From Temporary Builders Supply to Permanent Connection: An Inner West Builder's Guide

How do you move from a temporary builders supply to a permanent connection? Plan the permanent meter position, consumer mains route and connection application before the temporary supply goes in, then switch over once the permanent switchboard is ready, the meter is booked and the retail account is in the owner's name. Builders who plan both at the start avoid the most common Inner West delay: a finished home with no permanent power at handover.

⚡ Quick Answers: Builders Supply to Permanent Power

• What's a builders supply? A temporary metered pole or board with RCD-protected outlets for construction.
• Who connects it? A Level 2 ASP, after network approval.
• When to plan permanent power? Before the temporary supply goes in.
• How long is the switchover? Usually a day, if applications are lodged well ahead.
• Who installs the permanent meter? The retailer's metering provider.
• Most common delay? Late connection applications and meter bookings.

1. What a temporary builders supply is

A temporary builders supply gives trades safe, metered power during demolition and construction. It's usually a builders pole or temporary switchboard with RCD-protected outlets, fed from the street by a Level 2 ASP after Ausgrid approves the connection. On Inner West sites with tight frontages, it has to be positioned so it's safe from vehicles and excavation, accessible for the meter, and clear of where the permanent works will go. Our older guide to how temporary builders supply keeps your site running covers the basics.

2. Plan the permanent connection at the same time

The best time to decide where the permanent meter, main switchboard and consumer mains will go is before the temporary pole is installed. That lets the ASP place the temporary supply so it doesn't sit where the permanent trench, footing or meter box needs to be. On some builds, the permanent connection point or pillar can be installed early and used to feed the temporary board, which saves a second network connection later.

3. The typical sequence

1. Design: load calculation, permanent meter position and consumer mains route on the plans.
2. Temporary connection application: lodged with Ausgrid by the Level 2 ASP.
3. Temporary supply installed: builders pole or board, meter fitted, retail account set up (often in the builder's name).
4. Permanent works: conduits and consumer mains installed during the build, permanent switchboard fitted.
5. Permanent connection application and meter booking: lodged weeks before handover.
6. Switchover: the ASP connects the permanent consumer mains, the metering provider fits the permanent meter, and the temporary supply is disconnected and removed.
7. Certification: Notification of Service Work and Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work.

4. Common hold-ups and how to avoid them

• Late applications: lodge the permanent connection application and meter booking well before practical completion.
• Wrong meter position: the meter must be accessible and not enclosed by fences, gates or later works.
• Retail account gaps: set up the owner's permanent account before handover.
• Undersized supply: check whether single-phase is enough for an all-electric home with EV charging, or whether three-phase is needed.
• Damaged temporary supply: keep the builders pole protected from machinery and trenching.

5. Duplexes, granny flats and multi-dwelling sites

On duplex and multi-dwelling builds, each dwelling's permanent supply and meter position needs to be planned from the start, especially if the lots will be subdivided. Our guide to electrical connections for duplexes and granny flats explains the options. For larger buildings, the supply may need current transformer metering or network augmentation, which takes longer, so start earlier.

How High Demand Electrical helps

We're a Level 2 ASP team (Licence 397193C) working with Inner West builders and owner builders. We install the temporary builders supply, plan and install the permanent consumer mains and switchboard, lodge both Ausgrid applications, coordinate the metering provider and handle the switchover so handover isn't held up by power.

Builders Supply to Permanent Connection FAQs (Inner West)

What is a temporary builders supply?

It's a temporary metered power supply for a construction site, usually a builders pole or board with RCD-protected outlets, connected to the network by a Level 2 ASP so trades have power during the build.

When should the permanent connection be planned?

Before the temporary supply goes in. Knowing the permanent meter position and cable route early means the temporary supply can be placed so it doesn't block the permanent works, and sometimes the permanent connection point can be used from the start.

How long does the switch to permanent power take?

The switchover itself is usually done in a day, but the connection application and meter installation should be lodged weeks ahead so they don't delay handover.

Who organises the permanent meter?

The owner or builder arranges a retailer for the permanent supply, and the retailer's metering provider installs the meter once the Level 2 ASP has completed the connection work.

Is the temporary supply account in the builder's name?

Often, yes. Make sure the retail account for the permanent supply is set up in the owner's name before handover so there's no gap in supply or billing.

Get Site Power Sorted From Day One

Starting a build? Get a temporary builders supply quote, plan your permanent consumer mains, or call 0402 559 777. We'll map out both connections before the first trade arrives.