Few things make a first night in a new home miserable faster than discovering the power is off, the water heater is cold or the internet installer cannot come for three weeks. Utilities are easy to set up and easy to forget in the rush of closing. A little planning two or three weeks ahead takes care of it.
Find out what the home uses
Homes differ more than new buyers expect. Ask the seller or listing agent, and check the seller’s disclosure, for the full list:
- Electricity, and which company provides it.
- Heating fuel: natural gas, propane delivered to a tank, heating oil, or electric only.
- Water and sewer, which may be municipal, private well and septic, or a mix.
- Trash and recycling, which may be municipal, part of a tax bill, or a private hauler you must arrange.
- Internet and television providers available at the address, since not every company serves every street.
- Security monitoring, irrigation or any service tied to the house that transfers.
- Services included through a homeowners association, if any.
Also ask for the current providers’ names, the trash collection day, the location of the meters and shutoffs, and whether the seller is willing to share recent usage so you can set a budget.
Time the switchover
Schedule services to start in your name on the day before or the day of closing, and ask the seller to keep theirs active through closing so there is no gap. For your old home, stop or transfer services for the day after you move out, not the day of, in case the move runs long. A gap in power can mean a warm refrigerator and a dark house; a gap in heat in a cold snap can mean frozen pipes. If you are closing on a Friday, confirm everything earlier in the week.
Set up each account
- Call or go online with each provider two to three weeks ahead. Some require identification, a deposit or a credit check for new customers.
- Internet and television installation often requires an appointment and may book out, so schedule this one first.
- Propane and oil customers should arrange a delivery and ask whether the tank is owned or leased and how the remaining fuel is handled at closing; your agent can help settle this in the contract.
- Confirm whether service is a transfer of an existing account or a new connection, which can affect fees and timing.
- Ask for confirmation numbers and keep them in your moving folder.
On move-in day
Before the first box comes in, flip a light switch, run hot water for a minute, check that the heating or cooling responds to the thermostat, and confirm the stove works. Take photos of the electric, gas and water meters. Locate the main water shutoff and the electrical panel so you know where they are if something goes wrong on the first night. If anything is off, call the provider right away while offices are open.
In the first weeks
Once bills start arriving, set up payment methods and decide whether you want paperless statements. Compare the first few bills with what the seller shared, and if something looks far off, check for leaks, a running toilet or a thermostat set unexpectedly. Add each provider to your home record with the account number and contact information. Utilities become routine quickly, but the first month is when you learn what the house actually uses.
A Utility Setup Worksheet You Can Copy
Keeping every service on one page makes the switchover much less stressful. For each utility, write down the following, and fill it in as you make the calls:
- Provider name and the phone number or website you used to set up service.
- Start date at the new home and stop date at the old one.
- Account number and confirmation number.
- Deposit or setup fee, if any, and when a deposit may be returned.
- Installation appointment date and window, if one is needed.
- Who needs to be present for the appointment, and whether the installer needs access to the attic, crawl space or exterior.
Keep a copy in your phone as well as in the moving folder. On a hectic closing week, the ability to pull up a confirmation number in a parking lot is worth a lot.
Homes With Wells, Septic and Fuel Tanks
Many homes outside town limits rely on systems that the owner, rather than a utility company, is responsible for. If the home you are buying has any of these, a few extra steps belong on your list.
Private wells
- Ask where the well head is located and how the pump and pressure tank are powered.
- Consider having the water tested as part of your inspection period, and ask the seller for any past test results.
- Learn where the pressure tank and any filtration or softening equipment are, and how they are maintained.
Septic systems
- Ask for the location of the tank and drain field, and for any pumping or service records.
- Find out whether a septic inspection is customary or advisable in your area, and discuss timing with your agent.
- Avoid parking vehicles or planting trees over the drain field once you move in.
Propane and heating oil
- Clarify whether the tank is owned or leased; a leased tank usually means you must buy fuel from the leasing company.
- Ask whether the supplier offers automatic delivery or requires you to call when the tank is low.
- Learn how to read the tank gauge so you are never caught empty during a cold snap.
Mistakes That Leave New Owners in the Dark
- Assuming the seller’s internet provider serves you. Availability is address-specific. Check with providers directly before you cancel your current service.
- Canceling old service on moving day. If the truck runs late or a box gets left behind, you will be packing in the dark. Give yourself at least a day of overlap.
- Forgetting the final meter reading. Photograph the meters at the old home on the day you leave, too, so your final bill matches your actual use.
- Overlooking trash day. Moving creates a mountain of cardboard. Knowing the collection schedule and any recycling rules saves your garage from becoming a storage room.
- Skipping the deposit question. Some providers waive deposits with a letter of good payment history from your previous utility. It never hurts to ask.
Questions Buyers Ask About Utilities
Can I set up service before I own the home?
Yes. Most providers will schedule a start date in the future, and the closing date is a natural choice. If closing moves, call each provider to adjust.
What if the power is shut off when I arrive?
Call the electric provider first to confirm the account is active, then check the main breaker in the panel. If the seller turned off the main for safety when they left, it may simply need to be switched back on.
How do I estimate what the utilities will cost?
Ask the seller for recent bills or usage history, and remember that their household size, thermostat habits and schedule may differ from yours. Your first few bills will tell you more than any estimate.
