Blog ·
Porta Potty 28-Day Billing Explained
Long-term porta potty rentals bill every 28 days, not by calendar month. Here is how cycles renew, how pickup works and how to estimate your total.
By Dominic, owner · Reviewed
Why do porta potty rentals bill every 28 days?
Porta potty rentals bill every 28 days because 28 days equals exactly 4 weekly service visits. Each cycle lines up with the weekly pump, clean and restock schedule. A calendar month can hold 4 or 5 service days, so a 28-day cycle keeps every billing period the same.
Construction and long-term units are serviced once a week. Service is included in your cycle rate.
A 28-day cycle always has the same number of service visits. That makes each bill easy to predict.
Event units work differently. Party and wedding units are a flat rental for up to 7 days.
Many jobs last longer than planned. The 28-day cycle lets the rental keep going without any new paperwork. You stay covered until you call us to say the job is done and the unit can come back.
When does my first 28-day cycle start?
The first 28-day billing cycle starts on the day the porta potty is delivered. If a unit lands on September 1, the first cycle runs through September 28. The second cycle starts September 29. Each new cycle starts the day after the last one ends.
Cycles do not reset on the 1st of the month. They follow your delivery date.
| Cycle | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 1 | Sep 28 |
| 2 | Sep 29 | Oct 26 |
| 3 | Oct 27 | Nov 23 |
Mark your cycle end dates on a calendar. That helps you time your pickup call.
If you add a second unit later, it gets its own start date. Each unit then follows its own 28-day schedule. Your quote and invoice will list the dates for every unit, so you always know which cycle each one is in.
How do renewals work on a long-term rental?
A long-term porta potty rental renews on its own at the end of each 28-day cycle. You do not need to sign anything new. The unit stays on site, weekly service continues and the next cycle bills until you call for pickup. Business accounts can be invoiced each cycle.
Auto-renewal keeps your crew covered when a job runs long. Nobody has to remember to extend the rental.
- Each renewal bills one full cycle at your cycle rate.
- Weekly pumping and restocking continue without a break.
- Need twice-weekly service? Ask, and it can be added.
Card customers are charged each cycle. Business accounts get an invoice.
If your crew grows, you can add units at any time. If the crew shrinks, call and ask to pull one unit. The rest of the units keep renewing as normal until you call for each of them.
How do I end a rental and schedule pickup?
To end a long-term rental, call (603) 956-9760 and ask for pickup. The rental stops renewing once you call. Phones are open Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM. Call a few days before your cycle ends to avoid starting another 28-day cycle.
A unit is not picked up automatically when your work ends. It keeps renewing until you call.
- Check your current cycle end date.
- Call 3 to 5 days before that date.
- Keep the path to the unit clear for the truck.
A common mistake is finishing a job and forgetting the unit. An extra cycle for an unused toilet is money spent for nothing.
On pickup day, the truck pumps the tank before it hauls the unit away. You do not need to be on site as long as the driver can reach the unit.
How many cycles does a 10-week job need?
A 10-week job is 70 days, which needs 3 billing cycles of 28 days. Two cycles cover only 56 days, so the last 14 days start a third cycle. With weekly service, the unit gets about 10 cleanings over the job. Your total is 3 times your cycle rate.
Here is the worked example for a 10-week job:
| Cycle | Days | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Days 1–28 | 28 days |
| 2 | Days 29–56 | 56 days |
| 3 | Days 57–70 (partial use) | 70 days |
To estimate any job, divide the number of days by 28 and round up. An 8-week job is 56 days, which is exactly 2 cycles. A 9-week job is 63 days, which is 3 cycles.
Want to avoid the third cycle? Finish the work by day 56 and call before day 57. Even a few days can make a full cycle of difference on the bill.
Is 28-day billing cheaper than monthly billing?
Over a full year, 28-day billing has 13 cycles instead of 12 months. Each cycle is shorter, so cycle rates are set to match. The main benefit is predictability: every cycle has 4 service visits, and you can time pickup to the day using your 28-day end dates.
Compare quotes by total cost for your job length, not by rate alone. A short job may fit neatly in 1 or 2 cycles.
Pricing depends on unit, dates, servicing, quantity and distance. Our cost page explains each factor.
For jobs under a week, an event rental may cost less. Ask which option fits your dates.
Ask for a quote with your expected start and end dates. The quote will show how many cycles your job is likely to need. That makes it simple to plan your budget before the first unit is delivered.