Setting Up Your Utilities: What You Need to Know

Aside from purchasing your home, setting up your utilities is among the most important tasks involved in your move. 

But how do you know what your options are and that you’re getting a good deal? And when should you set the process in motion?  

The reality is, moving is stressful enough as it is. Getting your utilities lined up in advance helps alleviate some of the pressure and ensures your move-in day is as seamless as possible. By setting up your utilities well beforehand, you won’t be left scrambling to use your phone as a flashlight or ordering takeout six days in a row.  

Sounds like a lot of work? When you book a move with United Van Lines, it’s easier than you might think. 

Setting Up Utilities Made Easy

Reach out to your water, electric, gas and waste management companies between three and four weeks before your move-in date. This gives the utility companies plenty of time to set up your home. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your home is up and running when you arrive.  

It’s much better to be safe than sorry when it comes to essentials like power, running water and an appropriately warm/cool home.

Cable, Internet and TV Services Simplified 

We live in an ultra-connected world, one with multiple, internet-dependent “smart” devices that must be online all the time. When you have many devices connected at once, however, your overall internet connection can suffer without the right service.  

If you have a household that’s larger than just one or two people, it may be wise to choose an internet plan that’s somewhere between the slowest and fastest options. 

If you choose an internet plan below 300 Mbps, you might run into lag or connectivity issues, especially when multiple people are using the internet at the same time. Add that to the fact you may not realize your neighbors are using the internet at the same time, slowing your connection further — especially during high-traffic times, like after dinner.  

On the other hand, if you choose the fastest internet plan that’s 1000 Mbps, there’s a decent chance you’ll pay for speed you don’t need. Of course, if you work from home — or frequently engage in bandwidth-intensive activities like video conferencing or online gaming — you should opt for gig or even multi-gig plans. You may even want to consider signing up for fiber internet for a consistently fast, reliable connection. 

The same “Goldilocks,” middle-ground approach applies to TV plans. While some households out there do demand a TV provider’s top-tier plan, it’s overkill for others. 

Want another money-saving tip? Be sure to examine your TV bill because you may well be paying for extra cable boxes, subscriptions and even premium networks that you barely watch — or didn’t know you had.  

Since you’re starting fresh during your move, you may want to swap your high-tier plan for something more modest. Then, consider replacing what you’ve “lost” with an on-demand streaming service, like HBO Max or Netflix, which will likely save some dough. 

Want more moving tips and tricks? Be sure to visit our blog for helpful advice on packing and preparing for your move.