What We Learned From a Tough Week of Setups (And Why We Always Do a Site Visit)

Three Setups, Three Lessons

Some event setups are like a walk in the park, and others…are not. This week gave us three complicated setups to struggle through, as well as some very important lessons to learn.

The first site had a driveway that was way steeper than it looked in photos, as well as a basketball hoop to maneuver around on the way in. The client wanted it in a very specific part of the driveway, and so we did our best to get it there. Think Austin Powers in his little car! The steep driveway really challenged our leveling skills. As we left that setup, we knew that we would never again setup in a driveway that steep again!

The second site had provided photos showing a wide-open parking area next to a building that should have been a straight forward delivery and setup. When we arrived, there were cars and a few pallets of construction materials surrounding the tiny spot left open for us to park the restroom trailer in. Oh and also some weird exterior duct work to avoid hitting! So we had to once again Austin Powers it into a too tight for comfort spot! Angling the trailer into place took far longer than it should have, and left less room to work with than we'd want for any event. We left that site knowing that in the future, instead of struggling to get it in just the spot the client wanted, we should have a plan B spot in mind at each event site.

The third setup was early on a morning when the grass was still very wet with dew from overnight. The ground gave more than expected, our tires started sinking, and getting the trailer into the exact spot our client had envisioned just. wasn't. happening. We got it close, close enough that the day went beautifully, but it took more time and more effort than it needed to. Again, a plan B spot on the site could have provided a simpler setup experience.

None of these setups failed. Every event still had a gorgeous, fully functional En Suite waiting for guests. But we walked away from this week with total clarity on something we already suspected: the site matters as much as the trailer.

This is exactly why we do a site visit before every event.

My preference is to meet with clients on site, and discuss their ideal setup location. Sometimes bookings occur last minute, or the client can’t make time to meet up, so they send some detailed photos. A quick walkthrough, whether it’s me alone, or with a client, tells us everything we need to know. Is the ground level and firm? Is there a clear path wide enough for our truck and trailer to get in and back out? Is there a propane pig or basketball hoop in the way?! How far is the nearest water spigot or power outlet? Does the parking spot need to be roped off or coned off prior to my arrival to ensure enough space for the restroom trailer? Are there any surprises waiting to throw the setup into chaos? I want to know about them ahead of time so I can plan the safest, most efficient way to get the restroom trailer in the best spot.

Catching these details ahead of time means the day of setup is less stressful for me and the client. We aren’t bumping into surprises that cause profuse stress sweat, we are just delivering a beautiful En Suite parked exactly where it needs to be, and ready before your first guest arrives!

What We Now Ask Every Client to Consider

• Enough straight approach and turnaround space for our rig, which measures about 37 feet from truck bumper to trailer tail

• A clear, level path wide enough for our truck and trailer to maneuver in and out

• Firm, stable ground, especially if your event falls after a rainy stretch

• A water spigot and a dedicated power outlet within 100 feet, or let us know so we can bring a generator and freshwater tank instead

• Any tight turns, or obstacles along the delivery path

• Any low branches or overhead obstacles, we need at least 12 feet of overhead clearance for the trailer

• Trailer is 11 feet wide once the stairs are deployed

• Consider a Plan B spot at the event location that would work as well

  
  

If you're not sure whether your site checks these boxes, that's exactly what the site visit is for. We'd rather figure it out together, weeks before your event, than discover it with a truck already in your driveway.

Good Hospitality Starts With the Groundwork

Good hospitality starts before the first guest ever walks in the door. For us, that means getting the groundwork right, literally, so everything else can go exactly as planned.

Ready to see if your site is a fit? Reach out for a complimentary quote, and we'll set up a site visit before your event, no guesswork required.