Setting up utilities at a new home costs roughly $150 to $600 in one-time fees and deposits in 2026 — a line most moving budgets simply forget. The big swings are the electric and gas deposits: providers that run a credit check charge $100 to $400 per service when the check comes back thin, and waive the deposit entirely when it does not. Stack on water and sewer account setup, an internet installation, and trash service, and a typical two-bedroom move-in lands between $230 (deposits waived) and $600 (deposits required). This guide itemizes every fee, shows how to get deposits waived, and includes a calculator for your own move-in.
| Utility | One-time setup / connection | Deposit (if required) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | $10 – $30 | $100 – $400 | Deposit often waived with good credit |
| Natural gas | $15 – $35 | $100 – $300 | Technician visit may be needed to light pilots |
| Water / sewer | $25 – $75 | $50 – $150 (renters, some areas) | Often stays in landlord's name in rentals |
| Internet | $0 – $100 install | — | Plus $10 – $15/mo equipment unless you own it |
| Trash / recycling | $25 – $100 | — | Cart delivery or municipal account start |
Electric and gas providers run a soft credit check when you open an account. Good credit or a clean payment record with a previous utility usually means no deposit at all. A thin file, past late payments, or a prior disconnection triggers a deposit — commonly one to two months of estimated usage, which is how providers arrive at $100 to $400. Three things are worth asking every provider: whether a letter of credit from your previous utility substitutes for the deposit, whether autopay enrollment waives it, and when the deposit is returned. Deposits are generally refunded, often with interest where state rules require it, after a period of on-time payments or when you close the account — rules differ by state, so ask for the specific terms in writing.
| Scenario | Typical cost | Credit check? |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer within same provider | $0 – $30 transfer fee | Rarely — history carries over |
| New account, same utility type | Setup fee + possible deposit | Usually |
| Internet: move existing plan | $0 – $50 (sometimes free promo) | No |
| Internet: new provider | $0 – $100 install + activation | Sometimes |
Moving locally? Call your current providers first. A transfer keeps your payment history, usually skips the deposit, and often costs nothing. Even long-distance, a letter of credit from the utility you are leaving can zero out deposits at the new one.
Check the services you need to set up and pick your deposit situation for an estimated one-time move-in cost.
Example output: with all five services checked and deposits required, the calculator returns electric $20 connection + $220 deposit, gas $20 + $150 deposit, water $50, internet $90, trash $50 = $600. The same five services with deposits waived return $20 + $20 + $50 + $90 + $50 = $230.
Internet is rarely expensive to start but is the easiest place to overpay long-term. Professional installation runs $0 to $100, and many providers waive it entirely for self-install kits ordered online. The recurring traps: equipment rental at $10 to $15 per month (buying your own modem and router pays back within a year or two), a one-time activation fee that appears on the first bill, and promotional pricing that steps up sharply after 12 months. When you order, write down the post-promo rate and the contract end date — future-you will want them.
Renters often have it simpler: in many buildings, water, sewer, and trash remain in the landlord's name and are billed back through rent, leaving only electric, gas, and internet to open — but renters face deposits more often because their accounts churn. Homeowners open everything themselves, including water and sewer accounts that can require a setup fee and proof of ownership. If you are buying, ask the seller or agent which providers serve the address; if renting, ask the landlord exactly which utilities are your responsibility before you budget. Budget alongside your other move-in costs, like move-out cleaning and the move itself.
Budget roughly $150 to $600 in one-time utility costs for a typical move-in during 2026. Electric and gas deposits run $100 to $400 each when the provider requires them after a credit check, water and sewer account setup runs $25 to $75, internet installation runs $0 to $100 plus equipment fees, and trash service setup or cart delivery runs $25 to $100. With good credit and deposit waivers, many movers pay only $150 to $250.
No. Most electric and gas providers run a soft credit check when you open an account and waive the deposit for applicants with good credit or a clean payment history with a prior utility. Deposits of $100 to $400 are typically required for thin credit files, past late payments, or prior disconnections. Many providers also accept alternatives, such as a letter of credit from your previous utility or enrollment in autopay, so ask before paying.
Internet setup when moving typically costs $0 to $100 for professional installation, and many providers waive the fee for self-install kits or online orders. Watch the recurring extras: equipment rental commonly adds $10 to $15 per month unless you buy your own modem and router, and an activation fee sometimes appears on the first bill. Promotional first-year pricing usually rises at renewal, so note the regular rate before you sign.
Transferring an existing account within the same provider's territory is usually cheaper: transfer fees are commonly $0 to $30, your payment history carries over, and a new deposit is rarely required. Opening a new account with a different provider triggers the full setup path, including a possible credit check and deposit. When moving locally, always ask your current providers whether they serve the new address before starting from scratch.
Schedule utilities two to three weeks before your move-in date. Electric, gas, and water can usually start same-week, but internet installation appointments often book out one to two weeks, and gas service that requires a technician visit to light a meter or pilot needs someone home. Aim to have electric and water active one day before you arrive, and set the old home's stop date for the day after you leave.
Often, yes. In many rental buildings water, sewer, and trash stay in the landlord's name and are billed back through rent or a utility billing service, so renters may only need electric, gas, and internet. Homeowners typically open every account themselves, including water and sewer, which can involve a setup fee and, in some areas, a larger deposit or proof of ownership. Renters are also more likely to face deposits because accounts churn more often.