What is a temporary power pole?
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or construction meter pole, is a freestanding pole with a meter base and breaker panel that gives a job site power before permanent utility service is run. Most Pensacola contractors pair one with a construction site services setup that also includes a standard porta potty rental and a lockable storage container rental for tools. The pole itself is an electrical contractor's job, not ours, but we get asked about it constantly because it shows up on the same site plan as our equipment. Placement matters: your electrician and the local utility will want clearance around the pole similar to how we plan around a roll-off dumpster rental, which needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the delivery truck. If your site also needs lighting after dark, a light tower rental usually gets scheduled at the same time as the power pole install so both are live before crews show up.
How much does temporary power pole installation cost?
Temporary power pole installation cost varies by amperage, distance to the utility connection, and whether an inspection is required, and that's a question for a licensed electrician, not a portable sanitation company. What we can tell you is how it fits into a broader site budget. A typical construction job in Pensacola also rents a porta john rental unit, a dumpster, and sometimes a temporary fence rental around the pole and panel for safety. Here's what those adjacent rentals run:
| item | duration | typical price |
|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty | week | $200 |
| dumpster | week | $600 |
| temp fence | day | $50 |
| delivery fee | day | $150 |
Check current numbers on porta potty rental cost and dumpster rental cost before you finalize a bid.
What are the OSHA requirements for a construction site with a temporary power pole?
OSHA doesn't regulate the power pole itself under the sanitation rules we follow, but it does regulate everything else running on that site. Under OSHA 1926.51(c), a job with 20 or fewer workers needs at least one toilet facility, and the ratio increases as headcount grows. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, which is exactly the kind of thing your electrician handles when wiring off the temp pole. OSHA 1926.51(a)(1) also requires an adequate supply of potable water at the site, which is why crews near a power pole install often add a unit from our handwashing station rental lineup nearby. If you're not sure how many toilets your crew size requires, how many porta potties do I need walks through the math, and OSHA portable toilet requirements covers the full ratio table.
How long does a temporary power pole installation take?
Timing depends on your electrician's schedule and the utility's inspection queue, not on us, so ask your electrical contractor directly. What we can promise is fast turnaround on the sanitation side: most portable toilet rental orders in Pensacola get delivered within a day or two of booking.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Likely yes, but permit rules differ by jurisdiction and this needs confirming with the City of Pensacola directly. The same goes for placing equipment in the right of way. See porta potty permit requirements for how that question applies to our side of a job site.
Can Pensacola Porta Pros install my temporary power pole?
No. We handle portable restroom rental, dumpsters, storage, fencing and septic work, not electrical installation. Call a licensed electrician for the pole itself, then reach out to us for everything else the crew needs on site.
What size temp pole do I need for a construction site?
That depends on total electrical load, which your electrician calculates from the equipment running on site. A 200 amp pole covers many single-trailer jobs. Pair that conversation with sizing your construction dumpster rental and toilet count at the same time.
Where can I see a temporary power pole diagram?
Your electrical contractor or the utility company can provide an installation diagram specific to your meter base and panel setup. We don't provide electrical diagrams, but we can walk your site alongside theirs when planning where the emergency porta potty rental unit and dumpster will sit, whether your job is near Goulding 2.8 miles west or out toward Ferry Pass 7.6 miles north.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.