Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Portable Toilets in Brisbane
Hiring portable toilets might seem like a straightforward task, but without the right planning, it can quickly turn into a costly and inconvenient headache. Whether you're organising a wedding, festival, community event or managing a construction site in Brisbane, avoiding common mistakes ensures your toilet facilities are clean, compliant and hassle-free.
At Fortress Hire, we’ve supplied portable toilet hire Brisbane-wide for years, helping clients run smooth events and safe worksites. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top five mistakes people make when hiring portable toilets, and how to avoid them with confidence.
If you’ve ever searched for portable toilet hire near me or event toilet hire in Brisbane, this guide will help you plan smarter and save money.
Mistake 1: Underestimating How Many Toilets You Need
One of the most common mistakes event organisers and site managers make is hiring too few toilets. The result? Long queues, poor hygiene, frustrated guests or non-compliant worksites.
When calculating how many portable toilets to hire, you need to factor in:
Number of people on-site
Duration of the event or job
Whether food and alcohol are served
Gender breakdown
Site layout and available space
As a guide:
1 toilet per 50 people for short events with no alcohol
1 toilet per 20–25 people if alcohol is served or the event is longer
1 toilet per 10 workers for construction sites over a standard workweek
Our team at Fortress Hire can help you calculate the correct number based on your unique situation so you stay compliant and avoid complaints.
Mistake 2: Choosing the Wrong Type of Toilet
Not all portable toilets are the same. Hiring the wrong type for your event or site can impact comfort, accessibility and compliance.
At Fortress Hire, we offer:
Standard portable toilets: Great for general use at events or worksites
Accessible toilets: Larger units with ramp access, handrails and extra space
Portaloo hire Brisbane: Compact and budget-friendly for smaller jobs
Handwash stations: Optional additions for hygiene, especially at food events
Choosing the right type depends on your audience. Events open to the public must include accessible toilets. For high-end events, we can discuss premium options. And for multi-day festivals, handwashing stations are strongly recommended.
Avoid this mistake by talking to our team, we’ll match the toilet to your audience, setting and expectations.
Mistake 3: Poor Site Placement and Access Planning
A common oversight in Brisbane events and builds is not considering the physical location of the portable toilets. Placing them too far from the action, or in hard-to-reach spots, creates problems for guests and servicing crews alike.
When planning your placement, think about:
Flat, stable ground for safe installation
Close but discreet locations near high-traffic zones
Adequate vehicle access for delivery and servicing
Lighting and signage for night-time visibility
Proximity to temporary fencing or designated event zones
At Fortress Hire, we deliver across all Brisbane suburbs and help assess the best location for your toilets. If servicing is required during the hire, we ensure the layout allows pump trucks safe access.
Mistake 4: Forgetting to Schedule Servicing for Multi-Day Use
Another frequent error is assuming that once a toilet is delivered, it doesn’t need attention. For longer hires or large crowds, failing to schedule regular servicing can lead to unpleasant odours, unhygienic conditions and unhappy guests.
We recommend scheduled servicing for:
Events over multiple days
High-traffic public functions
Construction sites with large teams
Remote sites without easy access to mains water or plumbing
Servicing typically includes pumping waste, refilling hand sanitiser and toilet paper, and cleaning the interior. At Fortress Hire, we’ll advise if servicing is required and schedule it accordingly, keeping everything fresh and functional.
Mistake 5: Hiring From an Inexperienced or Unreliable Supplier
Not all portable toilet hire providers in Brisbane offer the same level of service, reliability or compliance. Hiring from a provider that cuts corners can leave you with late deliveries, unclean units or toilets that don’t meet event or council requirements.
When choosing a hire company, look for:
A local Brisbane-based team
Fast, reliable delivery and pickup
Clean, sanitised, well-maintained units
Transparent pricing and clear communication
Familiarity with local council and safety regulations
At Fortress Hire, we take pride in our service. We’re trusted by builders, event organisers and homeowners across Brisbane to deliver clean, compliant and on-time toilet solutions. Our team understands what’s needed for different types of jobs and events and offers advice to help you get it right.
Bonus Tip: Combine Services for Simpler Planning
Portable toilets are often just one of several hire needs on a busy site or during event planning. Fortress Hire offers a full suite of site solutions, making it easier to manage your entire project through one trusted supplier.
Alongside portable toilet hire Brisbane, we also provide:
Skip bin hire Brisbane: Ideal for waste removal during clean-ups, events or construction
Temporary fence hire Brisbane: Ensure security and access control at worksites or events
Portaloo hire Brisbane: A cost-effective solution for short-term needs
Temp fencing Brisbane: Fast-install fencing for renovations, festivals and safety compliance
Bundling services saves time, reduces coordination stress and keeps your site safe and compliant.
Areas We Service Across Brisbane
From the CBD to the suburbs, Fortress Hire delivers portable toilets across Brisbane, including:
Inner Brisbane and South Bank
Northside suburbs like Chermside and Aspley
South Brisbane areas such as Logan and Sunnybank
Western suburbs including Indooroopilly and Kenmore
East Brisbane including Carindale and Wynnum
No matter where your event or site is located, we ensure prompt delivery, easy communication and complete local knowledge of Brisbane’s event and construction regulations.
How to Book Portable Toilet Hire with Fortress Hire
Hiring toilets has never been easier. Just visit www.fortresshire.com.au and request a fast quote. Provide your event or project details, dates, location and any special requirements.
Prefer to talk it through? Give us a call and our Brisbane-based team will help you choose the right toilet type, quantity and hire period.
We’ll confirm availability, schedule your delivery and make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
Portable toilet hire in Brisbane should be easy, clean and stress-free, but only if you avoid the most common mistakes. From ordering too few units to hiring from the wrong supplier, poor planning can affect your event’s success or your worksite’s compliance.
At Fortress Hire, we help Brisbane locals plan smarter. Our expert team will guide you through every step of the process and ensure your toilet hire is comfortable, compliant and completely hassle-free.
If you’re searching for portable toilet hire near me, event toilet hire or affordable toilet hire Brisbane, Fortress Hire is here to help.
