A temporary power line item in a commercial bid should state the load basis, the generator size, the duration and shift pattern, delivery and pickup, fuel, distribution, any transfer or switching, and who handles utility coordination. Written as separate lines or as one itemized allowance, those parts let the estimator defend the number during buyout. They also protect the bid when the schedule or the scope moves. Stag Power Rentals supplies diesel generators from its Dickinson, TX yard in sizes from 20 kW to 2000 kW, billed by single, double, or triple shift.
Before pricing anything, confirm which electrical rules apply to the site. OSHA 1926.404, the wiring design and protection standard for construction, covers branch circuit ground-fault protection through GFCIs or an assured equipment grounding conductor program. It also includes grounding requirements for portable generators and calls for service disconnecting means that plainly indicate whether they are open or closed. Those provisions shape the cords, panels, and protection the estimator carries, and the safety manager or electrical contractor should confirm the details for the project.
Two related pages cover different ground. The demolition bid page addresses temporary power for demolition scopes, and the schedule cost page looks at what a power outage does to a commercial schedule. This page sits between them and stays with new-build and tenant improvement work, where the estimator needs a clear line item before the contract is signed.
Start with the load list, not the generator
The load basis drives every other line in the item. Estimators usually begin with the trade scopes that need temporary power, such as hoists, welders, compressors, field trailers, lighting, heaters, and tool circuits. Each scope carries a connected load, a running load, and a starting load for motors, and those numbers should come from the subcontractors. Stag’s construction site generator sizing guide walks through building a load list and works as a template for the bid backup. If the loads are not yet known, say so in the clarifications instead of carrying a placeholder size.
Unit size, duration, and shift pattern
Unit size and run time set most of the rental cost. Stag bills by single, double, or triple shift, so the estimator needs to know how many hours per day the generator will run. A job with daytime framing crews may need a single shift, while a concrete pour with overnight finishing could call for double or triple. Rates change with size and shift pattern, and the generator rental pricing guide explains how those pieces combine before a formal quote. Carry the duration as a stated assumption tied to the schedule version used for the bid.
A checklist of line items and clarifications
The table below maps each part of the temporary power line item to the question the estimator should answer and the clarification worth writing into the bid. It is a checklist, not a price sheet. Every entry depends on the contract, the jurisdiction, and the site, and the dollar amounts should come from a current supplier quote.
| Line item | Question to answer | Clarification to state |
|---|---|---|
| Load basis | Which trades need power, and what are their running and starting loads? | Based on the load list dated for this bid; added loads by others are priced separately |
| Unit size | Which kW rating, and how many units? | Sized to the stated loads only |
| Duration and shift | Single, double, or triple shift, and for how many weeks? | Tied to the schedule version used; extensions priced at the quoted shift rate |
| Delivery and pickup | Where does the unit sit, and what is the site access? | Pad location and access provided by the general contractor |
| Fuel | Who fuels, and how often? | Included or excluded, with refueling frequency stated |
| Distribution | Which cables, panels, and cord sets reach the work? | Quantities based on the current layout; GFCI protection per the site safety program |
| Transfer or switching | Is there a tie-in to permanent or existing power? | Performed by a licensed electrician; scope and inspections stated |
| Utility disconnect | Who coordinates the energize date and pays utility charges? | Utility fees included or excluded in writing |
| Contingency | What allowance covers schedule slips and added load? | Percentage follows company estimating policy |
Delivery, pickup, and fuel
Delivery and pickup belong in the bid because they depend on site access and sequencing. The estimator should note the pad or staging location, ground conditions, and any restrictions such as work hours or gate schedules. Stag delivers from its Dickinson, TX yard, and the quote reflects the site address and the date range requested. If the generator must move as phases change, carry a relocation allowance or exclude it in writing. For how the load and unit size change between phases, see our page on temporary power from slab to punch list.
