What Is a Temporary Power Pole?
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a construction meter pole, is a freestanding pole with a meter base, breaker panel and outlets that gives a job site power before the utility runs permanent service. It sits between the utility line and your equipment, whether that's a mobile office trailer rental, a restroom trailer rental with electric flush, or saws and lifts on an active build. Plano contractors use them from the day ground breaks until permanent power gets inspected and turned on. Most poles run 100 amp or 200 amp service, with 200 amp covering larger trailers, multiple tool runs and site lighting at once. Installing a temporary power pole means setting the pole plumb, grounding it properly, and getting the utility to make the connection, which is why timing the order matters as much as picking the amperage. We coordinate delivery with your construction site services schedule so the pole is standing and ready before crews show up.
How Much Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost?
Temporary power pole installation cost depends on amperage, distance from the utility source, and how long you need it standing. Expect a delivery charge on top of the pole itself, and expect that charge to run higher for a single-day rush job than for a job planned weeks out. The table below reflects delivery pricing bands we see across the Plano market.
| service | duration | typical range |
|---|---|---|
| delivery_fee | day | $100 to $500 |
| delivery_fee | week | $50 to $150 |
| delivery_fee | month | $120 to $420 |
Pair the pole with a temporary fence rental around the meter base if the site has foot traffic, and budget separately for the utility company's own connection fee, which we do not set and cannot quote here.
Where Should a Temporary Power Pole Be Installed on a Construction Site?
Placement depends on where the utility can reach and where your trailers, handwashing station rental units and equipment will sit. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, which your electrician builds into the panel. Keep the pole clear of vehicle paths and away from a roll-off dumpster rental swing zone, since a loaded truck needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind it during delivery. OSHA 1926.56(a) sets minimum illumination for construction areas, so if the pole is also feeding a light tower, plan the run before crews start night work. A temporary power pole diagram from your electrician should show the ground rod, meter base height, and conduit path before the utility schedules the hookup. We've delivered poles from downtown Plano out toward Allen, 7.7 miles northeast, and Murphy, 10.5 miles east, so distance from our yard rarely holds up a schedule.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole in Plano?
Most Plano job sites need sign-off from the utility and the city before the pole gets energized, but exact permit steps vary by property and project type. Confirm requirements directly with the City of Plano before ordering. See our porta potty permit requirements page for how we handle permit questions on related equipment.
How long does temporary power pole installation take?
Once the pole is on site and grounded, the utility connection is usually the longest step, not the physical install. Order early: utilities schedule hookups on their own calendar, and a rushed order costs more, similar to how our porta potty rental per day rate runs higher than a weekly rate.
What size temporary power pole do I need?
A 200 amp pole covers most active construction sites running trailers, tools and lighting together. Smaller renovation jobs, like those on our home renovation porta potty page, may only need 100 amp. Talk through your equipment list before ordering so the electrician sizes it right the first time.
Can I rent a temporary power pole and a restroom trailer together?
Yes. We coordinate power pole delivery alongside restroom trailer rental and portable restroom rental drops so both arrive before your crew's first day. Ask about combined delivery scheduling when you request a quote.
Does OSHA require GFCI protection on the power pole circuit?
Yes. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction site circuits, and your electrician wires this into the panel at install. This applies alongside general sanitation rules like OSHA 1926.51(c) that govern toilet counts on the same site. Visit request a quote or contact to start planning your Plano site setup.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.