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5 min readSetting up your house utilities is an easily forgotten step of moving into your new home. And leaving it too long can turn the task into a hellish hassle as you scramble on move-in day to get the central air, shower, and fridge up and running.
To streamline the process, we put together a few steps you can quickly follow to set up your new home utilities, including how to set up utilities when renting. We’ll also cover everything you need to know about each utility type.
There’s a lot to think about when you’re in the middle of a move, so here’s a quick utility setup checklist to get you started. We’ll cover each step in more detail below.
When all of your utility bills are set up under your name and financial information, you might be wondering: How do I move? It can feel overwhelming, but putting together a list of all utilities that need to be turned on at your new home can help. You should also make a list of your existing utilities, which will need to be shut off when the big day comes. You’ll want to include contact info for your utility providers (new and old) and your exact move-in and move-out date.
Next, call all your current utility providers and tell them your intended moving day. Be sure to do this in advance in order to avoid any fees or penalties.
Ask your electricity provider to leave the power on for 48 hours after you move out. This way, you’ll have power when you go back to pick up those last few boxes.
Lastly, call your new utility providers and communicate your intended move-in day. You may want to ask your new providers some questions at this point:
Plan ahead by at least two weeks and schedule your utilities to be on and in your name the day after you get your keys. This way everything will be there when you need it, but you’ll avoid paying for utilities before your new home is yours.
Utilities aren't the only things you need to update when you move. Our change of address checklist walks you through who to notify when you change your address, and our guide to updating your license and registration informs you of the DMV process for moving to a new state.
When it comes to electric and gas utilities, you’re typically faced with one of two scenarios: a regulated market or a deregulated market.
If you’re moving to an area with a deregulated market, you’ll have to research your options to find the best value for your needs. Ask your property manager if they have a preferred provider — that can save you some time in your research.
In a deregulated market, utilities like gas and electricity come from private companies, meaning there’s more market competition. More competition gives you more choices and lower costs.
Try to plan ahead by at least two weeks. Schedule the lights and gas to be switched over to you on the day after your lease starts or you take ownership. You’ll be glad to have power and gas while you’re moving in, cleaning, or making any necessary repairs.
Culinary water is what you will drink, cook, and bathe with, although hopefully not simultaneously—no matter how easy it is to make radish roses in the shower.
Culinary water is found both in and out of your home. If the faucet is outside your home but it’s coming through a wall or sticking out of your foundation, it is most likely culinary. Culinary water is metered, and you’ll pay by the gallon for your monthly water usage.
Some locations have culinary and secondary water. Secondary water is typically derived from non-potable sources and is used for watering landscaping and gardens.
Ask the previous owners, your new neighbors, or your realtor about the water provider for your new property—or do a quick online search.
Once you determine who to call, you’ll want to ask the provider whether you have both culinary and secondary water or if it’s only culinary, and what the process is to have the water turned back on in your name. You won’t need to be present when the water is turned on; this will likely be handled by your initial phone call.
There are plenty of cable and satellite providers that will let Real Housewives of Orange County stream out of your television as easily as water flows out of your faucet. The only limiting factor may be your location.
Cable is typically delivered to your television through in-ground...well...cables—hence the name. Since they’re underground, the cables are less likely to be affected by weather. Additionally, cable requires less equipment to install, but it may not be available in rural areas.
In the countryside, satellite may be the clear winner for you, because cable is not always available in rural areas. And generally speaking, satellite may be a more cost-effective option compared to cable.
Whichever TV option is best for you, either satellite or cable, will also likely be best for your internet needs.
As a matter of convenience, it makes sense to have the company that delivers your TV entertainment also provide your internet. This way you have one installation, one company to service you, and one bill to pay.
This is called bundling, and it can often save you money: many cable and satellite companies offer deep discounts if you bundle your internet and TV.
Before choosing a package, do some research to determine how much internet speed you need. Account for how many people live in your house, how many devices will be used at once, and how much content you and your family stream. If you’re on the fence between two packages, opt for the faster one—it’s better to have too much internet speed than not enough.
You’ll also want to decide which television channels you must have so you can research the cheapest bundles that include your favorite channels and a sufficiently fast internet connection. The table below lays out some bundles that give you the best value.
Company | Logo | Plan selection |
DirectTV |  | View Plans |
|---|---|---|
| U-Verse TV and AT&T |  | View Plans |
| Dish Network |  | View Plans |
Moving can be a huge life change with a lot of boxes to check off (and pack), including transferring your utilities. If this is your first time moving, you might be wondering, what utilities do I need? As a homeowner, you are responsible for contacting utility companies (gas, electric, garbage, sewage, etc.) to stop payments from your old address and start payments from your new address.
Setting up utilities as a renter varies from place to place. Some properties handle the setup through a property manager or separate company, and all you have to do is provide your information. Other rental properties require you to contact the individual utility companies yourself. Be sure to ask your landlord or apartment complex for details.
Some utilities like electricity can be turned on as soon as they receive payment information, while others require advance notice like gas, garbage, and internet.
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