Fuel is the line most often left vague. Diesel consumption depends on unit size and load, and Stag’s generator fuel consumption chart gives a reference for estimating burn at different loads. The bid should say whether fuel and refueling are included, who keeps the tank filled, and what happens if the unit runs dry between visits. Check with the site team for any rules on storing or dispensing fuel on the property.
Distribution, cords, and switching
A generator on a pad does little until power reaches the work. Distribution covers feeder cable, panels, spider boxes, cord sets, and GFCI protection at the points of use. Stag’s power distribution equipment is worth pricing alongside the generator so the supplier quote and the bid carry matching scopes. The electrical contractor usually owns the final connections, so state who supplies and who installs each piece.
Switching matters when temporary power must hand off to utility or permanent service, or when a generator backs up existing power. A transfer switch rental can address that need, and a licensed electrician should confirm the wiring and sequencing. Write down who performs the tie-in and who is responsible for inspections, since those answers differ by jurisdiction.
Utility disconnects and who pays
Temporary power often ends when the utility energizes permanent service, and the bid should say who coordinates that date. Utility connection fees, meter set, and inspections vary by utility and jurisdiction, so the estimator should not assume them. State whether the bid includes any utility charges or leaves them with the owner or general contractor. Also note who authorizes pickup once permanent power is live, because rental billing continues until the unit is released.
Contingency and exclusions to write down
Contingency covers schedule slips, added loads, and fuel variance, and the percentage should follow your company’s estimating policy rather than a fixed rule. The list below gives clarifications worth stating in the bid. Each one should be edited to match the contract and the project, and any item that does not fit the job can be removed.
- Generator sized to the load list dated for this bid, with added loads priced separately.
- Duration based on the stated schedule version, with extensions at the quoted shift rate.
- Shift pattern assumed as single, double, or triple, as written in the bid.
- Fuel and refueling included or excluded, with the responsible party named.
- Utility fees, permits, and inspections by others unless listed.
- Tie-in and switching by a licensed electrician, with scope stated.
- Relocation, standby periods, and weather events excluded unless listed.
- Cord, panel, and equipment damage handled under the rental terms.
Turning the checklist into a supplier quote
Stag Power Rentals can support the estimate with a diesel generator quote built from your load list, shift pattern, and delivery details. The construction industry overview shows how Stag works with contractors across project types. When the plan is ready, send the load details through the quote request form so the number in the bid matches a supplier quote. Note the quote date and validity period in the bid backup in case buyout happens weeks later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should temporary power be its own line item or sit in general conditions?
Practice varies by company and by contract. Some estimators carry it as a separate line so it can be tracked and adjusted, while others place it in general conditions. The contract documents may also assign temporary power to a specific party. Read the division 01 requirements and the subcontractor scopes before deciding.
How do I decide between single, double, and triple shift?
Start from the hours per day the generator must run, based on the work schedule and the trades on site. Single shift fits a standard daytime workday, while double and triple shift suit longer or around-the-clock operations. Confirm the pattern with the superintendent, because overtime and night work are not always planned at bid time. State the assumed shift in the bid so a change can be priced.
Should fuel be included in the bid?
Either approach can work if the bid says clearly which one applies. Including fuel requires an estimate of burn at the expected load, and the fuel consumption chart is a starting reference. Excluding fuel shifts that cost to the party who will keep the tank filled. Whichever route you choose, name the responsible party and the refueling frequency.
Who is usually responsible for the utility disconnect?
That depends on the contract, the utility, and the jurisdiction. The estimator should not assume that the generator supplier, the electrical contractor, or the general contractor handles it. Ask who coordinates the energize date and who pays any utility charges. Record the answer in the clarifications so the scope is not disputed later.
What exclusions should I state with a temporary power item?
Common exclusions include added loads, schedule extensions, utility fees, permits, relocation, and standby periods. Each should be adapted to the project and checked against the contract language. Stating exclusions in plain terms gives the owner and the general contractor a chance to respond before award. If the contract says otherwise, the contract language governs.