Take control of your utility setup with this 30-day moving checklist, and make sure you’ve covered everything by your moving day.
Moving home is stressful – in fact, research says it’s one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. For a full list of things to do when moving, check out our ultimate moving checklist (read it here).
This time, we wanted to give some dedicated attention to everything you need to do before your move to make sure your utilities are set up and ready to go on the day you move in.
Follow this step-by-step guide for the 30 days before your moving date, then relax knowing everything is sorted.
30 days before – Make a plan of attack
Good news – you’re already ahead of the game! The first step of getting your utilities set up is to make a plan, and this 30-day moving checklist is exactly that. Well done!
Top tip! Please Connect Me can set up all your essential utilities and services when you move, completely free. Save time, money and stress, and make the first step of your move by booking a free call with our team. Try it now – it’s free
28 days before – Choose a package and book your broadband installation
Internet access has become almost as essential as electricity, gas and water when it comes to setting up a new home. There are hundreds of different packages available from dozens of suppliers, so give yourself plenty of time to shop around and compare options.
While it might be tempting to stick with your current provider, most suppliers save their best deals for new customers. This means you can often save by switching to a new supplier. Not only that, as smaller broadband companies expand their networks, you might be able to connect to a new network that wasn’t available at your old home and enjoy higher speeds at a lower price.
Setting up a new broadband connection can take as long as two weeks (and up to four weeks where a new installation is required) so make sure to book your activation or installation well in advance.
26 days before – Update your insurance
Give your home and contents insurance provider plenty of notice about the move. You’ll have to update your address and amend your policy based on the details of your new home. You may also need to add extra cover to make sure your possessions are covered during the move itself.
22 days before – Close your current utility accounts
Contact your current suppliers for energy, water, Council Tax, broadband, TV and any other services to let them know you’re moving. Be sure to provide your new address to receive your final bills – these might include a refund of any overpayment you’ve made.
18 days before – Register for Council Tax
Registering with your local council is mandatory, and you’ll also need your account reference number to do things like register for a resident’s parking pass, or claim exemption if you’re a student.
14 days before – Switch energy suppliers
You need to be within two weeks of your move date to request a change of energy suppliers at your new home, and we recommend doing it as soon as possible to start paying the best price right away.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a tariff – once you’ve found the supplier that’s right for you, you can request that they take over the supply of gas and electricity at the property. The switchover is seamless, so don’t worry – you’ll never be left without power or heat in your new home.
7 days before – Register with your water supplier
You can’t choose your water supplier, so there’s no need to spend time shopping around. Instead, just find the water supplier for your area and let them know you’re moving in.
3 days before – Pay your TV licence
If you watch live TV at home, you must have a TV licence. You can either transfer your existing licence or set up a new licence to be active from the day you move in.
Day 0 – Moving Day
Even with the best preparation in the world, there are some things that you can’t do until you arrive in your new home on moving day. Before sitting down with a well-earned cup of tea, make sure that you:
- Take energy meter readings and send them to your supplier so you only pay for energy that you’ve used
- Find the stopcock and fusebox in case of emergency
- Relax! The hardest part is over. Now it’s time to unpack and wait for your opening bills to arrive.
