Should I buy a portable toilet rental business or start one?

People who like the idea of a portable toilet company usually arrive at the same fork: take over one that already runs, or build one from nothing. Neither path is the right answer for everyone, and Deavo cannot tell you which to take. What it can do is lay out what each path gives you, so your questions are sharper when you talk to an owner or to your advisers.

What an existing business gives you

An established company comes with customers, regular routes, trucks, units and drivers who know the work. It may also have a place to unload waste that took time to arrange. An existing business may reach income sooner or later than a start-up, depending on what you find. Ask what really transfers, though, because contracts, supplier terms and arrangements with the disposal site may need the other side’s consent.

What starting your own gives you

A new company lets you choose your own equipment, your service area and the kind of work you want, whether events, construction or a mix. You carry no one else’s habits or past problems. You also build every relationship yourself, find your own disposal arrangement and wait for the routes to fill. That takes time, and the early months can be quiet.

Questions to ask yourself

• Do I want to run an operation, or to build one from nothing?
• How much time can I give before the company supports me?
• Am I comfortable doing the physical work myself, at least at first?
• Do I have access to lenders, a lawyer and an accountant who know this trade?

If you lean toward buying, read what to check before buying a portable toilet rental business before you make contact.