Utility transfer checklist

What utilities to schedule

• Electricity and gas
• Water and sewer/trash service, if separately billed
• Internet and cable
• Home security or monitoring services
• Landline phone or home fax, if you still have one
• Lawn care, landscaping, or home cleaning services tied to the old address, if you use them

(Source: North American Van Lines)

Getting utility transfer timing right

• Schedule disconnection at the old home for the day after you actually leave, not the day of — you'll likely need power, water, and internet while finishing final tasks
• Schedule connection at the new home for the day before or the actual day of move-in, so essentials are active when you arrive
• Book internet/cable installation early — appointment slots for physical installation often fill up further in advance than other utilities

Confirm your utility providers change

Most utility categories, including electric, gas, water, internet, and cable, are regional or local operations, which means your current provider probably does not serve your new address at all. This catches a lot of people off guard, especially with internet and cable, where a company might dominate one metro area but have zero infrastructure in another. Check provider availability at the new address as early as possible. Do not assume the same company or plan carries over across state lines, and do not wait until the week before move-in to discover your only broadband option is a satellite provider with data caps.

Get final utility readings and confirmations

Request a final meter reading or closing statement from each utility at your old home, and keep written confirmation of every new-home setup. Both pieces of documentation matter more than most people realize. Billing disputes spike during transition periods because final bills overlap with prorated start dates, account numbers get mixed up, and automated systems sometimes fail to close old accounts properly. Having a paper trail with specific dates and readings saves hours on the phone later. Store these records with your other move paperwork rather than trusting the utility to keep accurate logs on your behalf.

If you're renting, check what's already included

Some rentals bundle water, sewer, or trash into the rent at a flat rate, which changes which accounts you actually need to open. Check your lease before assuming you need to set up every utility separately. It's also worth asking your new provider about the previous year's typical costs at that address — useful for budgeting, especially if you're moving somewhere with a different climate that changes heating or cooling costs. (Source: North American Van Lines, Oregon Citizens' Utility Board)

What to do if a previous tenant left an unpaid balance

Occasionally a utility provider will refuse to start new service at an address because of a balance the previous occupant left unpaid. Renters generally have options in this situation rather than being stuck — check with your state or local utility regulator about your specific rights, since remedies (paying and deducting from rent, a written agreement with the landlord, or other options) vary by state and by utility. (Source: Oregon Citizens' Utility Board)

Quick energy-saving wins once your utilities are connected

Once utilities are active, a few quick checks can lower your bill without much effort. Locate your water heater and turn it down to the warm setting, which is 120°F. The Department of Energy notes this temperature conserves energy while still preventing scalding injuries, and most households do not notice any difference in daily use. While you are there, check whether the tank already has an insulating blanket. Adding one is inexpensive, typically under thirty dollars, and per DOE estimates it usually pays for itself within a year through reduced standby heat loss. If the tank is warm to the touch, it is losing heat and costing you money.

It's also worth locating the hot water pipes and heating ducts that run through unheated spaces like the attic or crawlspace — insulating these cuts down on heat loss you're otherwise paying for. If your new utility company or state energy office offers a home energy audit, it's generally free or low-cost and flags problems, like drafty windows or weak insulation, you wouldn't catch on your own. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy)

Keeping your phone number if you're switching providers

If your interstate move means switching phone providers — common if your current carrier doesn't have great coverage where you're headed — you can usually keep your existing number through porting, whether you're moving between wireline, VoIP, or wireless service. The catch is geography: moving to a new area doesn't guarantee you can keep the same number, since some providers can't support a number tied to a different region. Confirm this with the new provider before you cancel anything with the old one. (Source: FCC)

A couple of consumer protections worth knowing: FCC rules require simple ports — a single line, no complex switching changes — to be completed within one business day once you've started the process with the new company. And your old provider can't refuse to port your number just because you owe an outstanding balance or early termination fee, so don't let that stop you from switching if the old provider doesn't serve your new address. (Source: FCC)

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

• All moving checklists
• Change of address checklist
• New home walkthrough checklist