Moving soon? Don’t forget to transfer those utilities! While it’s certainly not a fun task, it’s undoubtedly one of the most important. After all, who wants to spend the first night (or first week) in their new home without hot water, electricity or internet? Not us. For these reasons, it’s absolutely necessary that you contact your utility service providers before the move to schedule a transfer or installation date.
Not sure how to get started on setting up your utilities? Before you begin packing boxes, take a look at these 10 simple tips for transferring your utilities when moving:
1. Get organized First thing’s first: before you move, familiarize yourself with all of your current utility service providers. Utilities usually include cable and internet, water and sewer, gas, electricity, satellite, security system, trash and phone. We recommend noting these monthly service providers by writing their phone numbers and contact information on one general list. If you’re planning on changing providers when you move, be sure to write down any new contact information.
2. Research new utility service providers Moving to a new city or area of the country often requires using a different utility company altogether. Before you move, research the utility service providers in your area to assess options. In many cases, you may not have an option – as there’s only one utility service provider for certain utilities in many cities. We recommend checking with your local government and city websites as well as asking Realtors and local experts for utility provider recommendations. If you’re moving within the same city or state, you’ll likely be able to use the same providers as before.
3. Notify utilities of your move a few weeks in advance Once you’ve organized all of your utility information, you’ll need to start contacting each provider separately to let them know you’re moving. We recommend contacting most providers at least two to three weeks in advance. For utility services that require an installation appointment, it’s a good idea to call a month in advance. These usually include cable and internet services as well as security system providers, such as ADT. When scheduling your disconnect and reconnect dates for gas and electric, consider making the disconnect date a day after moving or (if selling the home) on closing day. This way the lights and HVAC will still be working, just in case you need to return to the home to pick up anything left behind. If you live near your new home, consider scheduling your gas and electric connection for the day before your move. This way, you can go ahead and turn on the AC or heat, if moving in extreme weather.
4. Arrange your water and sewer service through the city When it comes to water and sewer services, these will most likely be handled through your new city or town. Arrange for the service to begin on closing day (or moving day, if renting) by contacting your city’s public utilities office a few weeks beforehand. If moving to a new city with a new water/sewer service, ask your real estate agent and the home’s former owners for a rough estimate of the costs. Water bills vary by city and location, so for budget purposes, don’t assume that water and sewage will cost the same as it did in your former house.
5. Check if the HOA covers utilities Moving to a community with an HOA (homeowners’ association)? If so, your HOA fees may cover basic utilities, including water and sewer, gas and trash pickup. Paying one monthly bill to the HOA instead of five separate bills to various utility companies will certainly make paying monthly bills an easier and more seamless process.
6. Update your address When calling the utility service providers, be sure to provide them with your new address. This way, you’ll be sure to receive any and all future bills. Of course, it’s also a good idea to change your mailing address with USPS. By going to USPS.com, you can easily select the date that you wish to begin forwarding your mail. Here’s your change of address checklist.
7. Pay overdue bills before moving Whatever you do, don’t forget to pay any overdue bills before moving. When calling the utility service providers, simply ask whether or not you currently owe anything. If so, be sure to pay off these outstanding balances before closing day and/or moving, as these could potentially hurt your credit score and prevent the sale of your home. Paying off balances also means a clean slate and a fresh start in your new home.
8. Do a final meter reading Before moving, have your utility service providers come to your house and conduct a final reading of the gas, electric and water meters. Just in case you receive any unexpected bills after moving, keep a copy of the meter reading reports for your records.
9. Double-check that all utility services are ready to go It doesn’t hurt to double-check that all of your stop/start dates are ready to go. Before moving to your new home, we recommend calling your existing and new utility service providers to confirm stop/start dates. This way, you don’t move into a dark, cold house that isn’t ready for residents. And you won’t be paying for utilities in your old home once you move out. When confirming stop/start dates, double-check that all of your contact and billing information is correct as well.
10. Conduct a home energy audit of your new home Finally, once you’ve moved into your new home, I recommend scheduling for a technician to come and perform a home energy audit. (DTE and Consumers Energy usually will do this for free!) This audit will let you know if you need to improve the insulation, ductwork or furnace in your new house. Essentially, it informs a homeowner how and where the air is leaking into the house. Nationwide Insurance suggests sealing air leaks by either placing a sweep at the base of outside doors or by applying caulk around the drafty windows.
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