Moving to a new home is stressful enough without having to hunt down the contact information for all the various utility providers and set up appointments. You just want to get to your home and know that everything is going to work as you start settling in. Whether you’ve just bought your first home or you’re renting an apartment in the city, here’s what you need to know about setting up utilities at your new Brooklyn residence.
Water
Water is one of the easiest utilities to deal with, as water service is all overseen by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. That means that you can expect the standard, metered rates without having to shop around for the best deal. If you’re renting living space, the chances are that your landlord has already set up service for your residence, but check the lease to be sure. If you do need to establish service, you can get in touch with a customer service rep directly.
Electric
While many cities only have one or two power companies servicing them, the situation in Brooklyn is far more complicated an affair. Eleven different providers offer electrical services to Brooklyn residents, but not all of them serve the same neighborhoods. Fortunately, Power 2 Switch offers a comprehensive listing of utility companies along with their rates, and you can filter the results by simply entering your zip code. The options for setup vary, but most companies offer an online portal that allows you to schedule service and manage your bills without any hassle.
Gas
While two natural gas companies serve the greater New York area, the only name in Brooklyn is National Grid. Unfortunately, National Grid doesn’t offer any online system for scheduling your appointments. If you need to start service or transfer your account from anywhere else in the New York area, be sure to call their number. Before you call, make sure to check that your home actually uses natural gas, as many residences have transitioned to fully electric setups. Connection can take up to five business days, so you’ll want to be sure to call the company at least a week in advance to make sure everything’s ready to go when you arrive at your new home.
Cable and Internet
There are roughly a half dozen providers of internet and cable service in Brooklyn, but the biggest names in town are Comcast, DirecTV, and Dish. All three of these national companies offer package internet and cable deals, while smaller providers sometimes offer only one or the other. Most allow you to schedule your service online, but you’ll want to schedule an appointment at least a week in advance if you want your service up and running when you arrive. You can compare pricing, plans, and add-ons directly here.
Trash
As with water, trash services are handled by New York’s municipal government. Most renters shouldn’t have to worry about establishing service themselves, but if you do, you need to prepare yourself at least two weeks in advance. You can request collection services by sending a formal letter or completing a simple online form.
In addition to setting up your utilities, it’s also essential to hire a Brooklyn moving company you can trust to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible. To get all the moving quotes you need in one place, just fill out a moving quote form now!