Relocate With Kids

Shifting all your utility accounts can be a challenge, especially because it often requires scheduling several days of appointments with service personnel in a strange city. Here’s a checklist to make sure you get everything done in an orderly fashion.

Telecommunications

There are several items that fall into this category, and these days, you can often find a great deal by looking at bundled services. Try to find the strongest local provider of:

• Home phone service - If you still feel the need for land line service, and many young people are opting out in favor of cell phones, you’ll want to get the lowest price package you can. There are plenty of other ways to talk to people, including Skype and other Voice over IP services that could save you a lot of money. However, these services depend on you having quality internet access and a power source - something that could disappear in an extended blackout. Your security system (if you have one) may rely on hardwired land lines, though, to contact the police or fire department in an emergency.
• Mobile phone service - If you travel only in the US, you probably will be happy with Verizon Wireless. If you want an iPhone, it’s AT&T. If you travel internationally, you’ll need a GSM carrier which would be AT&T or T-Mobile in the US.
• Cable - try to find a service that includes some sort of DVR function and evaluate the different channel packages to pick the one that meets your family’s needs. Ask a few neighbors to find the leading providers if you are moving into a new market area.
• Internet access - we’ve had great luck with high speed cable internet access. But you might want to check out a wireless card if you have a laptop and want to be able to access the internet on the go. At this point, using dial up might save you a few dollars a month, but you’ll want to pull your own fingernails out. Isn’t your time worth more?

Don’t forget to cancel your existing service in your old home and return any equipment (cable boxes, DSL connectors, remotes) to the appropriate service centers to avoid unnecessary charges.

Gas

This is typically a one provider per market area kind of utility. Your real estate agent or landlord should be able to provide contact information. Cancel your service contract in your old home and start it up in your new home starting the day you arrive. Usually, this appointment can take a week or two to schedule depending on the company, so call early.

Oil

Often there are several providers in a given town. It can pay to shop around and see who will give you the most opportune rate. Often they will agree to lock your rate for a certain time period to protect your budget from untimely increases. The can be great for a year, but could shock you at the end of the year when prices have risen and your provider needs to catch up on profit. Cancel your service contract in your old home and call to schedule a new service before you arrive at your new home, especially if you live in cold winter states. Ask for a few bids before signing a contract, and ask around for referrals from real estate agents, neighbors, co-workers, friends or relatives in the area. Price is not the only issue. My boiler exploded and leaked all over my basement on the coldest day of December the day before my first son was due to be born. Our awesome oil service provider had someone at the house by 8AM and had sourced and installed a new boiler by noon. You’ll want the same commitment to service too.

Electric

This is another must call right away. Cancel your old service and call to set up your new service to start on the day you arrive. You’ll need this for most of the other work in the house to occur, so make sure this one is one of your first calls.

Water

This is typically a one provider per market area kind of utility. Your real estate agent or landlord should be able to provide contact information. Cancel your service contract in your old home and start it up in your new home starting the day you arrive. Usually, this is just a phone call, but why not call ahead. You’ll definitely want water, right?

Sewer

This is typically a one provider per market area kind of utility. Your real estate agent or landlord should be able to provide contact information. Cancel your service contract in your old home and start it up in your new home starting the day you arrive. Usually, this is just a phone call, but why not call ahead. You’ll definitely want to flush, right?

Department of Motor Vehicles

If your move is in state, you’ll just need to update your address. Depending on your state, you should be able to do this online or with a quick form at the DMV. If you are moving out of state, you’ll likely need to go through the getting a license process again. Most states honor out of state licenses and don’t require a driving test, but they will require a written test to make sure you are acquainted with the laws in your new state. It’s a good idea to do this quickly after you arrive to avoid incidents or penalties. Check with your state’s website for DMV links.

Exterminator

If you have a regular service contract, you’ll want to cancel it. You may want to wait it out a season or two before setting up an unnecessary contract in your new home. Perhaps you’ll have no pests and you will save money. Or, perhaps you’ll get pests you didn’t expect and you’ll be happy to set up the contract that is tailor made to your pestly needs when the time is right.

Insurance

Depending on your situation, you’ll need to make sure you have insurance to protect your cars, home, belongings, and health. Speak to your insurance agent to update your policies, and if you are moving to a new state, see if they are licensed in your new state. If they aren’t, they can probably refer you to another qualified company or agent. If your policies are handled by an old and new agent, the old policies should be canceled just as the new ones take effect.

Banking

If your bank does not have branches or ATMs in your new area, you are probably going to face a load of new fees if you don’t transfer accounts to a new bank. You can do this by setting up a new account with a popular bank in your new community, transferring money for monthly expenses to that account and stopping spending in the old account. Once all checks have cleared on the old account, you can transfer or write yourself a check for the rest of the money and shut down the old account. There are great deals in banking now, so it could be a great financial move for you to make a clean break.

Doctors and Dentists

Call your current doctors and dentists and ask them to make copies of your records. Pick them up before you move and make sure your bills are current. In your new location, ask people you trust for recommendations, confirm that they are on your health plan, and bring your records on your first visit. You’ll probably want to know the location of a good walk-in clinic and the nearest ER as well, just in case you need it in a pinch.

Gym, Extracurriculars and/or Recreation Center

Your family is probably involved in a variety of activities that need to be canceled or notified when you move. As you research your new home, look for similar amenities so that you can settle right in, make friends, stay active and healthy. A great place to start is a local recreation center or YMCA. These usually have good facilities, a variety of classes and activities and a loyal community following.

Security

If you have a security system, call to cancel and start up in your new home. If your new home does not have a security system and you’d like one installed, this requires a service visit and generally can take a few weeks to set a date. Call ahead.

Homeowner’s Association

If you belong to a homeowner’s association, let them know you are leaving. If you are planning on renting your home, please confirm that this is allowed by the association. Ask about an association in your new home - what benefits does it bring, what are the fees and what is the number of families that belong to the association.

Household Help

You may also have gardeners, maintenance people, housekeepers, baby sitters and others who help you in your current home. Make sure you give them plenty of notice and refer them to the new residents. They depend on these types of referrals for their livelihood. In your new neighborhood, neighbors and real estate agents are great sources for good referrals.

I hope this list of tips helps you have a smoother transition to your new home.