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What is a temporary power pole and why does a construction site need one?
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or spider box on a pole, is a freestanding structure with a meter base, panel and outlets that gives a job site power before permanent utility service exists. Contractors building a home or commercial shell in Spokane run tools, light towers, and trailer hookups off one. Sizing runs from smaller 100 amp setups up to a 200 amp temporary power pole for larger sites with multiple trades pulling load at once. The utility company and the electrical inspector both have to sign off before it's energized, and that inspection step is separate from anything Spokane Porta Pros provides. We show up for the portable toilet, the fencing, and the dumpster, not the wiring.
How much does temporary power pole installation cost?
Installation cost depends on amperage, meter base type, and how far the pole sits from the point of utility connection, and that pricing comes from a licensed electrician, not from Spokane Porta Pros. What we can speak to is the site services budget around it. A standard porta potty runs in the range below, and a lot of crews pair one with the power pole delivery so both land the same morning.
| service | duration | typical price range |
|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty | day | $100 to $350 |
| standard porta potty | week | $130 to $500 |
| standard porta potty | month | $125 to $325 |
| temporary fence panel | day | $30 to $75 |
If the pole and panel sit inside a fenced laydown yard, temporary fencing or crowd control barrier keeps foot traffic clear of the meter base, which most inspectors want to see anyway.
Where should a temporary power pole go on a construction site?
Placement matters more than most first-time GCs expect. The pole needs a clear, stable approach for the utility crew and enough separation from trenching, dumpster staging, and vehicle turnaround. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) covers ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, which your electrician will wire into the panel regardless of where the pole sits, but good placement makes GFCI circuits easier to run to trailers and tool stations. If a roll-off dumpster is also coming, remember a roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, so plan the pole location before the dumpster spot, not after. Keep OSHA 1926.25 housekeeping in mind too: cords, panels and debris in the same footprint is how a site turns an inspection into a punch list. Our construction site services page covers how we sequence toilets, fencing and dumpsters around utility work like this across Spokane job sites.
Does Spokane Porta Pros install the power pole itself?
No. We rent and service portable sanitation, fencing, dumpsters, storage and light towers. A licensed electrician handles the temporary power pole installation, the utility connection, and the inspection. What we do is make sure the portable restroom, handwashing station, and site fencing are staged so they don't conflict with the electrical work, and we can deliver same-day in a lot of cases if the pole and the sanitation both need to land before crews mobilize.
How many amps does a typical construction temporary power pole need?
It depends on the trades and equipment on site. Small residential jobs sometimes run on 100 amp service, while larger commercial builds with multiple tool circuits often need a 200 amp temporary power pole. Your electrician sizes it against your load list, not a general rule.
What OSHA rule covers restrooms on the same site as a temporary power pole?
OSHA 1926.51(c) sets toilet counts by crew size: one facility for 20 workers or fewer, then additional seats as headcount climbs. See our OSHA portable toilet requirements page for the full breakdown by crew size.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole in Spokane?
Utility and electrical permitting for a temporary power pole needs confirming directly with the city and the serving utility, since requirements vary by jurisdiction and panel size. Check our porta potty permit requirements page for how we handle permitting questions on the sanitation side.
Can I get a temporary power pole diagram from Spokane Porta Pros?
Not from us. Pole diagrams and meter base layouts come from your electrician or the utility company, since they're tied to code requirements we don't handle. We can send you a site layout showing where we'd stage toilets, fencing and dumpsters around your pole location.
How far in advance should I schedule the power pole and site services?
Electrical permitting and inspection scheduling often takes longer than sanitation delivery, so book the pole first. Once you have a target energize date, request a quote for toilets, fencing or a dumpster timed to the same week, whether your site is in Spokane proper or out toward Cheney or Mead.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.