Moving requires a lot of things to be done. From finding the right moving company to packing and organizing everything. Some tasks can be handled with the help of movers, while others you have to do by yourself. One such task is to transfer utilities when moving. It might not be the most fun things to do, but it’s essential. It will allow you to continue getting electricity and water in your new home. And not pay bills for your old one.
Why is it important to transfer utilities when moving?
You will be moving out soon. And you want to have all the benefits of the modern world in your new home as soon as you move in. You don’t want to be waiting for days for the electric company to come and install electricity in it. And you certainly don’t want to be paying bills for your old home once you move out. That’s why it’s important to transfer utilities when moving. One of the biggest moving mistakes that people make is not transferring utilities on time. So, make sure to start with this process sooner rather than later.
Which utilities do you need to transfer when moving?
The term utility encompasses a wide range of services that are essential for everyday life. They can be provided by both public and private companies. And they can include:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Sewage
- Telephone
- Transportation
The Internet connection and cable have been referred to as utilities for quite some time. And in the broader sense of the term, they are. Life without the internet almost can’t be imagined in this day and age. And so, it’s important to take care of that as well.
When to start transferring utilities?
It’s important to start this process as soon as possible. As soon as you get the confirmation from your Florida moving company you can start organizing everything. Some utility companies need quite some time to transfer everything over to your new place. And you want to be able to schedule shut-off and turn-on dates they way that suit your needs the best.
For example, you want electricity to be shut-off day or two after you move out. And you want to have it in your new apartment as soon as you walk through the door. Same goes for many other services. That’s why, when you want to transfer utilities when moving, you should start as early as a month in advance. That way you will ensure uninterrupted service and an easy switch.
Transferring utilities when moving
Transferring utilities will take some of your time, but it’s an important task that you need to do. And it’s important that you do it the right way. You don’t want to be stuck without electricity or internet in either one of your homes. Old one or the new one.
Organize everything first
The first thing that you need to do when you want to transfer utilities when moving is to get everything organized. You want to gather the last bill from every utility company. That way you will know exactly how much you owe. And which services you are using.
You can usually find phone numbers and websites for the utility company on the bill that you get from them. And that will be the number that you have to call to get more information about how to properly transfer your utilities.
Calling the utility companies
Once you have everything neatly organized, it’s time to start calling the utility companies. At these points, the most important thing is to get all the information you will need to successfully transfer everything. If you are moving locally in Florida, then you will probably be dealing with the same utility company in your new home. And that makes things a lot easier. But, if you are moving to another city or a state, you will need to get more information about the cancelation. So, it’s important to ask the following things:
- What are the fees for canceling utilities?
- Are there any fees for installation in your new home?
- Will someone need to be present during shut-off and installation?
- Will you be getting your deposit back?
- What to do with the leftover equipment?
- When can you schedule an installation?
- Are there any bills that you still have to pay?
With those questions answered, you can start scheduling shut-off and installation dates for all your utilities.
Scheduling the transfer of utilities
Now that you know what you need to transfer and know what it takes to do so it’s time to schedule everything. Different service companies have different policies. And you want to transfer some utilities before you move in, and some after. Depending on the utility itself. And if you need to be there personally during the installation.
Gas and Electricity
You want to schedule gas and electricity to be shut off a day or two after you’ve moved out. That way, in case you forgot something, you can always go back for it. And have heating and lights on. You also want electricity to be installed a day before you move in. That way your movers won’t have to stumble in the dark when they bring your belongings in.
Water and sewer
Transferring water and sewer service is easy if you are moving inside the same city. But, when moving long-distance you need to arrange everything with your new city. So, make sure you call ahead and arrange everything.
Cable and internet
You don’t want to be stuck in your new home without the ability to check your email. So, make sure to plan ahead of the transfer of cable and internet. If you are moving to another state, make sure to check if your current company covers that area. If not, you will need to find a new internet service provider and have them install the internet on your move-in day.
Forward your mail
Even though it’s not a utility it’s quite important to forward your mail. You might still have some leftover bills that will need to get to you. Alongside all other mail sent to your old address. You can easily forward your mail by going to the USPS website and filling out a form. It costs just around $1. That way you won’t miss out on any bills or letters. Or maybe even other things that you ordered online.