I would approach it like this-

Ask the contractor if they pulled permits for this ‘bathroom’. I don’t know much about permits but I wouldn’t want your build legally compromised by this amusing use of your sewer line.

I'd feel bad for the guys working on the job. :-( Unless they really don't care, or prefer that to the port-a-potty....

Thanks Meggie and ODD! I dont want to bring it up with the contractor unless I need to. He’s really experienced and we both know the inspector will be out here soon, so I’m hoping he knows whether this is legit or not as a temporary bathroom. I really want this project finished without any drama.

ODD- they dont seem to mind! They seemed kind of proud of it! It was probably their idea!

ODD- they dont seem to mind! They seemed kind of proud of it! It was probably their idea!

I have a young son who always thinks, "I need THIS! I'm gonna build it MYSELF!!!" So, I'd let the guys have their fun. :-D

Besides, it's probably roomier than the standard port-a-potty. And better ventilated.

I think it's genius and applaud them. Id only be upset if they were using a toilet they planned on putting in my house afterwards.

Thanks ODD and flbq! LOL@ODD What a great kid!

@flbq My new toilet is still in the box in my house. LOL if that was my toilet in there, I would have been really upset!

Don't be bothered. Its funny and creative. Its like 5 star compared to a regular porta potty.

Wouldn't bother me. ha, pick your battles.

Looks like a vast improvement over a portapotty. If it makes the contractor's crew happy, I would be happy.

So, this may not be an issue, but is the cost of the portapotty included in contracts, or is it a cost borne by a GC? And either way, are they using your sewer fees? And, um, are they keeping it clear, and clean? I guess that doesn't affect you, but...

and btw, a plywood box is more attractive than a portapotty IMO.

My husband really cracked up at this. Pretty ingenious, but who is going to clean it? :-)

Pretty ingenious, but who is going to clean it? :-)

Hey, Rocky, you have a hose the guys could use? Preferably with a power nozzle....

Had an ugly portapotty on my property for far too long; this is much more attractive. Hope it has hand sanitizer in there.

Rocky said they did run a hose out there! If it's hooked up to the sewer, it needs a fresh water source for flushing.

Rocky said they did run a hose out there!

Well, then, cleaning worries are solved! :-)

Besides, I wouldn't worry about it, since they're all guys. I used to work in retail, and one of my "duties as assigned" was cleaning the restrooms (we were a small store)... The women's room was always worse than the men's room (with one exception, where someone obviously fell ill), and our employees and customer base were both over-represented by men.

It could be worse, they could have just planted a large bush.

See if you can obtain the copyright for the idea . . .

A flushing toilet for your workman. I want to work for you. Its more sanitary than a porta-potty.

Does it have one of these inside?

it's brilliant. and the fact that they are flushing makes it so much nicer - especially in the heat. If they had Virgil's shower, they could have a temp 3/4 bath out there!

We've had a portajohn so long I think I own it now. It's unpleasant. I have to use it periodically when I am there for a long time. I buy hand sanitizer by the gallon. This could actually be cleaned and sanitized (if they were to ever contemplate that - ha) but really - this will be nicer for YOU too - since the waste gets removed all the time and not once a week when the truck comes.

Yes, it would bother me- quite a lot, in fact:

This isn't cute nor genius. It happened without a homeowner's knowledge. In my area, using plumbing without final plumbing approval/inspection from the City is a violation except in tight testing.

And really? Build isn't done, sewer lines yet to go through their final paces? What if something goes wrong- back up, whatever. Who pays for that? And are you prepared for the possible mess?

If this were an agreement from the beginning, I'd say caveat emptor and go for it. But it wasn't.

It's unpleasant. I have to use it periodically when I am there for a long time. I buy hand sanitizer by the gallon.

I am so lucky the model home is right around the corner. As long as I'm there between 10-4 PM, I'm good. Now if someone buys the model before we're in the house, I'm out of luck.

Thanks for all the comments! I'm glad no one else is bothered by it. I guess we could add Virgil's shower and have a fully functioning suite!

Laurie - that is a good point and why it bothered me to see. No one asked me! I also wondered if something could go wrong, but I dont think much can? At least the line is getting used before it's hooked up so we know it's working?

I know they didn't ask to build it, but going to the bathroom is a basic need, and figuring out a comfortable, creative solution is a win-win for everyone. :-)

I wouldn't worry too much about the "what ifs..." because how issues are resolved speaks volumes about the leadership/employees. Rocky, from what you've posted, you have a great team. I'd trust them.

And I'd compliment them on the ingenuity of the potty. :-D

Seems like a good use of available roughed in utilities!

I just had a bathroom remodeled (last of 5) and told the GC not to bother with a port-a-potty. The GC and his helper do all the work themselves and I had no problem with them using the powder room.

Hey the guys got to go somewhere. When our last house was being built our back yard was private. They watered the dirt until we got a functioning bathroom in the house. I have no problem having workmen using my bathroom. It isn't a sacred shrine. We had 48 trees cut and ground out of current home and had at least 20 girls and guy workers for 3 days. We have a bathroom right inside the garage and told them it was theirs to use. I just put in a big roll of paper towels in it. Also gave them use of the garage fridge and also stock it with water for them. One of the first things I tell workers is where the bathrooms are and to feel free to use them.

This would have been a vast improvement over my builder's idea during our home build. He was too cheap to bring in a porta-potty, so the workers would use 5 - gallon buckets on our wooded lot. When our house was finally completed months after the original deadline, we discovered these buckets of treats in the woods one day. Needless to say, we weren't impressed. The builder finally retrieved them from our property.

OMG annied75 - buckets in the woods! What a cheapskate builder!

It's been a few years ago, so I can finally laugh about our "highly recommended" builder.

The GC is just trying to put more money in their pockets.......period!!!

I think it's ingenious. As long as they flush and have hand sanitizer.

Laurie - the build is an addition to a house with working sewers.

I would pretend I didn't even notice it! Who cares? You said it all when you said your GC was very experienced. Let him save a nickel!!

Wish I'd thought of it.

And wait, I just re-read that they use the hose to fill up the toilet so it flushes? Ingenious!

Is that pipe going up the back the vent stack?