Can I Have Electricity in Two Houses While Moving?
Illuminate your new and old homes during your move
You might need electricity in two homes for moving flexibility.
You can transfer service or start a new electricity service at the same time.
If you move and keep your house on the market, you'll need electricity in two homes.
Yes, you can have electricity in two houses while moving. You can coordinate having electricity in your name in two houses by contacting the electricity provider and working with them to transfer your electricity contract to your new location. Read on to find out how to navigate the logistics of having electricity in two places at the same time.
How Can I Have Electricity in Two Houses While Moving?
First, you can have two or more residential electric bills in your name—each under a different address. If you’re moving and find that you need electricity at both addresses at the same time, there are a few steps to take to keep the lights on. Don’t forget to consult your local movers about scheduling move-in dates before contacting your utility company.
Moving Within the Same Service Area
If you’re moving within the same service area, you’ll need to call your current provider to transfer electricity service to your new home. You can have overlapping service dates so that the new home's start date and the old home's stop date are within the same time frame. You’ll receive two electricity bills for two different addresses.
Moving Outside Your Current Service Area
If you’re moving outside your current service area, you’ll need to call and set up a new account with a start date. Then, you’ll need to contact your current service provider and give them a stop date. These dates can overlap, and you can receive service from two different utility companies simultaneously.
Why Do I Need Electricity in Two Houses While Moving?
Moving isn’t always simple, and you might find yourself in a situation where you need electricity in two houses. There are several reasons why you might need double utility service, including:
Moving Overlap
If you’re moving out of one home and into another, you might need to have the utilities on in both places for a two-day overlap. You’ll have time to return to your home after moving for two days for move-out cleaning or to grab anything you need. Setting up electricity two days early in your new home gives you flexibility during your move—in case you need to bump up your moving day.
Selling Your Home
If you’re moving into a new home and selling your current home you’ll need electricity in both houses until a new owner moves in. At that time, the new owner can transfer services. You’ll have to budget appropriately to ensure you can pay both sets of utilities.
Primary Bill Payer
If you are the primary bill payer for a family member—say, your aging parent—and decide to move out, you can continue to have the electric bill in your name. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that the utility bills are getting paid in your former home.
Pros and Cons of Having Electricity in Two Homes While Moving
There are pros and cons if you have electricity in two homes while moving. A pro is that it provides you with flexibility. A con is that the costs can add up quickly. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros of Having Electricity in Two Houses
The primary benefit of keeping the lights on while moving is that it allows you flexibility for your moving date. If schedules get bumped, which happens frequently during the moving process, you don’t have to worry about utility services turning off before you’re ready. The double-electricity method also enables you to remain the primary bill payer at one location while moving to a new location.
Cons of Having Electricity in Two Houses
The cons of having electricity in two homes while moving are cost and organization. Hiring movers costs $900 to $2,500, so having to pay two electricity bills while moving can be cost-prohibitive and an extra expense during an already pricey process. Another con is organization and remembering to pay multiple utility bills at the same time.
Tips for Keeping Electricity in Two Houses While Moving
Staying organized while moving can be difficult. Here are some tips to keep your move and your electricity running as smoothly as possible:
Contact your current and new utility company at least two to three weeks in advance to set up and continue your service.
Give yourself at least two days before and after your move to keep your electricity running, especially if you need to return to your old home.
Turning on the electricity early at your new home allows you to turn on the lights and organize everything before you move in.
Keep your bills organized and provide your electricity company with your new address.
Before moving, call your electricity service providers to confirm the start and stop dates.
Find out if your utility company charges a transfer, re-connect, or disconnect fee for electricity service, and make sure to budget for the deposit or payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost to transfer utilities to a new house ranges from $10 to $200 or more, depending on the utility company’s pricing structure. In most cases, the final cost will be on the lower end of the price range. However, some homes may require the installation of new service lines or equipment, which increases the cost.
You can start the process to set up utilities before closing on a new current property, but most companies won’t turn on electricity or gas until after the closing date. You’ll also need proof of ownership to get things going. The best way to do this is to contact the utility company as soon as possible and keep them up to date on the sale status. We recommend making contact one or two weeks before the closing date.
It takes two days to two weeks to process a utility transfer. Contact the company at least two to four weeks before the move to ensure a smooth transition and avoid frustrating delays. Be sure to schedule a final meter reading at the current home before moving to the new one.
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