reliable local provider makes all the difference.
Avoid the common mistakes listed above and make your next hire simple, affordable and hassle-free. Whether it’s a single unit for a weekend project or multiple toilets for a large-scale event, Fortress Hire delivers the service and support you can count on.
Visitwww.fortresshire.com.au or contact our Brisbane team to get started.
