What Is a Temporary Power Pole?
It's a standalone pole, usually wood, with a meter base and breaker panel mounted on it, set in the ground near where the utility line can reach it. The pole gives the electric company something to hook into before a permanent structure exists. Most construction sites need this before a foundation goes in, because there's nowhere else to land the meter. A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most residential and light commercial builds, running saws, compressors, light towers and site trailers without tripping breakers constantly. Bigger commercial jobs sometimes need more capacity, and that gets sized by an electrician, not guessed at, the same way a 4 stall restroom trailer gets sized to crew count instead of guessed at. If you're already renting a mobile office trailer or a storage container for the site, the power pole usually goes in near that cluster of equipment so cords don't have to run across the whole lot. Southaven Porta Pros handles the logistics side, whether that's a pole, a chain link temporary fence, or an ADA accessible porta potty for the same site. An electrician still has to do the actual wiring and inspection.
How Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Work?
Installing a temporary power pole starts with a call to the utility company to confirm where they can bring service to your Southaven site. A licensed electrician sets the pole, wires the meter base and panel, and schedules inspection. Once that passes, the utility connects power. This whole sequence usually takes a coordinated effort between the electrician, the inspector and the utility, and timing depends on how backed up each of those is, much like scheduling an emergency porta potty rental around a tight start date. Southaven sits close enough to Horn Lake, roughly 5.6 miles west, and Hernando, about 8.7 miles south, and out to Olive Branch, about 9.2 miles east, that we can shuttle equipment between job sites without losing a day. While the pole is going in, most sites also need portable toilets for the crew, since OSHA 1926.51(c) requires toilet facilities on construction sites, one per 20 workers or fewer. We deliver both around the same schedule, along with a handwashing station rental if your crew needs one, so nothing holds up your start date.
What Does a Temporary Power Pole Cost?
Cost depends on pole rental, electrician labor, inspection fees and utility connection charges, and those last three vary by job; for a breakdown of sanitation costs specifically, see porta potty rental cost. Southaven Porta Pros handles the pole rental and delivery piece of that puzzle.
| item | day | week | month |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty (for crew) | $100 to $350 | $130 to $500 | $125 to $325 |
| delivery fee | $100 to $500 | $100 to $150 | $120 to $420 |
| dumpster (for site debris) | $51 to $112 | $426 to $778 | $500 |
These numbers cover sanitation and debris equipment we rent directly. Pole and electrical costs run through your electrician and the utility company, so ask them for that portion. Most builders bundle the construction site services they need together: power, a roll-off dumpster, and a standard porta potty rental or two, and stagger the deliveries so the lot isn't cluttered. If your project also needs fencing, a temporary fence rental around the pole and panel keeps foot traffic and theft risk down. For sites with more workers, check how many porta potties do I need before you order, since the OSHA ratio changes at 20 and again at 200 workers, and review the full OSHA portable toilet requirements if you're planning staffing levels early.
How long does a temporary power pole rental last?
Rental length matches your build timeline, from a few weeks to several months. Most residential builds in Southaven keep the pole up through framing and rough electrical, then transition to permanent service once the panel's ready. Ask your electrician for a realistic timeline before you book, and if the build stretches on, look at a monthly porta potty rental instead of paying by the day.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Likely yes, but permit rules vary and need confirming with the city directly. Southaven Porta Pros doesn't pull electrical permits. Check with your electrician or the building department before the pole goes in, since inspection has to pass before the utility connects service.
What size temporary power pole do I need?
A 200 amp pole handles most residential and light commercial jobs, covering tools, trailers and lighting equipment. Larger commercial sites sometimes need higher capacity. An electrician sizes this based on your equipment load, not a general rule of thumb.
Can I rent a power pole without an electrician?
No. The pole itself is just hardware. Someone licensed has to wire the meter base and panel, and it has to pass inspection before the utility connects power. Southaven Porta Pros can coordinate delivery, but the electrical work needs a licensed pro.
What else does my job site need besides power?
Most sites also need toilets, a dumpster and sometimes fencing. Southaven Porta Pros delivers portable restroom rental, handwashing station rental, a 20 yard dumpster rental and temporary fence rental on the same schedule as your power pole setup, so the site's ready when crews show up.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.