Porta-Potty Rental
Everyone needs to go — you just provide the where
Portable sanitation rental is a recession-proof, essential-service business. You buy or lease portable toilets and rent them to construction sites, outdoor events, and festivals. Routes are serviced weekly with a pump truck. Once you build a route, recurring revenue is remarkably stable.
Avg Revenue
$300K
Profit Margin
35%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 4x
Startup Cost
$40K - $200K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
You purchase portable toilets ($500-$1,000 each) and a pump/service truck. Units are delivered to construction sites, events, or properties and serviced on a weekly schedule. Construction accounts are long-term contracts; event rentals are higher-margin short-term jobs.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 562991 · Septic Tank and Related Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | AZ | $4.1M | $4.8M | 8 | — |
| Nov 2025 | TX | $2.6M | $3.1M | 9 | — |
| Sep 2025 | FL | $2.3M | $2.7M | 7 | — |
| Mar 2025 | NJ | $1.4M | $1.7M | 6 | — |
| Mar 2025 | TN | $837K | $985K | 8 | redbox+ |
| Feb 2025 | OH | $444K | $522K | 1 | — |
| Jan 2025 | TN | $1.2M | $1.4M | 4 | — |
| Nov 2024 | NC | $650K | $765K | 9 | — |
| Nov 2024 | NC | $50K | $59K | 9 | — |
| Oct 2024 | PA | $365K | $429K | 6 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Recession-proof — construction and events always need sanitation
- +Strong recurring revenue from weekly service contracts
- +Low competition in many markets — not a glamorous business
- +Units last 10+ years with minimal maintenance
Cons
- -Unpleasant work — you're pumping sewage
- -Requires a CDL or specialized license in some states
- -Seasonal dip in colder climates
Best For
Operators who don't mind getting dirty for reliable cash flow
Operating Costs
Main costs are fuel for the pump truck, disposal fees at wastewater treatment plants, unit replacement, insurance, and 1-2 employees for servicing routes.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find portable sanitation businesses for sale nationwide
Browse service-based business opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $600K–$1.2M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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