Feb 20, 2024
Water, electricity, and heating and cooling have become an integral part of life. In California, the summers can breach the 80°F mark in some areas. Most of us can’t imagine even a day without these essential services.
Thus, when you’re moving to a new location, you must ensure utilities are in place before you move in. This requires going through a short but pesky paperwork process. Although it’s a pain, doing so is essential.
As one of the best San Diego professional movers, in this article, we’ll show you how to schedule your utilities and services when relocating to the state of California.
As the relocation date nears, you need to transfer your utilities to your new location. Here are the steps involved:
Utilities for a home encompass essential services that contribute to daily living comfort. The specific utilities can vary depending on factors such as location, local regulations, and individual preferences.
Therefore, as most professional movers in San Diego would agree, the first step is to list out all the utilities you’d need at your new home.
Here’s a thorough list of common utilities and what is typically covered under each category:
Covered: Power for lighting, appliances, heating, cooling, and electronic devices.
Not Covered: Specialty electrical services for large appliances, like electric vehicle charging stations, may not be included.
Covered: Gas for heating, cooking, and hot water.
Not Covered: Propane gas services, which are separate if not provided as part of natural gas utilities.
Covered: Water supply for drinking, bathing, washing, and irrigation.
Not Covered: Water treatment or filtration systems, which may be additional services.
Covered: Wastewater removal and treatment.
Not Covered: Septic tank maintenance in homes not connected to a public sewer system.
Covered: Regular collection and disposal of household waste.
Not Covered: Specialized disposal services for hazardous materials or large items.
Covered: Broadband or high-speed internet connection.
Not Covered: Additional services like premium channels, on-demand content, or specific equipment (e.g., routers) may be separate.
Covered: Basic cable or satellite television services.
Not Covered: Premium channels, pay-per-view, or specialty sports packages may be additional.
Covered: Basic phone service.
Not Covered: International calling, additional phone lines, or premium features may incur extra charges.
Covered: The primary heating source for the home (e.g., gas or electric heating).
Not Covered: Alternative heating sources like fireplaces or space heaters may not be included.
Covered: Central air conditioning or other cooling systems.
Not Covered: Specialty cooling options, like portable air conditioners, may not be part of standard utilities.
Covered: Basic security monitoring services.
Not Covered: Additional security features, equipment upgrades, or home automation services may require separate subscriptions.
Covered: Community services and maintenance are covered by the HOA.
Not Covered: Some amenities or special assessments may be additional costs.
This is a comprehensive list, and you may not need all of them. It’s recommended that you evaluate the requirements beforehand and prepare the checklist before moving into your new home.
The next step is to list all the service providers you have. For some services like garbage collection, you have no choice but to seek service from the state. But for others, like gas and electricity, you can choose from a wide range of companies.
Utilities companies in California are regulated by various state and federal agencies to ensure fair practices, reliability, and adherence to environmental standards.
If you’re moving in from outside California, here are a few utility service providers to consider:
One of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States, PG&E serves Northern and Central California. PG&E offers various energy efficiency programs and supports renewable energy initiatives.
SCE is a major electric utility serving Southern California. It emphasizes renewable energy integration and provides programs to help customers reduce energy consumption.
SDG&E serves San Diego and southern Orange counties. It focuses on sustainability, offering programs to promote clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle adoption.
Cal Water is one of the largest water utility providers in California, serving communities throughout the state. It emphasizes water conservation and infrastructure improvements.
AT&T is a major telecommunications provider in California, offering a range of internet, phone, and television services. It is known for its extensive network coverage.
Comcast is a leading cable and internet service provider in California, offering high-speed internet, cable television, and phone services. It focuses on providing reliable connectivity and a range of entertainment options.
After you have the options at hand, you need to make a crucial decision: whether to continue with your existing service provider or switch to a new one.
In either case, you need to contact your existing service providers.
Reach out to each utility provider by phone or through their customer service portal. Inform them of your intent to terminate services or transfer to a new location. Inquire about the specific steps and requirements for the process.
If you’re terminating, coordinate with each utility provider to schedule the disconnection of services. Provide your move-out date and any other information requested by the provider to facilitate a smooth termination process.
Finally, settle any outstanding balances on your account. Ensure that all bills are paid up to the termination date. Some providers may not process the termination until outstanding payments are resolved.
If you want to transfer the service to the new location, there’s a process for that, too. And it’s different for each service provider.
For Pacific Gas and Electric Company, all you need to do is log in to your account and navigate to the “Start or Stop Service” page. You’ll find the “Transfer Service” option. Complete the formalities to have the service transferred to your new location.
Other companies have more or less the same procedure in place.
Now, before setting up utilities at the new location, there’s a small but crucial step. This is to ensure you have the correct address updated.
Many people make the mistake of providing the incorrect details. This results in delays that can easily be avoided.
Thus, double-check the new address before forwarding it to the service provider. This would ensure swift and timely installation.
Finally, you need to schedule the set-up dates so the installers can come in, lay out the infrastructure, and start the service.
Depending on the company, it can take anywhere from a day to a week to get the installation done. Therefore, contact the companies at least a week in advance to ensure timely services.
It’s essential for consumers to research and compare service providers based on their specific needs, coverage areas, and the unique features each provider offers. Additionally, consider customer reviews and satisfaction ratings to make informed decisions.
Keep in mind that the utilities landscape is dynamic, and service providers may evolve their offerings over time.
That being said, scheduling your utilities and services when moving isn’t painstaking. But it does require attention to detail and timeliness. Oakley Relocation takes the pain away of moving stuff so you can focus on important tasks like utilities. Contact us today to learn more about your service packages and offerings!
