Portable restrooms have become fairly common in the past few decades. Their ease of use and portability has led toan estimated 3 million portable restrooms being currently in use worldwide.

And why wouldn’t they? You can literally haul a portable restroom in the back of a pickup truck and carry them anywhere where toilets aren’t available, such as camping sites, remote beaches, and even outdoor events.

It has become a common practice to rent portable restrooms for such events, especially during the weekends. It is an inexpensive investment and makes things significantly more manageable.

However, if you find yourself renting portable restrooms frequently, you may have pondered the idea of buying a unit altogether. But is it really a smart investment in the long run, or are you just throwing away money? Read on to find out.

Buy or Rent?

Before you decide whether you want to buy a portable restroom or continue renting it, there are a few things you need to consider.

Portable restrooms can be easily rented according to your convenience, and you can choose whether you want to rent them on a daily or monthly basis. While the cost may vary slightly from region to region, the usual rent for a standard portable restroom ranges from $60 to $100 a day or $150 to $300 a month. If you want to opt for the deluxe version or high-rise restroom, you’ll likely have to pay up to $100 to $150 per day or $300 to $500 per month.

On the other hand, purchasing a standard unit will cost around $700. With various specialty units such as handicapped or ADA-compliancy, Deluxe models may cost you up to $3,000. However, this is still a ballpark figure, as the price can be significantly different based on various factors.

If you feel that you use portable restrooms frequently enough that purchasing it will be more feasible in the long run. It would be wise to make this investment. However, keep in mind that you’ll still have to pay to get it cleaned regularly. This will minimize  unpleasant moments when you use the portable restroom.

Similarly, if you don’t use portable restrooms frequently, renting them only when the need arises is the more feasible option.