What Is a Temporary Power Pole?
It is a freestanding pole, usually wood, with a meter socket, breaker panel and outlets mounted at a fixed height, wired to feed a construction site before the building has its own service drop. Clovis Porta Pros sets these up as part of a broader construction site services package, timed around dumpster swaps and temporary fencing so the whole lot is ready on day one, with a storage container rental often dropped the same week for tools and materials. Most sites spec a 200 amp temporary power pole because it covers a full crew running saws, compressors and a light tower at once without tripping breakers. Smaller remodels sometimes get by with 100 amp service, but 200 amp is the common ask for anything beyond a single-trade job, similar to how a mobile office trailer rental gets sized to crew count. Every circuit needs GFCI protection under OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), which matters on a wet site or during Clovis winters when cords sit in puddles. We also stage handwashing near the panel since crews wash up after touching treated lumber or running equipment, something worth planning alongside a handwashing station rental or a portable sink rental rather than bolting on later.
Installing Temporary Power Pole: What Does It Take?
Temporary power pole installation starts with a utility application, a pole set in a footing deep enough to stay plumb under wind load, and a rough or final inspection depending on the jurisdiction. The utility company controls the timeline more than we do; some Clovis applications clear in a week, others take longer depending on transformer capacity nearby, similar to how porta potty permit requirements vary from one job site to the next. Placement in the public right of way needs confirming with the City of Clovis before the pole goes in, since we were not able to verify a specific ordinance for this page, the same gap we flag on our dumpster permit requirements page. Good lighting matters during installation and after: OSHA 1926.56(a) sets minimum illumination levels for active construction areas, and a poorly lit panel is a hazard at dusk. Housekeeping around the base counts too, per OSHA 1926.25, so debris from a nearby roll-off dumpster rental shouldn't pile up against the pole footing, and material that can't go in that bin belongs on our what cannot go in a dumpster list. If you are staging a whole site, our porta potty placement guide covers how we sequence power, fencing and restrooms so nothing blocks access for the utility crew.
Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost: What Should I Expect?
Cost depends on amperage, pole height, meter socket type and how far the utility has to run service to reach it. We don't publish flat installation pricing here because every utility connection is priced by that provider, not by us, but we coordinate the pole rental and site prep as part of your construction site services package, right alongside crowd and access control from a temporary fence rental. Below is how sanitation and dumpster costs typically compare for the same job, since power poles rarely go up alone:
| item | daily | weekly | monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty | $100-$350 | $130-$500 | $125-$325 |
| roll-off dumpster | $51-$112 | $426-$778 | $500 |
| temporary fence panel | $30-$75 | - | - |
Check current numbers on our porta potty rental cost, dumpster rental cost and temporary fence cost pages before you budget a full mobilization for a Clovis site.
How long does a temporary power pole stay up?
It stays until permanent service is connected, which on most Clovis builds runs from a few weeks to several months. Some crews near Tarpey Village, about 3.3 miles south, keep one up through an entire framing phase, the kind of timeline covered in our how many porta potties do I need guide too.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Yes, in most cases, through the utility and often the city. Confirm requirements with the City of Clovis directly since permit rules vary by project and we have not verified a specific fee or code here, much like the gap noted on our dumpster permit requirements page.
What amperage do I need for a construction site?
A 200 amp temporary power pole for construction site work covers most general contracting jobs with saws, compressors and lighting running together. Smaller remodel jobs sometimes only need 100 amp; ask your electrician to size it.
Can I rent a light tower with the power pole?
Yes. Pairing a light tower rental with your temporary power pole is common on Clovis sites running early mornings or winter shifts when daylight is short.
Where can I see a temporary power pole diagram?
Your electrician or the utility company provides the diagram specific to your amperage and meter type. We coordinate delivery and site placement once that diagram is approved, alongside services listed on our service areas page and our porta potty rental offerings for the same build.
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