What Is a Temporary Power Pole Used For?
A temporary power pole gives a job site electricity before the building has its own permanent service. Framers, electricians and concrete crews need power for saws, lighting and pumps, and a temp pole is the bridge between an empty lot and a finished panel. It houses a meter base, a breaker panel and outlets, all mounted to a treated wood pole or a freestanding steel frame set in the ground. Pair it with a light tower rental for early morning or winter jobs when daylight runs short, since Davis job sites still need to meet OSHA 1926.56(a) lighting intensity minimums even on a temporary setup. Most contractors coordinate the pole delivery with other early-phase deliveries, like a construction dumpster rental or a run of temporary fence rental around the perimeter. Planning the pole location early avoids a second trip once concrete or fencing is already in.
How Much Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost?
Installation cost depends on amperage, distance from the utility transformer, and whether an electrician pulls a separate permit. A 200 amp temporary power pole install typically runs more than a 100 amp setup, since larger service needs heavier wire and a bigger panel. Davis Porta Pros does not sell or install the poles directly, but we route the request to electricians we coordinate with on job sites, and we can bundle the delivery timing with a temporary fence cost quote or a dumpster rental cost estimate so everything lands on-site the same week.
| item | typical range |
|---|---|
| service_fee, day rate | 100 to 300 |
| delivery_fee, day rate | 100 to 500 |
| delivery_fee, week rate | 50 to 150 |
These figures cover coordination and delivery-adjacent fees on our end, not the electrician's labor or the utility company's connection charge, which varies by transformer distance and panel size.
Where Should a Temporary Power Pole Be Installed on a Construction Site?
Placement follows the same logic as porta potty placement: close enough to the work, clear of the excavation, and out of the path of trucks. A roll-off truck needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind it for delivery, so keep the pole clear of that swing path if a 10 yard dumpster rental or 20 yard dumpster rental shares the same lot. Most temporary power pole diagrams show the pole set back from the property line, grounded to code, and positioned where the utility's overhead or underground service line can reach it without crossing active work areas. If the site also needs GFCI-protected circuits per OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), that requirement applies to the temporary panel just as it would a permanent one. Sites in El Macero, 4.5 miles east of Davis, and out toward Dixon, 10.5 miles southwest, follow the same placement rules since the utility territory doesn't change the electrical code.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole in Davis?
Permit requirements for temporary power poles are not something we track directly, since electrical permits fall under the city's building department, separate from our sanitation and dumpster permits. Confirm requirements with the City of Davis before scheduling the utility connection. Ask your electrician to pull the permit alongside the panel install.
How long does a temporary power pole stay on site?
It stays up until permanent power is connected, which can be weeks or months depending on the build schedule. Many contractors keep it through framing and drywall, then have the electrician disconnect it once the main panel passes inspection.
Can Davis Porta Pros install the power pole itself?
No. We coordinate delivery timing and site logistics around your other rentals, like construction site services and temporary fencing, but the pole itself is installed by a licensed electrician.
What amperage do most construction sites need?
Most residential and small commercial jobs use a 200 amp temporary power pole. Larger commercial builds may need higher amperage; your electrician sizes it based on the tools and equipment running simultaneously on site.
Does the power pole need to be inspected?
Yes, typically by the utility company and the city's electrical inspector before it's energized. Schedule that inspection early since it can affect when other trades, like those needing a mobile office trailer rental, can start work.
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