Source for power poles.

[Bercy]

Side questions - how would you go about loading them yourself (take ten big guys?) and what do you put them on (biggest trailer you have and let them drag behind?)? Thanks.

[Blazer406]

Local power company here gives the used poles away. You call them and go to a yard and load them yourself.

If I remember right, poles and piles are technically the same thing. It depends how the stick is installed into the ground. If the large end is in the ground, it's a pole. If the small end is in the ground, it's a pile.

My civil engineering buddy said stay away from used power poles to support an elevated building. They have lost most of the wood treatment and would potentially rot much sooner than a new pole.

If this was a pier on a lake that wasn't real tall... or a pole shed with a dirt floor..... I wouldn't be as concerned..... but I'm talking about supporting cabins... or trailers..... or a big building.... 16' - 20' off the ground.... with people in it.

[MudHog]

Local power company here gives the used poles away. You call them and go to a yard and load them yourself.

If I remember right, poles and piles are technically the same thing. It depends how the stick is installed into the ground. If the large end is in the ground, it's a pole. If the small end is in the ground, it's a pile.

My civil engineering buddy said stay away from used power poles to support an elevated building. They have lost most of the wood treatment and would potentially rot much sooner than a new pole.

If this was a pier on a lake that wasn't real tall... or a pole shed with a dirt floor..... I wouldn't be as concerned..... but I'm talking about supporting cabins... or trailers..... or a big building.... 16' - 20' off the ground.... with people in it.

I would consider straight piles and not tapered piles. Either way, your looking at spending some money. The only advantage you will have is the quantity to be purchased may justify a discount.