Eight Steps When Transferring Utilities For a Seamless Move
Moving
Whether you’re moving in or moving out, figuring out with to do with your utilities can feel overwhelming. Although there are so many other things you have to remember to do during the moving process, like packing up the entire house, the process of transferring utilities is one that you should not push to the back burner. While you can do without some services, like cable, for a few days, utilities simply aren’t one of them. You need power and water up until that very last moment and so will your moving service.
Scheduling the switch over for your utilities requires careful coordination and communication between everyone involved. So, here are eight simple steps to take when transferring utilities for a seamless move.
Transferring Utilities for A Move in 8 Easy Steps
1. Get Organized
This process can take some time, so it’s best to get organized from the get-go. Grab a folder and get organized! Gather the contact information for all your utilities including phone, internet, water, sewer, gas, oil, electric, trash, TV, cable, deliveries and mail. Find your most recent bills and highlight your account number; have this handy to take detailed notes when you speak to any representative about your situation.
2. Coordinate Schedule
Determine your shut-off and activation dates to coordinate with your moving dates so you can avoid any lapse in service. Count on some overlap in timing. It’s recommended to have your utilities shut off the day after you move out and turned on in your new location the day before you move in. Be sure to allow a buffer of time to make adjustments if your schedule changes. This way, you’re not left in the dark.
3. Call Early
After you have gotten organized and reviewed your list to be sure you included everything, call the current utility companies at least three to four weeks to schedule changes. The earlier the better; check with each company in advance to find out how much notice they require so you don’t get fined.
4. Pay Up
As you’re on the phone with the representative, ask about any final balances and be sure to settle those before your shut-off date. If you let this slip through the cracks, your credit rating could be affected with an unpaid balance left on an account.
5. Provide New Address
In order to have your mail forwarded to your new home address, fill out a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service (available at your local post office branch). But, now’s not the time to rely on the post-office to forward all your mail and hope it catches your final bills. Communicate your new address to each company in case you have deposits that need to be returned or a final bill to square away. If you don’t, you could face a less-than-pleasant surprise down the road with unnecessary late fees or unfortunate credit situations.
6. Set-Up Activation
If you’re moving across country or to a new city, do your research to find out who the utility providers are in your new location. Call the new provider as early as possible to set up for services. While some companies can accommodate a three to five-day turnaround to activate your account, some need at least three weeks in advance. It all depends on when you move as wait-time for services may be longer during peak moving season (such as spring and summer). Additionally, many companies require completion of an application as well as a credit check to schedule activation.
7. Get the Final Word
Once you’re really ready to turn out the lights and lock the door, check your meters for a final reading. Take a picture of the reading on the meter with your phone in case you need to dispute extra billing charges on your last bill. And if you do happen to move out earlier than expected, do not turn off the utilities before you close escrow, if there is a problem, such as frozen pipes in the winter, it would likely be your responsibility and could even jeopardize the sale.
8. Turn on the Lights
Ready to activate utilities at your new home? As you schedule the turn-on of your new home’s utilities, find out if you need to be present to meet with personnel. If so, make sure you, a family or friend is available in case any questions or issues arise to avoid any interruption. Downtime can be hazardous (remember those frozen pipes).
And once your lights (and water, power, cable, etc.) are turned on, check all your fixtures and faucets to ensure everything is in good working condition.
Finally, after everything is complete, keep track of your billing dates and payment set-up so your credit stays in good standing. Set up a reminder in your calendar and start your journey in your new home off on the right foot!
