Illuminate your new and old homes during your move
You can maintain electricity service at two locations when you transfer service to your new home while keeping your old home connected for move-out flexibility.
Hiring movers costs $900 to $2,500, and overlapping utility bills add extra expenses, so budget for two electricity bills during your moving period.
Contact your electricity provider two to three weeks before moving to schedule overlapping service dates and confirm your new address for billing purposes.
Hiring a local moving company provides reliable help coordinating move dates and schedules, keeping your transition smooth while managing utility timing and moving logistics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
I recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingCouldn't have been a worse experience. 3 of my belongings were lost and 5 belongings were damaged. My furniture was clearly dragged across the ground. The movers couldn't move the furniture I paid extra heavy weight fees for so I had to help them move my own furniture. The manager gave me...
US Interstate and RailExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to move an electric meter depends on how far you’re moving it, whether it needs replacing, and the cost of labor near you.
Wondering how much it costs to move your house to a new spot? Check out our helpful cost guide to learn how to budget for this major home project.
If you’re moving, you need to consider distance, weight, packing, and more. Our guide provides the average cost to move a 3-bedroom house long distance.
Are you looking to move your home to a different lot or a different state? Some houses can be easier to move than others. Learn how to move a house and the cost of moving an entire home, what factors in the price, and whether it’s worth it or not.
While you’re busy packing your stuff, it’s easy to forget things like utilities during a move. Follow these steps to transfer utilities to your new home.
Wondering how to move into an apartment as efficiently as possible? Our checklist of apartment moving tips will help everything go smoothly.
