When people think of the work involved in moving, they think of the basics: packing and hauling everything they own. As work-intensive as those tasks are, they are far from the only tasks on your to-do list.
Before you move, you also need to set up your essential utilities. To make the process as seamless as possible, follow these tips.
1. Make a List and Check It Twice
Amid the chaos of moving, it’s easy to let tasks slip through the cracks. When one of those missed tasks is to set up an essential utility, it could turn your entire moving day upside-down.
As soon as you start preparing for your move, make a list of all the utilities you’ll need to set up. Your list will depend on your new home, but it may include:
- Electric
- Gas
- Water
- Trash pick-up
- Recycling pick-up
- Internet
- Cable or satellite TV service
- Landline phone service
Starting to prepare that list early will help get everything in order without waiting until the last minute or missing any utilities.
2. Start Planning Early
As you prepare for your move, it’s easy for utilities to take a back burner. After all, many people assume transferring services will take a single phone call.
That often is not the case. Some utility companies ask for various documents you won’t have on-hand. Jumping through all the hoops and tracking down the documents you need is a time-consuming job.
You should start planning ahead for shutting off your current home’s utilities too. Some companies require a certain amount of notice before ending your service. Others require a technician to come out, so you’ll need to schedule an appointment. Either way, give yourself enough time so you can end your service on the day you choose.
Keep your current utilities activated for at least two days after your scheduled move. This way, you will have electricity, lights, and water if you need to return to make repairs or clean. Also, schedule the utilities at your new home to be activated a day or two before moving in just if you have tasks to take care of before the move.
3. Compare Your Options
The utility providers for your new home might differ from the providers for your last house. Certain cities, neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and management companies have various provider requirements. Also, certain utility companies might only serve particular areas. In some places, you will have options to choose your providers, so make sure you do your research.
Start by asking your new home’s real estate agent, property manager, or previous owner about the utility providers, so that you’re starting with the previous providers. Then, do some scouring to see what other options are available at your new address.
For each utility, contact every provider available to you and ask about their rates. Look up their customer reviews too to see how they manage customer service. The Better Business Bureau is another reliable source for researching a company.
Getting Your Utilities Running
Utilities aren’t anyone’s favorite thing to deal with during their move. Coordinating your service is a hassle. With the tips above, though, it will at least be slightly less stressful and less expensive.
If you need help with other aspects of your move, get a quote from our movers today.
