Moving utilities checklist

Moving utilities checklist: transfer, cancel and set up every service

A moving utilities checklist helps you avoid arriving at a home without power or internet—and prevents paying for services after you leave. The key is to separate utilities that must stay active through moving day from services that can be transferred, cancelled or activated in advance. Use this utility transfer checklist to plan the old address and the new one side by side.

Add utilities to my moving plan

Three to four weeks before: list every utility at both addresses

Create a complete inventory of household services before contacting providers. Typical utilities include electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash or recycling, internet, television, landline service and any building-specific services. Add security monitoring, solar billing, fuel delivery or community services if they apply to your home.

Next to each service, record the provider, account number, old-address stop date, new-address start date and whether the service can be transferred or requires a new account. This turns a vague utilities-to-change-when-moving task into a schedule you can actually follow.

Check what the property manages

Renters and apartment residents may have water, waste, heating or other services included in rent or managed by the building. Confirm this before opening duplicate accounts.

Separate transfer from cancellation

A provider may serve both addresses and transfer the account, or the new home may require a completely different company. Ask which process applies before choosing dates.

Two to three weeks before: schedule electricity, gas and water

Book the new-home start date early enough that essential service is available when you arrive. Keep electricity and water active at the old home through the final walkthrough, cleaning and handoff. If gas is used for heat, hot water or cooking, coordinate its timing with the property and provider.

Ask whether activation requires an in-person appointment, access to the property, a deposit or identity verification. New construction, vacant properties and first-time accounts can sometimes take longer than a simple transfer.

Avoid a service gap

When possible, overlap essential utilities briefly rather than ending the old service before the move is complete. The final day often still requires lights, water and cleaning.

Confirm who reads the meter

Ask whether the provider will take the final reading or whether you should submit one. Keep a dated photo when a customer reading is accepted.

Two to three weeks before: book internet and connectivity

Internet installation often deserves its own place on a moving utilities checklist because appointment availability can be limited. Check which providers serve the new address, compare the actual speed available there and book installation or equipment delivery before moving week.

If you work from home, study online or rely on connected devices, plan a backup connection for the first days. Confirm whether your current router or modem moves with you, must be returned, or will be replaced at the new address.

Check the exact address

Coverage can vary by building or even unit. Verify service using the full new address rather than assuming a provider covers the whole neighborhood.

Return old equipment

Keep receipts when returning routers, modems, television boxes or other rented equipment so unreturned-device charges are easier to dispute.

One to two weeks before: handle waste, security and secondary services

Arrange trash and recycling where those services are billed separately, and learn the collection schedule at the new address. If your old home has private waste, propane, heating oil, water delivery or another recurring household service, cancel or transfer it with the correct final date.

Update home security, monitoring, smart-home subscriptions and any service linked to the physical property. If equipment stays behind, clarify ownership and cancellation terms before moving day.

Check recurring autopay

A cancelled service can still have a final invoice after the move. Keep the account accessible until the last bill has been issued and paid correctly.

Review building services

Apartments and managed communities may require separate registration for parking, access systems, package lockers or resident portals even when they are not traditional utilities.

Moving day: record readings and confirm shutoff dates

Before leaving the old property, photograph accessible electricity, gas or water meters when doing so is safe and relevant. Keep the images with the final account confirmations. Check that the service end date matches the handoff date and that the provider has your forwarding contact information for the final bill.

At the new home, verify that electricity, water, heating or gas and internet are working as expected. Report missing service or account problems immediately rather than discovering them after business hours.

Do a final account check

Confirm the old address, new address, stop date and start date on each provider’s confirmation. Small date errors can create double billing or service gaps.

Keep final bills

Save the final statement from the old home until you know the account is closed with no remaining balance or equipment charge.

First week after moving: audit the new setup

Review each utility account after the move. Make sure the service address, billing address, plan and payment method are correct. If you used temporary internet or other backup arrangements, cancel them when they are no longer needed.

Add the first billing dates to your budget so deposits, activation charges or overlapping service periods do not become surprises. GOkaven’s moving budget can keep those planned and actual costs next to the rest of your moving tasks.

Check for duplicate billing

If the same provider served both homes, confirm the old service really closed and the new service is attached to the correct account or address.

Update your moving budget

Record deposits, installation fees, final bills and first new-home bills so the true cost of the move is visible rather than scattered across accounts.

Utilities to change when moving

Electricity
Natural gas or heating service
Water and sewer
Trash and recycling
Internet
Television or landline service
Home security or monitoring
Propane, heating oil or fuel delivery
Solar or energy-service account
Building or community services
Schedule old-address stop dates
Schedule new-address start dates
Book required installation appointments
Return rented provider equipment
Record final meter readings when relevant
Check final bills and deposits

GOkaven places utility tasks on your moving timeline and keeps them beside your address changes, packing plan and budget, so shutoff dates, activation dates and moving costs are easier to manage together.

Add utilities to my moving plan

Frequently asked questions

When should I transfer utilities when moving?

Start contacting providers about two to four weeks before the move, especially when an installation appointment is required. Keep essential service active at the old home through the final handoff.

What utilities do I need to change when moving?

Common services include electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, recycling and internet. Depending on the property, you may also need television, landline, security, fuel delivery, solar or building-managed services.

Should I turn off utilities before moving day?

Usually not before you are finished with the property. Electricity and water are often needed for cleaning, the final walkthrough and safe loading. Choose the stop date based on your actual handoff.

How do I avoid paying utilities at two homes?

Record confirmed stop and start dates for every provider, keep final bills and check the old account after the move. A short overlap can be useful, but it should be intentional.

What should I do with internet equipment when I move?

Ask the provider whether your modem, router or television equipment should move with you or be returned. Keep return receipts for rented equipment.

Keep planning your move

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