A Guide to Transferring Utilities and Services
Details, details, details. When moving out of one home and into another, don’t forget about disconnecting, transferring and turning on utilities and services. While this is a relative easy process, it does take time and organization, so it’s best to begin this process 2-4 weeks before you move.
Below are common utilities and services you’ll need to take care of as well as helpful tips to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Common Utilities and Services
- Television, Cable and Satellite - Currently television is often also bundled with telecom services, so it’s a good thing to ask while you’re checking out your telephone service. But this area has also seen a lot of competition in recent years, notably between the cable and satellite companies. Figure out what type of television service you need, including whether you want to have premium channels like HBO and Showtime. Be sure to see what special offers different vendors have, including free hardware in some cases.
- Electric and Gas - Typically, there are not too many options when it comes to power. Call your current provider and ask if they service the city that will be your home soon. If not, they should be able to provide the name and number of the power provider. In some cases, you may also be able to simply assume the account from the seller. This is especially handy if you wish that the power never goes out – for example, if there is a swimming pool that requires maintenance.
- Newspaper - Assuming your move is local, you’d probably want to keep the same newspaper that you currently receive. The easiest thing might be to just contact your carrier and change the address. However, many major newspapers run aggressive promotions to acquire new customers. You can often cancel your current service, and then renew at the new address, and get a special discount. Some newspapers offer the first two or three months at a fifty percent discount, for example. In some instances, you might be able to just call your carrier and request that discount. This is also much easier to do if your city has two competing papers.
- Telephone and Internet - A lot has probably changed since the last time you set up telephone service. The worlds of telephone, Internet, and television have converged. There’s lots more competition now, and that’s a good thing for you. And the best thing is that you get to keep your number (assuming your move is local enough).
- There are several carriers that now offer local phone service and Internet access. Additionally, many offer television services as well.
- There is a new telephone technology that you may not yet have heard of – Voice over IP, or VOIP for short. The acronym IP stands for Internet Protocol. Put it all together, it means that your voice calls can now travel over the same internet connection that you use to send email and read news.
- There’s just as much competition on the internet front as companies scramble to offer Internet access at varying speeds and prices. Before you proceed, you might consider what connection speed is best suited to you. This will range from the slow dial-up to the lightning-quick broadband of DSL (standing for Digital Subscriber Line) or cable.
- All-in-all, it is best to consider what services you really need, and then shop around. These companies are hungry for your business, and are ready to deal on a bundled telephone and internet set of services.
Helpful Tips
- Disconnecting - For those utilities and services you’ll be turning off, make sure to schedule the final disconnection for the day after you move. The last thing you want is to find yourself moving in the pitch dark at 10pm because your electricity was turned off at 6pm.
- Transferring and Turning On - Whether you are moving locally or to another state, make sure your utilities and services are turned on the day before you move in. You don’t want your first day in your new home to be dark and cold just because your heat and electricity weren’t ready.
- New Address - Make sure your old utilities and service providers have your new address. They’ll need to know where to send your last bill, or better yet, where to send deposits you initially paid and any extra money you are owed.
- Unexpected Fees - Whether you are discontinuing a service or starting up a new one, make sure to ask about additional fees so you aren’t taken by surprise. There are usually fees associated with setting up a new service but there can also be fees charged for discontinuing one.