Setting up New Services!

Part of your moving checklist will include setting up services in your new city as well as discontinuing the existing services that you have in your current location. This typically includes power, tv services, various utilities and phone service. One of the first things that you need to remember is that it is a good idea to make sure that you will still have services at the place you are moving from, on the day that you move, and possibly a day or two after that. You might need to make and receive phone calls on moving day. Once everything is moved out, you will need power in order to run your vacuum cleaner. You'll need hot water for cleaning, etc. It's possible that everything will not go exactly as planned and you will take a little longer to move out than you previously had planned. So, it might even be a good idea to keep your services going an extra day or two, just in case.

Out with the Old... In with the New!

If you don't typically save your utility, power and phone receipts then about 2 months prior to moving, you might want to start doing that. You can refer to your bills in order to find the customer service numbers for the utility and phone companies that you use. About a month before you move you should call them and let them know that you are going to be moving. They will want to know the date that you want your services to run through. If you are moving to the same town then they might also be able to arrange for your new services to be set up at that time as well.

Moving Services Checklist

q Power Company

q Phone Service

q Cell Phone Service

q Gas (Propane or Natural Gas)

q Water

q Garbage

q Sewer

q TV Service (Cable or Satellite TV)

New Service Tips

When it is time to set up your new services, this can also be a good time to review your needs and possibly switch to different service providers. For example, if you are currently using Comcast Cable then you might want to have a look at the Satellite TV Services that are offered by Directv® and Dish Network, or vice verse. You can also review your cell phone services and decide if your needs and budget are being met by your current carrier. In the case of cell phones you may want to wait until your current contract expires before you switch in order to avoid any fees. In some areas you can choose from different power and phone services. This is a good time to do a little comparison shopping. If you are going to be using natural gas or propane then there are usually several different providers that you can choose from. You water, garbage and sewer service will probably have to be with whichever company happens to service the location that you are moving to.

Disconnection Tips

In most cases you won't actually be disconnecting any services. You will merely be taking your name off of the account for the dwelling that you were living in. The new occupants will be setting up their new services and the utility companies will work with each of you in order to setup dates for connection and disconnection. They won't actually disconnect or reconnect. They will simply change the name on the account to the new owner or occupant of the dwelling. You shouldn't keep your name on the account any longer than is needed but you do want to make sure that the services will be in your name as long as you need them. If you get to your new location and the gas has been turned off then make sure that you have a technician there to turn on and check your appliances.

Final Word: Do make a checklist and start organizing your move as early as possible!

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