Walk into a home that's already on.

⚡ Electricity & gas

Usually the same provider handles both, but not always — check a recent bill or ask your landlord, agent, or seller who serves the address.

• Find your provider: search "[new address] electric utility" or ask the property manager. In deregulated states you may choose among competing suppliers.
• What to have ready: the service address, your move-in date, a photo ID, and sometimes a Social Security number for a credit check.
• Ask about: start date, deposit requirements (common for new accounts — often waived with good credit or auto-pay), and average monthly cost for the address.
• At the old place: schedule disconnection for the day after you move out, and take a photo of the final meter reading.

💧 Water & sewer

Water is almost always a municipal utility — one provider, no shopping around.

• Find your provider: your city or county's website, usually under "utilities" or "public works."
• What to have ready: service address, move-in date, ID, and sometimes proof of ownership or lease.
• Ask about: trash and recycling — many cities bundle it with the water bill, which saves you a separate setup call.
• Renters: in many apartments water is included in rent or billed through the landlord — confirm before you open an account you don't need.

🌐 Internet, TV & phone

The one utility that needs the most lead time — technician appointments book up, especially at month-end.

• Check availability first: enter the new address on provider websites to see which services (fiber, cable, DSL, 5G home) actually reach it. Don't assume your old provider serves the new place.
• Book 2–3 weeks out: installation appointments are the bottleneck. Ask whether a self-install kit is available — it's faster and often free.
• What to ask: actual (not "up to") speeds at your address, equipment fees, contract vs. no-contract pricing, and data caps.
• Moving with the same provider? Many offer free or cheap transfer service — call and ask before opening a brand-new account.

🗑️ Trash & recycling

• City service: often bundled with water — check when you set up the water account.
• Private haulers: in some areas you choose your own; neighbors or a local community group can tell you who serves the street.
• Ask about: pickup days, cart sizes, recycling rules, and bulk-item pickup (you'll have moving boxes to recycle — lots of them).

🔑 Renters vs. owners — who sets up what?

• Renters: your lease spells out which utilities are your responsibility. Common split: you handle electric and internet; landlord handles water and trash. Read the lease before calling anyone.
• Owners: everything is yours — electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet. Budget for deposits on new accounts.

Your utility call script

Copy this into your notes before you dial:

• "Hi, I'm moving to [address] on [date] and I'd like to start service."
• "What's the deposit, and can it be waived with auto-pay?"
• "What's the typical monthly bill for this address?"
• "Can you confirm the start date in writing — email or text?"