A temporary power pole gives a construction site metered electricity before permanent utility service is connected, typically running 100 to 200 amps depending on load. Carmichael Porta Pros coordinates delivery and setup so your site has power for tools, trailers and lighting from day one. Pair it with temporary fencing and a light tower for a fully equipped jobsite, and check our porta potty rental cost page while you are budgeting the rest of the site.
Builders call it a temp pole, a spider box, or a construction power pole. It is a freestanding pole with a meter socket and breaker panel that lets the utility company energize a site before permanent wiring exists. Most Carmichael jobsites use one to run saws, compressors, and a mobile office trailer or storage container with lighting, sometimes alongside a 20ft storage container or 40ft storage container for tools. A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most single-family construction and remodel jobs, including a home renovation porta potty setup, while larger commercial builds like those needing a construction dumpster rental may need higher capacity. Every temp pole install has to route through GFCI protection under OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), which matters once you start running cords across a wet or muddy site. If your project also needs sanitation, a porta john rental or standard porta potty rental usually gets scheduled alongside the pole, and some crews add a handwashing station rental too, so both are ready for the same site walk.
Installation starts with a permit application and an electrical inspection before the utility will energize the pole, so plan for lead time. A licensed electrician sets the pole, wires the meter base and panel, and grounds it to code; Carmichael Porta Pros handles delivery and pole placement, coordinates timing with your electrician and the utility, and can bring a temporary fence rental or chain link temporary fence to secure the equipment while it sits on site. Site access matters here the same way it does for a roll-off: a roll-off dumpster rental needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, and a temp pole delivery benefits from similar clear approach so the pole sets without maneuvering around parked equipment. Good housekeeping around the pole area also keeps you compliant with OSHA 1926.25 debris clearance once construction starts, and pairing the pole with a roll-off dumpster rental or checking dumpster sizes and dimensions makes that easier to manage. Ask us for a temporary power pole diagram before your electrician finalizes the permit drawing, since utility companies often want exact panel and meter placement shown.
Installation cost depends on amperage, permit fees, and electrician labor, none of which we set. What we control is the pole rental and delivery. Below is a general reference range; get your city permit and electrician quote before locking a budget.
| item | typical range |
|---|---|
| pole rental (day) | check with our team |
| delivery fee | 100 to 500 |
| service fee (setup visit) | 100 to 300 |
Delivery fees for site equipment in Carmichael generally run in the 100 to 500 range depending on distance and access, similar to what we quote for dumpster rental cost, restroom trailer rental cost, or storage container rental cost. If your site sits further out, say near Fair Oaks 6.0 miles east or Gold River 6.1 miles east, mention that when you request a quote so we can route delivery efficiently.
Most residential builds run fine on 100 to 200 amps; commercial sites with heavier equipment may need more. Your electrician sizes the panel based on your load list. Talk to them before ordering, since the pole rental itself does not determine amperage, the panel and meter base do.
Permit rules vary by project and jurisdiction, so confirm requirements with the Carmichael building department before installation. We are not able to state specific permit fees or code sections here, so check directly rather than relying on assumptions. See our porta potty permit requirements or dumpster permit requirements pages for a sense of how we handle similar permit questions.
Once the electrician and utility schedule align, physical setup of the pole itself is usually quick. The longer lead time is permit approval and utility scheduling, not the pole delivery. Book early if your project has a firm start date.
No. The pole itself is just hardware; a licensed electrician has to wire it, ground it, and coordinate the utility connection. We deliver and place the pole, but the electrical work is a separate, required step.
Most sites also need toilets sized to worker count under OSHA 1926.51(c), a dumpster, and often fencing. Check our how many porta potties do I need guide, review OSHA portable toilet requirements, or browse construction site services for the full list Carmichael contractors typically order together.
Yes. Carmichael Porta Pros delivers temporary power pole across Carmichael and the surrounding metro, with same-day and next-day drop-off available on most orders.
Pricing depends on the unit and how long you need it. See our cost breakdown and request a free quote for an exact figure.
Standard rentals include scheduled service — a pump-out, a clean, a restock and fresh deodorizer. Busy or hot-weather sites can be serviced more often.
Call now or request a free quote — clean units, on-time delivery, transparent pricing.
