Durham Porta Pros delivers restroom trailers and standard units to film sets across Durham on schedules built around call times, not business hours. A crew of 40 typically needs at least 2 toilet facilities under OSHA 1926.51(c), and we can have units on location within the same day for most bookings.
Production crews are not construction crews, but the same math applies once cast and crew count climbs. OSHA 1926.51(c)(1) sets 1 toilet facility for 20 workers or fewer, then 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers once you pass that line. A tight indie shoot with 15 people might run fine on a single standard porta potty rental, but once you add background talent, a second unit department, and craft services, the count moves fast. Most location managers we work with in Durham skip the guesswork and go straight to a 4 stall restroom trailer or 8 stall restroom trailer, since it covers cast comfort and crew volume in one delivery. If the production includes any principal actors, a deluxe flushable porta potty or a small luxury restroom trailer near base camp keeps trailers off the actual shooting location while still being close enough for a quick break between takes. ADA access matters too: under ADA Standards section 213.2, clustered single-user units need at least one accessible unit, and we can add an ADA accessible porta potty to any package. For crews running generators near catering or makeup trailers, ask about a portable generator rental film shoots often pair with a light tower or power pole, since sound stages and night exteriors both draw more current than a single household circuit.
Budgets vary by unit type, headcount, and how many shoot days you're covering, but most productions land in a predictable range once you know the categories.
| Unit | Day | Week | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard unit | $100 - $350 | $130 - $500 | $125 - $400 |
| ADA unit | $200 - $400 | $199 - $300 | $199 - $300 |
| Deluxe flushable | $85 - $1,200 | $150 - $290 | -- |
| Restroom trailer | $175 - $2,500 | $900 - $1,650 | $900 - $3,000 |
A single-day commercial shoot with a small crew usually books a couple of standard porta potty rental units plus one accessible unit. A multi-week feature with a base camp near Durham tends to justify a trailer instead, since restroom trailer rental pricing evens out over longer bookings compared to daily trailer rates. Delivery runs separately from the unit itself, and most crews also add a handwashing station rental near craft services, since 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) requires soap and towels or a hand-drying device, not just sanitizer. For full breakdowns by duration, see porta potty rental per day and monthly porta potty rental if your shoot runs long.
Locations fall through. Weather moves a shoot indoors, a permit gets pulled, or the client adds a night shoot two days before wrap. Durham Porta Pros keeps standard units and a handful of trailers ready for short-notice bookings, and most Durham deliveries can happen the same day the call sheet changes. If your new location sits near Gorman, about 8.3 miles northeast of Durham, or closer to Chapel Hill at 9.6 miles southwest, drive time is short enough that a same-day swap is realistic rather than optimistic. Productions based further out, toward Morrisville at 13.5 miles south or Apex at 23.7 miles south, should build in a little more lead time, particularly for trailer deliveries that need roughly 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck to position safely. For anything urgent, our emergency porta potty rental page covers how fast turnaround actually works, and the porta potty placement guide helps location scouts figure out where units can physically sit on a lot before the truck ever shows up. We also handle temporary fence rental and crowd control barrier rental for sets that need to keep background actors, gear, and the public separated, plus storage container rental if wardrobe or equipment needs secure overnight storage between shoot days. Between setups, a roll-off dumpster rental handles set-build debris without cluttering the lot.
Under OSHA 1926.51(c)(1), 50 workers fall between 20 and 200, which calls for 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 people, so a 50-person crew needs at least 2 facilities. Add an ADA unit per ADA Standards 213.2 if any units are clustered. See our how many porta potties do I need guide for headcount math beyond film sets.
Most trailers run interior lighting, climate control, and pump systems that need power, so yes, expect to pair a trailer with a generator or temporary power pole unless shore power is available on site. Confirm amperage needs with us before delivery day so the right size gets scheduled.
Yes. A single deluxe flushable porta potty works well for smaller productions or when talent needs a private option near base camp without the footprint of a full trailer. It flushes and includes a sink, unlike a standard unit.
Same-day delivery is often possible for standard units within Durham itself. Trailers and multi-unit orders benefit from more notice, especially if the location sits near Carrboro, 13.3 miles west, or further out toward Wake Forest at 24.6 miles east.
Yes. A portable sink rental or hand sanitizer station rental can be added to any restroom order, and craft services setups often request one specifically to meet handwashing expectations on set.
Yes. Durham Porta Pros delivers film set restroom rental across Durham and the surrounding metro, with same-day and next-day drop-off available on most orders.
Pricing depends on the unit and how long you need it. See our cost breakdown and request a free quote for an exact figure.
Standard rentals include scheduled service — a pump-out, a clean, a restock and fresh deodorizer. Busy or hot-weather sites can be serviced more often.
Call now or request a free quote — clean units, on-time delivery, transparent pricing.
