How to Set Up Utilities in Your First Home

February 11, 2026 · EPM Labs

You’ve signed the lease or closed on the house. Moving day is approaching. And somewhere on your to-do list — probably way too far down — is “set up utilities.”

This is one of those tasks that feels straightforward until you actually do it. There are more accounts to open than you’d expect, some of them take days to activate, and missing one means sitting in a dark apartment wondering why the internet isn’t working.

Here’s your complete guide to getting everything set up — ideally before you move in.

When to Start: 2-3 Weeks Before Move-In

Don’t wait until moving week. Some utilities require scheduling, deposits, or installation appointments. Start the process at least two weeks before your move-in date.

Your timeline:

3 weeks out: Research providers, schedule internet installation
2 weeks out: Contact electric, gas, and water companies
1 week out: Confirm all activation dates, test if possible
Move-in day: Verify everything works

The Essential Utilities

1. Electricity

Who to contact: Your local electric company. In most areas, there’s only one option (it’s a regulated monopoly). Your landlord or real estate agent can tell you which company serves your address.

What you’ll need:

Your new address and move-in date
Social Security number (for the credit check)
A deposit ($100-300) if you have no credit history with them
Previous address

Timeline: Usually can be activated same-day or next-day with a phone call or online request. No installation needed — you’re just transferring the account to your name.

Pro tip: Ask if you can set up budget billing, which averages your annual usage into equal monthly payments. It makes budgeting much easier — no surprise $250 bills in August.

2. Natural Gas

Who to contact: Your local gas company (again, usually only one option).

What you’ll need: Same as electricity — address, SSN, deposit if needed.

Important: If gas service was disconnected (common in vacant homes), you’ll need to schedule a technician to come turn it on and relight pilot lights. This can take 3-7 business days, so plan ahead. You do NOT want to move in during winter without heat.

Pro tip: Ask about any safety inspections they do at activation. It’s usually free and gives you peace of mind about gas lines and connections.

3. Water and Sewer

Who to contact: Your city or municipal water department.

For renters: Water is often included in rent or handled by the landlord. Check your lease before setting up your own account.

For homeowners: You’ll need to transfer the account to your name. Contact your city’s utility department with your closing documents.

Timeline: Usually same-day activation.

4. Trash and Recycling

Who to contact: Your city (if municipal) or a private hauler.

For renters: Almost always included in rent for apartments. For house rentals, check your lease.

For homeowners: Contact your city to find out if pickup is municipal or if you need to choose a private company. Some areas give you no choice; others have multiple providers.

Pro tip: Ask about the pickup schedule and any rules about bin placement. Some cities fine you for leaving bins out too long.

5. Internet

Who to contact: This one you actually get to choose (usually). Research providers in your area.

Options to compare:

Fiber (if available): Fastest, most reliable, often competitive pricing
Cable: Widely available, good speeds
DSL: Slower, but sometimes cheaper
Fixed wireless/5G home internet: Increasingly available, no installation needed

What you’ll need: Your address, the plan you want, and often a scheduled installation appointment.

Timeline: This is the one that takes longest. Installation appointments can be 1-3 weeks out, especially for fiber or cable that requires a technician visit. Schedule this first.

Pro tips:

Don’t rent the modem/router from your ISP — buy your own. It pays for itself in 6-10 months.
Ask about new customer promotions, but read the fine print on rate increases after the promo period.
Check if your building has any existing wiring that limits your options.

6. Phone

If you’re keeping your cell phone plan (you almost certainly are), no action needed. But consider:

Do you need a landline? Probably not, unless your area has poor cell coverage.
Update your address with your cell carrier for accurate billing and 911 services.

Optional But Important

Renter’s Insurance / Homeowner’s Insurance

Not a utility, but set it up at the same time. Renter’s insurance is $15-30/month and covers your belongings, liability, and temporary housing if your apartment becomes unlivable. Homeowner’s insurance is required by your lender and should be active at closing.

Security System

If you want one, research options before move-in. Modern systems like Ring, SimpliSafe, or ADT can usually be self-installed and don’t require hardwiring.

Streaming and Subscriptions

Update your billing address on all subscription services. Some services (like local news streaming) may change based on your location.

Setting Up for Renters vs. Homeowners

Renters

Check your lease for which utilities are included
Ask your landlord which providers serve the building
Some buildings have bulk internet or cable deals
Your landlord handles water and trash in most apartments
You typically handle: electric, gas (if applicable), internet, renter’s insurance

Homeowners

You handle everything
Transfer all existing accounts at closing
Update your homeowner’s insurance to reflect actual move-in
Register for city services (trash, recycling, yard waste)
Consider a home warranty for appliance/system coverage

The Utility Setup Checklist

Here’s your quick-reference list. Check each one off as you go:

Electricity — activated for move-in date
Gas — activated, technician scheduled if needed
Water — transferred or confirmed with landlord
Trash/recycling — confirmed service and schedule
Internet — provider chosen, installation scheduled
Renter’s or homeowner’s insurance — active
Mail forwarding — set up with USPS (usps.com, takes $1.10)
Address updated — bank, credit cards, employer, subscriptions, DMV
Cell phone address — updated for billing and 911

Budgeting for Utilities

If you’re moving from a situation where utilities were included (dorm, living with parents, all-inclusive rent), prepare for the sticker shock. Average monthly utility costs for a one-bedroom apartment:

Electric: $60-150
Gas: $30-80
Water/sewer: $30-60 (if not included)
Internet: $50-80
Trash: $20-40 (if not included)
Total: $190-410/month

For a house, expect 30-50% more than apartment costs due to more square footage.

Build these into your monthly budget from day one. Our apartment budget calculator can help you see how utilities fit into your overall spending plan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting too long to schedule internet — It’s the slowest to set up. Do it first.
Forgetting to cancel utilities at your old address — You’ll keep getting billed.
Not reading your lease — Some utilities might already be included.
Skipping mail forwarding — Important documents will go to your old address for months.
Not taking meter readings — On move-in day, photograph your electric and gas meters so you’re not charged for the previous tenant’s usage.

You’ve Got This

Setting up utilities isn’t hard — it’s just a lot of small tasks that need to happen in the right order. Give yourself two to three weeks, work through the checklist, and you’ll walk into your new place with the lights on, the water running, and the WiFi connected.

That’s a pretty good feeling.

📦 Want the complete toolkit? The New Homeowner Starter Kit ($14.99) gives you utility setup, maintenance schedules, and a complete first-year homeowner guide. One download, everything you need.

💡 Settling into your new home? Don’t forget outdoor maintenance — Lush Lawns has seasonal lawn care schedules for every region, so you know exactly what to do and when.

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