What is a temporary power pole?
It is a standalone pole, usually wood, with a meter can, breaker panel and outlets, set in the ground ahead of a building's permanent electrical service. Contractors use it to run saws, compressors, light towers and mobile office trailer rental units during the build. Most residential and light commercial jobs spec a 200 amp temporary power pole, though smaller jobs like a home renovation porta potty site sometimes run a lighter service. The pole itself doesn't get pumped or serviced like a septic pumping service job, but it does need inspection before the utility energizes it. Pair it with a temporary power pole setup early, before crews show up expecting outlets that don't exist yet. On active sites we're often delivering this alongside construction site services like fencing and toilets, so scheduling one visit for several needs saves time.
How does temporary power pole installation work?
Installation starts with a site visit to confirm where the utility company wants the pole relative to the property line and the future meter location. A licensed electrician sets the pole, wires the panel, and grounds it, then the local utility and building department both need to sign off before power flows. This isn't a DIY project. Sites in Delray Beach also need clearance for delivery trucks; a roll-off truck alone needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind it, and pole delivery trucks need similar room, so we check driveway and lot access before scheduling, the same way we do for construction dumpster rental drops. If your project also needs a roll-off dumpster rental, a chain link temporary fence, or a 20ft storage container, we can plan the layout together so trucks aren't fighting for the same fifteen feet of curb.
What are temporary power pole requirements in Delray Beach?
Requirements vary by job size, panel amperage and utility specs, and permit and placement rules differ by property, so confirming exact setback and inspection steps with the city and utility before pole delivery is the safer move than guessing. General jobsite standards still apply once power is live: OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, and OSHA 1926.51(a)(1) requires an adequate supply of potable water at the same site. If your crew is also handling paints, coatings or similar materials, OSHA 1926.51(f)(1) covers washing facilities for that specific exposure. None of that is optional once the pole is live and people are working around it, and it's worth reviewing our OSHA portable toilet requirements page for the rest of the sanitation rules that apply on the same site.
| item | day | week | month |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard toilet | 150 | 200 | 200 |
| dumpster | 75 | 600 | 108 |
| fence | 50 | -- | -- |
Renting a standard porta potty rental alongside the pole keeps the crew from driving off-site for a bathroom break, an ADA accessible porta potty covers crews needing that unit, and a temporary fence rental keeps the pole and panel away from foot traffic; check temporary fence cost for budgeting. For sites near Highland Beach, about 4.8 miles southeast of Delray Beach, or Gulf Stream, roughly 6.0 miles northeast, we run the same delivery routes and can bundle pole coordination with toilet and fence drops on one trip, and the same crews cover porta potty rental in Lake Worth Beach further north.
How much does a temporary power pole installation cost?
Cost depends on amperage, pole height, utility fees and how far the electrician has to run wire, and those vary enough by property that we don't quote a flat number here. Ask your electrician for a firm bid, then check our construction site services page, our dumpster rental cost page, and our porta potty rental cost page for what else a build typically needs.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Almost always, yes, but exact permit steps and fees are not something we can state without checking your specific address with Delray Beach. Confirm with the building department before the electrician sets the pole, since inspection often has to happen before energizing.
Can Delray Beach Porta Pros install the pole itself?
No. We handle toilets, storage container rental, 40ft storage container units, fencing, dumpsters and related site gear. Pole installation is electrical work and needs a licensed electrician. We can coordinate delivery timing with your electrician's schedule, though.
What amperage temporary power pole do I need?
Most residential builds run 200 amp service; larger commercial jobs may need more. Your electrician sizes the panel based on the tools and equipment running simultaneously on site, not on the pole itself.
How long can I rent a temporary power pole?
Typically for the duration of construction, until permanent service is connected and passes final inspection. Ask your electrician about swap timing so the pole comes down right when the permanent meter goes live, avoiding overlap fees, and see our porta potty rental checklist for other end-of-job items to schedule out.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.