Start essential services first
Electricity supports cooling, refrigeration, lighting, alarms, and many water or septic systems. Water is needed for sanitation and for checking fixtures safely. Never request a shutoff on another person's active account.
- Confirm the date responsibility begins.
- Verify the electric and water providers for the complete address.
- Schedule start or transfer service with confirmation numbers.
- Ask whether an in-person appointment, deposit, or document is required.
Treat internet as an installation project
Internet may require an address check, equipment shipment, technician visit, building access, or landlord approval. Provider-reported availability does not guarantee that a specific unit is ready.
- Check the exact address with the FCC map and provider tools.
- Confirm technology and the earliest installation date.
- Ask about wiring, drilling, equipment, and access rules.
Know the local routines before boxes arrive
Confirm trash and recycling responsibility, moving-box rules, and collection days. Save the county emergency page, confirmed electric outage map, and water or sewer emergency number.
- Find the current collection schedule.
- Plan for flattened moving boxes and bulk items.
- Save official outage and emergency contacts offline.