Last updated
What Is a Temporary Power Pole?
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or spider box on a stick, is a metered post that gives a construction crew power before the building has its own panel. The utility company runs a line to the pole, an electrician wires it, and the site gets outlets for saws, lights and pumps, much like a standard porta potty rental gets scheduled once the crew is on site. Most Savannah builders pair this with a light tower rental for early morning or after-dark work, since job trailers and framing crews need both power and visibility at the same time. If you are also setting up a jobsite office, look at a mobile office trailer rental that can run off the same feed. Placement matters: the pole needs a clear, stable spot near the point of utility connection, similar to how ADA Standards section 302.1 requires stable, firm, slip-resistant ground for accessible routes on a site. A licensed electrician sets the panel; Savannah Porta Pros handles delivery and pickup of the pole itself, not the wiring, the same way we handle drop-off for a porta john rental or an ADA accessible porta potty.
How Much Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost?
Cost depends on amperage, how far the pole sits from the utility connection point, and whether an electrician needs to pull a permit before the utility will energize it. Expect a base delivery charge plus the electrician's hookup fee, which is billed separately from equipment rental. Below is a general breakdown of what tends to move the price, and the same distance-and-duration logic shows up on our monthly porta potty rental and porta potty rental per day pages.
| Factor | Typical impact |
|---|---|
| 200 amp vs smaller service | Higher amperage costs more to rent and wire |
| Distance from utility line | Longer runs mean more cable and labor |
| Permit and inspection | Adds time and a separate municipal fee |
| Rental duration | Monthly terms cost less per day than short jobs, similar to how a 20ft storage container or 40ft storage container prices out |
For the rest of your site budget, a dumpster rental cost page and a porta potty rental cost page break down the other line items most Savannah contractors plan for at the same time.
Why Do Construction Sites Need a Temporary Power Pole?
Most job sites cannot legally run permanent power until the structure passes inspection, so a temporary power pole for construction site use bridges that gap. Crews need it for saws, compressors, lighting and pumps well before the meter base goes in, the same window when a dumpster permit requirements check or a porta potty permit requirements check happens. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, and a temp pole set up correctly gives your electrician a clean point to build that protection into, worth reviewing alongside our OSHA portable toilet requirements page for the rest of the site. Pair the pole with temporary fence rental around the panel and disconnect, since OSHA 1926.202 calls for barricades that meet ANSI D6.1 around hazards workers might not see at night. Sites near Garden City, about 7.5 miles north of Savannah, and Pooler, roughly 14.7 miles northwest, follow the same setup pattern: utility approval, electrician wiring, then energize. Keep the area around the pole clear of debris too; OSHA 1926.25 requires scrap and debris cleared from work areas, and a cluttered pole base is a common inspection flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does temporary power pole installation take?
Once the utility approves the connection, an electrician can usually wire and set a temp pole in a single day, about the same lead time as our emergency porta potty rental service. The longer wait is usually permit review, not the physical install. Savannah Porta Pros delivers the pole itself on your schedule, separate from the electrical hookup timeline.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Most jurisdictions require an electrical permit before the utility will energize a temp pole, but exact rules vary by project and address. Confirm requirements directly with the city before ordering; permit rules are not something to guess on a live electrical job.
What size temporary power pole do I need?
A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most home builds and light commercial jobs. Larger commercial sites with heavy equipment may need a bigger service, the way a 10 yard dumpster rental versus a 30 yard dumpster rental scales with the job. Your electrician sizes it based on the tools and trailers running off the pole.
Can I rent a temporary power pole with other site equipment?
Yes. Savannah Porta Pros delivers temp poles alongside roll-off dumpster rental, temporary fence rental and portable restroom rental orders, which simplifies scheduling for one job site, and pairs well with a handwashing station rental or temporary fence cost quote in the same order.
Does a temporary power pole diagram show wiring details?
A basic diagram shows the pole, meter base, disconnect and panel layout, but your electrician should confirm wiring against current code before energizing. Ask your electrical contractor for a site-specific diagram rather than relying on a generic drawing, and check our service areas page or request a quote page when you are ready to schedule delivery.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.