Before you unpack, turn the lights on.
Electricity. Water. Gas. Internet. Trash. Not exactly the glamorous part of moving to Texas, but pretty important if you'd like the shower, Wi-Fi and air conditioning to work.
Don't wait until you have the keys.
Figure out which utilities serve your new address before move-in day and schedule service to begin when you take possession of the home.
Texas electricity can work a little differently.
In many parts of Texas, electricity customers can choose among competing retail electric providers. Instead of simply calling one local electric company, you may be shopping for both a provider and a plan.
But not every address has retail electric choice. Some areas are served by municipal utilities, electric cooperatives or other utilities where your provider options work differently.
Read the electricity plan.
A low advertised rate doesn't necessarily tell you what your bill will look like. Compare the actual plan details and how pricing works at different usage levels.
Find out who serves the address.
Water service in Texas is local. Depending on where you live, service might come from a city, utility district, water supply corporation or another local provider.
Ask your landlord, seller, property manager or local government which provider serves the property and whether you need to open an account before moving in.
Does the house even use gas?
Not every Texas home does. Check whether your stove, water heater, furnace, fireplace or other appliances use natural gas.
If they do, identify the gas utility serving your address and arrange service before move-in.
Get the Wi-Fi situation figured out.
Internet availability can vary by exact address, even within the same city. Check which providers actually service your new home rather than assuming a company available across town serves your street.
Who takes the boxes away?
Trash and recycling arrangements depend on where you live. Your city, neighborhood, HOA, landlord or a private waste company may handle service.
Find out the pickup days, where bins belong and whether you need to request carts after moving in.
The utility checklist.
Get these handled before you're standing in your new living room surrounded by boxes.
Okay. Now you can actually move in.
Utilities aren't the exciting part of a new home. But getting them handled before moving day makes everything that comes next a whole lot easier.