How Much Do Telephone Poles Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Telephone poles, usually made of wood in order to carry telephone cables around a whole country or even continent if needed, are often used to deliver phone services to houses and offices; however, this isn’t always the case.   Private buyers often purchase telephone poles for various projects, including creating a fence, zip line or even a bridge, for example.

IMG_0644 by андрій мельничук, on Flickr
“IMG_0644” (CC BY 2.0) by  андрій мельничук

How much does a telephone pole cost?

Most of the time, a telephone pole that has to be replaced because of an accident can cost anywhere from $3,000 to as much as $6,500 for the pole and installation.  However, if the pole is damaged because of a car accident and the driver was insured, the insurance company will cover the costs based on your policy details.

Those who are simply looking to buy a pole will find the cost of a single pole varies from one type to another.  A typical 45-foot class 3 pole, about 16 to 20-feet at the base, can cost about $150 to $700 depending on the type of wood and who you purchase it from.

It will, of course, cost more if you need it professionally installed.  The cost with installation and supplies can cost well over $3,000 due to the equipment, shipping and man-hours required.

Refer to our table below to see what a telephone pole would cost on its own without installation.

Pole SizePrice Range
25-foot$100 to $200
30-foot$100 to $350
35-foot$250 to $425
40-foot$350 to $550
45-foot$400 to $700
50-foot$500 to $850
55-foot$650 to $850

NOTE:  These prices are for the pole only.  This will not include installation and delivery charges.

AmericanTimberandSteel.com, an online retailer that sells telephone poles, sells a variety that ranges from $100 to as much as $700.  The taller the pole is, the more you are likely going to pay.

This forum thread on AR15.com, for example, a forum member claimed they paid close to $1,800 for installation and the pole.

Another forum member on this PlanetFeedback.com forum thread stated that they received a bill for $3,000 after they got into an accident.

In a blog post written by Garrett-Engineers.com, they had talked about a utility company that had sent a bill to a driver that hit a 50-foot pole.  The repair bills, according to this post, was broken down into three parts:  the materials ($1,722), the equipment ($2,059) and the labor, which totaled 132.6 hours, averaged  $172 per hour for their linemen, $185 per hour for the foreman and $188 per hour for their troubleshooter.  These costs were much higher than the industry average, which prompted the driver’s insurance company to argue this claim, effectively lowering the labor rate, all of which, wasn’t mentioned as the grand total.

Telephone pole overview

Wooden telephone poles are often made from pine or cedar.  Companies that manufacture telephone poles often chose the stems from pine or cedar trees because they match the natural characteristics to meet the engineering and design standards in order to support telephone lines.

The standard utility pole in the United States is 40 feet; however, poles can reach as high as 120 feet.

What are the extra costs?

As mentioned above, if you need a contractor, additional installation fees can apply, and the costs will depend on the complexity of the job and how many poles you need installed at once.  Most contractors are going to charge anywhere from $500 to $2,000 to install the pole, but the costs can go down if more than one pole needs to be installed at once.  To get a quote on your particular job, consider using HomeAdvisor.com to receive multiple quotes from local contractors for free.

Due to the size, delivery fees can be in the hundreds, depending on the size of the pole.

If an electrician is needed to run wires to the pole, additional fees can apply.

Tips to know:

Because of the way that telephone poles are made, they can be dangerous and toxic if they are handled too much.  Cutting them can also release toxins into the air.  The reason for this is that there are many liquid preservatives that are added to the telephone poles when they are being made.  These preservatives ensure the strength and longevity of the telephone pole, and since they are used outside and away from people, they do not usually pose a threat.  If you are going to purchase a telephone pole for other reasons, make sure it is made from untreated wood.

How can I save money?

Remember to check with your car insurance policy to see what may be covered in case of an accident.

Talk with your local utility company.  They may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to buying one.


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Average Reported Cost: $5012.5

100 %
0 %
Less Expensive $1 $1.5K $3K $5K $6.5K More Expensive $8k

How much did you spend?

Was it worth it?  

  1. Kath (warner,  New Hampshire) paid $10000 and said:

    My son Accidentally hit a pole in a snow storm, no one will give itemized list of costs?!? Any Ideas??? Two companies…TDS and eversorse both charging 5k ….Sent him the bill 3/28 bill due 2 days ago…….

    Was it worth it? Yes

  2. Michael (Avon Park ,  Florida) paid $25 and said:

    Pole is rotted

    Was it worth it? Yes

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