Why we don't publish a price list
Two poles on the same street can be very different jobs. One is a hardwood swap in sandy soil with the truck parked beside it. The other is in Kariong sandstone, in the back corner of the block, with a corroded service line and a road to manage. Publishing a single number would mislead one of those owners. Instead we inspect, then give a fixed, detailed quote that does not move unless you change the scope.
| Scenario | Relative cost |
|---|---|
| Hardwood pole, like for like, clear access | Simplest and lowest |
| Steel pole, like for like | More than hardwood |
| New pole install, acreage block, longer run | Highest of the three |
| Add: service line renewal at the same time | Adds to any of the above, but cheaper than a second visit |
| Add: rock breaking for the footing | Adds time on site |
| Add: traffic control (street-facing pole) | Regulatory requirement, adds to the job |
What moves the price
- Pole material and height. Steel costs more than hardwood but lasts longer and suits bushfire-prone land. 11m poles cost more than 8.5m.
- Ground. A footing in sandy soil takes an hour. A footing in Kariong sandstone can take half a day with a breaker.
- Access. The pole truck needs to get close. Tight side passages, steep driveways or a pole in the back corner of the block add time or need a different method.
- The service line. If the cable from the street is corroded or undersized, replacing it while the line is down is far cheaper than a second visit. We will tell you if we think it should go.
- Traffic control. If the work is over or beside a road, it is a regulatory requirement.
- Urgency. A same-day storm callout costs more than a booked job. A defect notice with a normal deadline does not.
What a proper quote includes
If you are comparing quotes, check each one covers all of this. A low number that skips items is not cheaper.
- Supply of the pole, brackets, insulators and hardware
- Excavation and footing
- Removal and disposal of the old pole
- Transfer of the existing service line, or renewal if quoted
- Ausgrid Notification of Service Work and energisation request
- Testing and the CCEW certificate
- Site clean-up and reinstatement
Is it worth waiting?
No. A pole does not get cheaper to replace as it deteriorates, and a pole that fails in a storm becomes an emergency job with a temporary supply, an after-hours rate and a bigger bill. If it has been tagged or you can see it going, book it. Details on the pole replacement page.
