At STI Moving & Storage, we understand that moving can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first move or your tenth, every relocation takes careful planning and comes with what feels like endless to-do lists. But whether you’re moving for a job, settling into your dream home or heading to a bucket-list destination, there are important tasks you need to check off before you move.

One of those tasks? Canceling utilities when moving. Luckily, STI Moving & Storage is here to guide you with a handy moving checklist for utilities and home services. Keep reading for an easy-to-follow utilities moving checklist, along with helpful reminders to keep you organized before, during and after your move.

Before You Move Out

You might be able to wait until moving day to contact your utility providers. However, as a general rule of thumb, try to notify all providers at least two weeks before your planned moving date. This gives enough time to handle any issues, pay your final bills and close the accounts in your name or transfer them to the new owner before you move.

It’s also important to notify service providers, such as home cleaning or lawn care companies and government agencies, like the Postal Service, about your move. Take a look at a full list of utility providers, home services and important parties you will need to contact before your move.

Disconnect Existing Utility Services

Below are some of the main utility and home services you should plan to cancel or disconnect before moving day.

Disconnect

  • Cable or satellite TV
  • Internet service
  • Gas or oil supply
  • Electricity
  • Water service
  • Garbage pickup
  • Recycling service
  • Landline phone
  • Home fax line
  • Security system
  • Lawn care service
  • House cleaning service

Notify Important Parties

After you’ve reached out to your utility and home service providers, the next step is to inform important parties about your move. This can include government agencies, healthcare providers and others who need your updated information.

Here are a few relevant parties to contact ahead of your move:

  • Government Agencies: Update your address with agencies like the DMV, IRS and Social Security Administration. You’ll also need to update your voter registration.
  • Postal Service: Inform your local post office that you’ll be moving and set up mail forwarding before moving day. Mail forwarding sends your mail from your old address to your new one, making sure you don’t miss anything important in the weeks after your move.
  • Financial Institutions: Reach out to your bank, credit card companies, mortgage or auto loan provider and any other financial institutions to inform them about your upcoming move. You may need to provide documents to officially update your address, so ask your institution for details.
  • Insurance providers: Notify your home, auto and health insurance providers about your upcoming change of address.
  • Subscription Services: For television streaming services, magazines, cleaning products, vitamins and supplements, prescriptions, pet food, and any other subscriptions, make sure to update your address. An easy way to get a full list is to review your bank or credit card statement for recurring charges.
  • Memberships: Be sure to cancel your membership at your gym and any other clubs you belong to—preferably before your account is charged for the next month.
  • Healthcare Providers: If you’re staying in the same area and only changing addresses, make sure your doctors, specialists, dentists and any other healthcare providers know about your move.
  • Schools: Inform your children’s schools about your upcoming move and request any documents needed to register them for classes at your new location.
  • Employer: Give your company’s human resources team your updated contact information.
  • Friends and Family: Lastly, make sure your friends and family have your new address. It may seem like a small detail, but it’s easy to forget to share your new location during the busy moving process.

After Your Move: Reconnect Your Services

Once your move is complete, there are still a few things left to check off your moving checklist. Make sure to activate or reconnect the following home services and utilities:

Reconnect

  • Cable or satellite TV
  • Internet service
  • Gas or oil supply
  • Electricity
  • Water service
  • Garbage pickup
  • Recycling service
  • Landline phone
  • Home fax line
  • Security system
  • Lawn care service
  • House cleaning service

Simplify Your Move with STI Moving & Storage

Moving checklists can feel tiring, but moving itself is exciting! It marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life and a chance to create new memories in a place you love. However, the process can be challenging. Thankfully, having the right moving partner can make everything easier. If you’re preparing to move, turn to the most trusted moving company in the U.S. for affordable and efficient support.