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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.

MudHog wrote: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.

Blazer406 wrote:

MudHog wrote: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.