Moving is the right time to fix a bad internet bill. A few minutes of planning before you move saves a lot of pain after. Here is the order that works.
2 Weeks Before You Move
- Check what is serviceable at the new address. Do not trust national availability maps blindly — they are often out of date. Call us with the address and we will confirm what is actually deployable at that exact location.
- Decide between transfer or switch. If your current provider services the new address, you can usually transfer service. But “transfer” customers rarely get new-customer pricing. Most movers save money by switching to whichever provider has the strongest current promotion at the new address.
- Schedule installation. If you are getting fiber or scheduled cable install, book the technician for the day of or day after move-in. Self-install kits should be shipped to the new address ~5 days before move-in.
3–5 Days Before You Move
- Confirm the appointment. Call to verify the install slot and confirm someone will be at the new address to let the technician in (if applicable).
- Do not cancel old service yet. Wait until the new one is live and working.
- Check equipment return rules. Most providers want their modem, router, or gateway returned within 30 days of cancellation. Find the nearest return location or the prepaid return label.
Move-In Day
- Verify the new connection works. Run a speed test. Confirm Wi-Fi covers the rooms you need.
- Note the date. This is the date you will use when cancelling the old service.
Day After Move-In
- Cancel the old service. Call the provider you are leaving. Confirm the cancellation date and ask for written confirmation.
- Pack the old equipment. Return it within the window the provider specifies (usually 30 days). Keep your tracking receipt — equipment-not-returned charges can be $100+ per device.
- Check the final bill. Make sure you are billed only for the partial month, not the full month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cancelling old service too early. You will be without internet during the transition. Always overlap by a few days.
- Not returning equipment in time. The unreturned-equipment charge often shows up on your final bill if you miss the return window.
- Auto-transferring without comparing. Transfer customers do not get promotional pricing. Always check if a new-customer signup at the new address would be cheaper.
Need help planning the cutover? Call us — we will check what is available at the new address and help you time everything cleanly.