meter to manage utilities when moving

There are a lot of steps involved in moving to a new home. In addition to decluttering your old place, hiring professional movers, and packing up what you’re taking to your new dwelling, you’ll need to take care of key services at both addresses. To make help you cover all your bases, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manage utilities when moving.

Gather all of your information

Depending on whether you’re buying a house, purchasing a condo, or renting an apartment, your list of utilities will be a little different. For example, some landlords include services like water, gas, and electricity in their monthly rent, but you’ll almost certainly be responsible for these expenses if you’re purchasing your home. So a word to all the wise Chicago-area renters out there: find out exactly what’s included in your lease and what you’ll need to handle on your own.

Buying a house or condo means you’ll have to manage more utilities when moving. A best practice is to write down all the services you’ll need to take care of. Here’s a list of what to ask the condominium property management company or your new house’s real estate agent about:

  • Electricity
  • Natural gas
  • Water
  • Garbage and recycling pickup
  • Sewer (if applicable)
  • Phone service (if you have a landline)

And don’t forget to update your contact information with the services you personally use, including:

  • Insurance for health, dental, vision, auto, and homeowner’s or renter’s coverage
  • Doctors and dentists
  • Veterinarian practice
  • Cell phone
  • Internet
  • Credit cards
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Streaming services or cable
  • Subscription plans
  • Meal delivery services

Each person will have a unique list of utilities they’ll need to update with their new address before they start packing and prepping for move day. To make sure you don’t miss anything, take a look at your credit card bill or bank statement and write down an inventory of the services you’re paying for.

Contact your providers about six weeks in advance

Timing is crucial to successfully manage utilities when moving. Some providers require 30 days’ notice and might need to schedule a technician to come to one or both of your addresses to remove and/or install their service. If you have any of the utility companies’ equipment (i.e., a wireless router or cable box), you’ll need time to arrange its return. If at all possible, get in touch with the providers via phone, email, or online chat at least a month and a half before your move date. In most cases, this should be plenty of time for them to update their records and schedule any onsite visits.

Keep in mind that you might have to pay off your balance with old providers or prepay for new services before you leave your old place and arrive at your new one, so try to include any utility fees when you budget for your move.

Confirm the utility transfers as your move date approaches

A few days before your move date, make sure you’ve received confirmation of the service changes from each of your providers. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the companies to make sure they’re all set. You don’t want to overpay for service that should’ve been canceled at your old home or arrive at your new place to find you don’t have crucial utilities like electricity, water, and gas. A quick double-check will ease your mind and take that stress away come move day.

Contact information to help you manage utilities when moving in or around Chicago

The actual service providers will vary based on where you’re moving to and from. To make your life a little easier, here are the main utility companies in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs:

And here’s a bonus idea: be sure to update your mail delivery using the United States Postal Service change of address form.

Keep in mind that if you’re moving out of state, the utility providers will be different. Fortunately, the best movers in Chicago can give you advice on the Chicagoland services to switch from your old address to your new one as your move date approaches.

You manage your utilities and we’ll do the rest!

We know that moving to a new home can be a stressful experience, and we’re here to take as much off of your plate as possible. We’ll handle your packing, moving, and storage service so you can focus on how to manage utilities when moving.

Connect with us today to get a free estimate and to learn how we can help make your upcoming move a breeze!

"We want your junk in our trunk"

© 2020 Move-Tastic. All rights reserved. Website design by Bright Spot Studio Web development by Pernix Solutions