How to Set Up Home Utilities Before Moving In

Relocation day brings many variables to consider, but one of the most important is ensuring that you’ll have working utilities when you arrive at your new home or apartment. Without electricity, running water, or garbage service, it’ll be hard to enjoy your new place. Fortunately, getting your utilities set up is pretty straightforward. Let’s break down the various steps involved. 

Step One: Determine Your Providers

The first step to setting up new utilities is to find out who will be in charge of your service. Look up the different utilities (e.g., electricity, water, and garbage) and add your new town if you’re unsure. For example, you can look up electric services in Los Angeles. Be sure to know all of the utilities you’ll need, including: 

  • Electricity
  • Water and Sewer
  • Internet
  • Natural Gas
  • Garbage

For example, water and garbage might be part of your rent if you’re moving into an apartment. However, if you’re moving into a house, you’ll have to set up everything yourself. 

Step Two: Figure Out if You’re Transferring or Starting New Service

If you’re moving across town, you might be able to use the same company for your utilities. In that case, you just have to transfer the service from one address to another. However, if you’re moving out of state or to a new country, you’ll have to set up utilities with brand-new companies. 

In either case, you’ll need to provide the utility company with your date of cancellation and new start date for service. Realistically, you want to have these dates overlap a little bit for some extra safety. This way, if anything shifts or changes with your moving plans, you’re not stuck without service in either location.

So, for example, if you’re planning on moving on the first of the month, you can set your cancellation date for the third and your new start date for the last day of the previous month (provided the previous owners have canceled their services and vacated.) When doing this, make sure to ask if you’ll have to pay any extra fees for adding a few days. If so, you might need to limit the overlap, so you don’t spend more than necessary. 

Step Three: Double-Check Your Utilities on Moving Day

As you’re moving into your new place, be sure to test all of your utility services. Most of these will be easy to check, as you can turn on the faucet or a light switch. However, keep in mind that the previous owners might still have service, so just because something is working doesn’t mean that the utility is under your name. Instead, call your utility provider to verify that your account is set up for your new address. While this step may seem redundant, it’s better to be sure than to experience an outage because of a lack of service. 

Step Four: Don’t Forget to Cancel Your Old Utilities

After your stuff is moved to your new home or apartment, be sure to call your old provider to verify that your account is canceled. If you’re transferring service from one address to the next, you don’t have to do this step. Again, this process might seem redundant, but you don’t want to wind up with a bill for service that you’re not receiving. 

Get Moving Help Today

Setting up utilities is one part of a much larger puzzle. So don’t let the moving experience stress you out! We’re here to help with expert services and benefits. Contact us today to see what we can offer. 

Inexpensive Ways to Boost Curb Appeal to Help Your Home Sell Quickly

First impressions of your home matter, especially when trying to sell a home before a relocation. However, boosting curb appeal can go a long way towards impressing potential buyers. Houses with good curb appeal can increase a home’s value by 7% or more, and it doesn’t involve emptying your bank account or taking out a home equity loan. Here are five inexpensive ways to boost your home’s curb appeal and help it to move faster on the market.

1. Paint (or Replace) the Front Door

Ideally, you want the front door to be in tip-top shape. In many cases, all this requires is a new coat of paint if the door is still in good condition. However, replacing it would be a worthwhile investment if a door is warped, dented, or otherwise damaged. In addition, a home’s front door is its welcome mat (which, btw a new one would also be an excellent inexpensive addition), so you want it to look its best.

2. Invest in Landscaping

A little landscaping goes a long way. Homeowners that take the time to keep their lawns, gardens, and other outdoor spaces tidy demonstrate to buyers that they take pride in their homes, both inside and out. Easy remedies done either by hiring a professional or by taking the DIY route include:

  • Routine mowing
  • Spreading new grass seed to fill in “bald spots”
  • Pruning trees and shrubs
  • Adding color with florals
  • Spreading fresh mulch
  • Removing weeds and dead branches

Are you selling a home in the off-season? In that case, you’ll want to clear fallen leaves, keep any snow neatly plowed, and add seasonal plants to your entryway, along with these five additional tips.

3. Install a New Mailbox or Spruce Up an Existing One

A mailbox is one of the first things home seekers see as they pull up to the house. If the existing mailbox is dingy, replace it with a new one. However, freshen its post with fresh paint or stain and add new house numbers if the box is in good condition. Another way to boost its appearance is to frame a small garden around the mailbox and plant some color or pretty groundcover greenery.

4. Clean Up the Driveway and Walkways

Driveways with oil spots or other stains are unsightly. Apply a good cleaner or other remedy to clean off concrete surfaces and give it a power wash. For a blacktop driveway, have a professional come clean and reseal it.

5. Clear Out Gutters

Gutters stuffed with leaves and other debris not only look terrible, but they can also lead to destructive events affecting the home. Routinely clean out gutters and ensure rainwater and melted snow can flow easily. If water backs up, it can lead to sagging gutters, water flow inside the home, algae growth, and, eventually, mold problems. Buyers who see overflowing gutters will likely think the house is poorly maintained.

Moving Made Easy

Homeowners looking to make a quick sale on their house can help the process by boosting the curb appeal of their home by making a few minor, aesthetic changes. If you want to sell your home quickly without breaking the bank, try the above tips because buyers see more worth in homes that look nice.

Are you looking to move to your new home? Contact us today for a free quote! We’re happy to work with you within your selling and buying timeline.