What is a temporary power pole?
It is a standalone pole, set in the ground near your site, carrying a meter base, breaker panel and outlets so the utility can energize your job before the building has permanent electrical service. Crews use it to run saws, lighting, pumps and trailers. Most construction jobs in Compton pair it with a light tower rental for night work and a mobile office trailer rental for the site office. The pole itself does not include site sanitation. That is a separate line: a standard porta potty rental or an ADA accessible porta potty if the crew count calls for it under OSHA 1926.51(c)(1). We often deliver both on the same truck run to save you a second site visit and a second delivery fee.
How much does temporary power pole installation cost?
Installation cost depends on amperage, pole height and how far the utility connection point sits from your panel location. A 200 amp temporary power pole is the common size for a mid-sized job trailer, light towers and a few tool circuits running at once. Pricing on the pole itself sits outside our measured rental bands, since it is tied to your utility's connection fee and inspection schedule, not a flat day or week rate. What we can quote directly is everything around it: a dumpster rental cost for site debris, a temporary fence cost to secure the pole and panel, and a porta potty rental cost for crew sanitation. Bundling those with your power pole order is the fastest way to get one delivery date instead of three.
| service | duration | typical price |
|---|---|---|
| standard toilet | week | $200 |
| 10 yard dumpster | week | $600 |
| fence panel | day | $50 |
| delivery fee | day | $150 |
Where should a temporary power pole go on a construction site?
Placement follows the same logic as a porta potty placement guide: close enough to the work for cord runs, clear of vehicle paths, and inside the fenced perimeter defined by your chain link temporary fence or crowd control barrier rental. A roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, and your power pole location should not block that path if a roll-off dumpster rental is coming to the same site. Ground fault circuit interrupter protection under OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) is standard on construction power, and your electrician will confirm the pole meets it before the panel gets energized. Keep the pole away from foot traffic near your portable restroom rental and any handwashing station rental units, since those get the heaviest daily use on site.
Compton sites often run power, sanitation and dumpsters together on one job. If your crew works near East Rancho Dominguez, 2.2 miles east of Compton, or Willowbrook, 2.5 miles north, we run the same delivery truck through both stops without an extra trip charge. West Rancho Dominguez sits 3.0 miles west and gets the same service window. For a full breakdown of what a crew of a given size needs on toilets, fencing and power together, see our how many porta potties do I need guide or check OSHA portable toilet requirements directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole in Compton?
Permit rules for temporary power vary by job and utility territory, and this needs confirming directly with the city before your pole goes in. We do not guess on permit numbers. For toilet and dumpster placement permits on the same site, see dumpster permit requirements and porta potty permit requirements.
How many amps does a construction site need?
A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most mid-sized jobs running a trailer, lighting and hand tools. Larger sites with heavier equipment need a higher amperage pole, sized by your electrician against actual load, not a flat rule.
Can Compton Porta Pros deliver power poles and porta potties together?
Yes. We schedule pole, toilet and dumpster deliveries on one truck run when the site allows it. That keeps your temporary fence rental install, sanitation, and power hookup on the same day.
What is a temporary power pole diagram used for?
It shows your electrician and inspector exactly how the meter, panel and grounding connect before the utility energizes the pole. Every jurisdiction wants this reviewed before power goes live on a job site.
How long can I rent a temporary power pole?
Most construction jobs keep temporary power for the full build, from groundbreaking through permanent service connection. Coordinate the pole timeline with your construction dumpster rental schedule so both come down around the same milestone.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.