A temporary power pole gives a job site metered electric before permanent service exists, usually a 200 amp panel mounted on a treated pole with a weatherproof meter base. Saint Paul Porta Pros coordinates delivery and placement so it lines up with your electrician's rough-in schedule. Most sites also need light towers running off the same feed.
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or spider box pole, feeds a construction trailer, tools, and lighting before the building has permanent power. It stands between the utility transformer and your site panel, holding a meter socket, breaker panel, and grounding rod. Most jobs run a 200 amp temporary power pole because it covers saws, compressors, and a couple of light tower rental units without tripping breakers. Saint Paul contractors typically pair the pole with a mobile office trailer so the trailer's HVAC and outlets draw off the same service. GFCI protection on construction circuits falls under OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), and your electrician will want that verified before final inspection. If the site also needs perimeter security, a temporary fence rental usually goes up the same week the pole is set.
Installation cost depends on amperage, pole height, and how far the run is from the transformer, so get a site-specific quote rather than a flat number. What we can tell you: a comparable delivery charge on other site equipment in Saint Paul runs in the range of $100 to $500 depending on distance and access, per our porta potty rental cost data, and pole jobs price out similarly once trenching and inspection fees are added. Budget for the pole rental itself, the electrician's labor to wire and inspect it, and any utility company fee for the temporary service drop. Saint Paul projects near West St. Paul, about 4.3 miles south, and Eagan, roughly 11.4 miles south, follow the same utility coordination steps, so timeline more than distance drives the cost. If your site also needs debris hauled during the same mobilization, a roll-off dumpster rental can be scheduled for the same delivery window to save a trip.
Placement has to balance three things: proximity to the utility transformer, clearance for delivery trucks, and distance from active work zones. A roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, and the same clearance rule of thumb applies to pole delivery vehicles, so keep that lane open on your site plan. Keep the pole away from excavation, away from vehicle traffic lanes, and clear of any temporary fence rental line so gates still swing. OSHA 1926.56(a) sets minimum illumination for work areas, which matters if the pole is also feeding your night lighting through a light tower rental unit. Barricades around the pole base should meet ANSI D6.1 per OSHA 1926.202. Most Saint Paul general contractors place the pole near the site entrance, close to where the mobile office trailer rental sits, so the run stays short and inspectors can access the meter easily. If you're also renting a storage container for tools, group it near the pole to keep the compound tight. For sites needing sanitation nearby too, see our construction site services page for how we bundle deliveries.
Most poles go up in a single day once the utility company approves the service location, though scheduling the inspection can add a few days. Saint Paul contractors should call ahead, since the utility and the city both need to sign off before the pole is energized. Coordinate timing with your construction site services provider.
Permit requirements vary by project and location within Saint Paul, so this needs confirming with the city and your electrician before the pole is ordered. Do not assume the pole falls under the same rules as a dumpster permit or a porta potty permit; check separately.
A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most residential and small commercial builds, handling tools, a trailer, and basic lighting. Larger commercial sites may need higher amperage. Talk with your electrician about total connected load before ordering.
Yes. Saint Paul Porta Pros can schedule the pole alongside temporary fencing, a storage container, or a mobile office trailer on one delivery run, which keeps mobilization simple for busy sites.
Yes. The grounding rod and meter base need inspection by the utility company or a licensed electrician before the pole is energized. This happens separately from any construction site services scheduling and should be built into your timeline early.
Yes. Saint Paul Porta Pros delivers temporary power pole across Saint Paul and the surrounding metro, with same-day and next-day drop-off available on most orders.
Pricing depends on the unit and how long you need it. See our cost breakdown and request a free quote for an exact figure.
Standard rentals include scheduled service — a pump-out, a clean, a restock and fresh deodorizer. Busy or hot-weather sites can be serviced more often.
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