A practical guide for builders, small sites, and trade contractors
Quick answer
Most small building sites start with one toilet.
As the number of people on site increases, or if the project runs for several weeks or months, additional toilets are usually expected. What matters most is that facilities are available from day one, kept clean, and serviced regularly.
One of the most common questions builders ask at the start of a job is simple:
How many toilets do I actually need on site?
Sometimes it comes up during planning. Other times it’s prompted by an inspector, a neighbour, or a client raising concerns part way through a project.
The confusion usually comes from the fact that different sites have different expectations — and what works on one job may not be enough on another.
This guide explains how builders typically approach site toilets in real-world conditions.
Why this matters on building sites
Providing toilet facilities on a building site isn’t optional.
Toilets are a basic welfare requirement, and they’re one of the first things inspectors look for when visiting a site. If facilities aren’t in place, work can be delayed or stopped until the issue is resolved.
Beyond compliance, poorly planned welfare causes practical problems:
- Lost time leaving site to find facilities
- Complaints from neighbours or clients
- Tension between trades on shared sites
Getting the numbers right early avoids unnecessary disruption later.
The simple rule builders usually follow
Most builders don’t start by overthinking regulations.
In practice, the approach is straightforward:
- Small sites usually start with one toilet
- As the number of people on site increases, additional units are expected
- The length of the project matters just as much as headcount
What’s important is that the toilet is:
- Available when work starts
- Clean and usable
- Serviced regularly
That’s what inspectors and clients actually care about.
Typical examples by site size
Every site is different, but these examples reflect how builders usually plan in practice.
One-person or very small domestic jobs
- Short-duration work
- One or two people on site
- One toilet is normally sufficient
Small building sites (2–5 workers)
- Multiple trades on rotation
- Work lasting several weeks
- One toilet is standard, provided it’s serviced weekly
Growing sites with multiple trades
- Several contractors working at the same time
- Increased usage throughout the day
- A second toilet may be needed to avoid queues and hygiene issues
Longer-term projects
- Sites running for months rather than weeks
- Regular inspections or client visits
- Toilets must remain clean, accessible, and consistently serviced
As sites grow, expectations increase — even if the footprint stays the same.
Domestic vs commercial building sites
A common misunderstanding is that domestic sites don’t need toilets because the work is happening at someone’s home.
In reality:
- Domestic building sites still require welfare facilities
- Access to the house does not remove the need for a site toilet
- Clients often prefer trades not using household facilities
Commercial sites tend to have higher expectations, but the principle is the same: if people are working on site, toilet facilities are required.
What inspectors and councils usually expect
Inspectors generally focus on three things:
- Is a toilet available on site?
- Is it clean and usable?
- Is it appropriate for the size and duration of the job?
They are far less concerned with exact numbers on paper and far more interested in whether welfare provision is practical and maintained.
Regular servicing is key — a toilet that hasn’t been cleaned properly is effectively the same as not having one at all.
What happens if a site grows or overruns?
Very few building projects stay exactly as planned.
Workforces change. Trades overlap. Jobs run longer than expected.
The good news is:
- Toilets can be added during a project
- Units can be repositioned if site layout changes
- Hire periods can be extended easily
Builders don’t need to commit to everything upfront — flexibility is expected on live sites.
Common builder mistakes to avoid
- Leaving welfare until after work has started
- Assuming nearby facilities are “good enough”
- Not planning for additional trades joining later
- Letting servicing slip on longer jobs
Most problems aren’t about cost – they’re about timing and planning.
Part of the builders’ hub
This guide forms part of our builders’ hub for portable toilet hire.
Portable Toilet Hire for Builders
