When you're moving, internet tends to land at the bottom of the to-do list, right below "find the coffee maker." Then move-in day comes, someone needs to work, the kids want to stream, and nothing's connected. I help a lot of families moving into new homes, and the ones who have the easiest time all do one thing: they start early. Here's the checklist I'd use.
4 to 6 weeks before you move
Check what's available at your new address
This is the most important step, and the earliest. What's available at your old place may not be available at the new one. Fiber can be on one street and not the next, and rural addresses can have very different options than homes in town.
- Check your exact new address, not just the town or ZIP code.
- Ask the sellers or the landlord what service the home has used.
- Look at what type of connection each option uses. My compare page explains how fiber, cable, 5G Home, satellite, and DSL differ.
If you're torn between options, my guide Is fiber worth switching to? 5 questions to ask before you change internet can help.
Think about how your household will use the new place
A move is a good time to rethink what you need. Will someone work from home in the new house? Is the home bigger, with more floors or a detached garage or shop? Are there more people or more devices now? My guide How much internet speed does your household actually need? helps you size it up.
Read your current terms
Find out what it takes to end or move your current service:
- Are you in a contract, and is there a fee to end it early?
- Can you transfer service to the new address, if it's available there?
- How much notice do they need?
2 to 4 weeks before you move
Schedule the new install
Once you've chosen, schedule installation as early as you can. Install calendars can fill up, especially at busy times of year. How long the install takes varies by home and address, and the provider will confirm timing, so build a little cushion into your moving plan.
Tip: If you can, schedule the install for a day or two after you get the keys, so you're not juggling the installer and the moving truck at the same time.
Plan your router spot
Walk through the new home (or look at the floor plan) and think about where the router should go: up high, out in the open, and close to the middle. Where the line enters the house affects this, so ask the installer about options. My guide Better Wi-Fi at home: 7 simple fixes covers placement.
The week of the move
Schedule your disconnect
Set your old service to end the day after you move out, not before. You'll want internet while you're packing and cleaning.
Sort your equipment
- Rented equipment: Find out how and where to return it, and by when. Get a receipt or tracking number.
- Equipment you own: Pack your router and any mesh units carefully, with their power cords in the same box. Label it "Open first."
- Write down your Wi-Fi name and password. If you use the same ones at the new place, many devices will reconnect on their own.
Setup day
When the installer arrives, or when you plug in for the first time:
- Confirm where the equipment goes before any holes are drilled.
- Set up the router in your chosen spot.
- Run a speed test on a device plugged in with a cable, then on Wi-Fi in the rooms you use most.
- Check upload as well as download.
- Reconnect TVs, printers, cameras, doorbells, and thermostats.
- Make a quick video call while walking through the house.
My guide What to expect on fiber install day walks through install day in more detail.
After the move
- Confirm your old account is closed and your final bill is right.
- Keep equipment return receipts until everything's settled.
- Update your address with any service that sends equipment or bills by mail.
FAQ
How early should I set up internet at my new home? Start checking availability as soon as you have the new address, and schedule the install as early as you can. Waiting until the last week can leave you without service when you move in.
Can I take my internet service with me when I move? Sometimes, if the same service is available at the new address. Ask about transfer options, and compare them against what else is available there.
What if fiber isn't available at my new address? Check again as you get closer to moving, because availability can change. In the meantime, I'll help you figure out your next-best option.
Moving soon? Call or text me at 763-888-8211 with your new address. I'll help you check your options, no pressure.
— Dan Amundson, Fiber Is Better
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