Temporary power

Gaining temporary power is an absolute must at this point in the process.  The local utility provider actually hooks up the power, but this only follows a successful series of steps that lead to the lineman connecting the new meter.  Here is the process laid out in a simple and easy to follow series of steps.  However, confusion and aggravation is often a guaranteed element of successfully having the power hooked up.  Get ready to suffer defeat at any of these steps and face considerable delay in having the power connected.

At least six code violations here, maybe more if the inspector looks closer

Dave the electrician has visited the site.  He is extremely good at his job and promises zero deficiencies

The all important green sticker has arrived, meaning Dave's efforts were a success

HERE IS A SCHEMATIC OF THE TECHNIQUE USED TO GET TEMPORARY POWER

1. buy a 12 ft 6x6 treated lumber post - then figure out how to transport this to the site (secret - ask the cribber to do you a favour and deliver it as he has a truck large enough to safely transport this long post).  
2. have the excavator did a four ft deep hole and plant the post for you so that about eight feet of post remains above grade, if you can even locate grade at this point thanks to the excavation and dirt pile everywhere.
3. get your temporary electrical panel from wherever you stored it, and hope it fits in your truck.  In this case the panel was already suffering from significant damage due to being tipped over at the last job site by a careless bobcat operator, and the mast was damaged.  This will inevitably cause problems later.
4. get on the proper web page with the utility company and request the site id.  You are going to need to know some technical stuff, like number of wires, amps, volts, permit number (secret - only the electrician can get a permit number, so if he hasn't done so, you are really stuck at this step and cannot proceed).
5. ensure you have a retailer and an account set up for the new property.  If you don't be prepared to pay a substantial security deposit.  Fortunately the last account from integer homes remains in good standing with enmax so this is fairly straightforward.
6. hang the panel and get the electrician to visit the site, ground the panel and make sure it is in good enough condition to pass inspection (secret - your electrician must come to the site to make adjustments and if he doesn't it almost guarantees a failure).
7. have the electrician call for inspection.
8. arrive at site the following day to look for the green sticker from the building inspector (secret - get the electrician to actually visit the site and repair the half dozen deficiencies on your damaged panel).  Since there is no green sticker, call the electrician and ask him to dispatch someone to fix the panel and recall the inspection.
9. the next day, arrive at the site and locate the green sticker - finally you have passed.
10. call enmax and request the meter connection at the temporary pole.  They will need every type of information available, such as site ID, address and postal code, account holders confidential information.  Enmax will then indicate two to five business days are needed to hook up the panel.  This is where events can go seriously wrong.  Expect major grief at this point in the process if the application doesn't pass Enmax' internal requirement.
11. two days later tour the site - no power.  Three days later tour the site - still no power.
12. the next day tour the site - it is now friday at noon.  there is no power and this is very suspect.
13. call enmax to inquire about the scheduled requirement for the connection.  At this point you must hope you are calling the correct department (secret - inevitably you are going to be standing in a muddy back yard or sitting in a car while on your cell phone.  Pre-program your cell phone with all possible enmax phone numbers and ensure the name on the number is the appropriate department.  Wait on hold a considerable amount of time for the operator.
14. promise your framing crew that power delivery is imminent (secret - don't do this until you have a strong inclination that power actually is imminent).
15. after waiting on hold an indeterminate length of time, enmax will answer the call after suggesting you fax them a request. If you have a fax machine in your vehicle, use this now.  If not, hold the line.
16. Now you have the enmax employee on the line, request an update.  After some awkward silence you will be told that your application for power was not recorded, or based on some technicality not successful.  Here is where you have a choice, you can wait another two to five business days, or begin to have a freak out.  Remember, you have promised your next crew that power is available on site and they are planning to start work and have scheduled your job and that means they have completed other work or have avoided taking on new work to do your job.  No power means they will not be showing up tomorrow.
17. After the successful freak out enmax becomes more compliant. They offer to call you back with a solution.
18. Someone from enmax emails you a bizarre and incomprehensible reason power is not on site.  The reason is not credible since their own system generated the address, site ID, and have taken every possible piece of information related to billing and ownership of the site.
19. Call your crew and give them the bad news, offer to rent a large generator the next morning
20. Enmax calls your cell phone and offers to fast track the connection, but not until Monday.  They note that it is still within five business days so technically that is within their accepted service standard to do so by Monday.
21. Fill out the form enmax has sent you requesting feedback on its service and call centre staff - make some extremely nasty vitriolic comments and wonder who is going to read the survey results and what they might think after they review the colourful language and phrases
22. Wait for the power, get generator to site.
23. Enmax arrives to connect power shortly after generator is delivered.