Moving to Houston? Your Utility Setup Checklist
Start about two weeks before move-in. Electricity is the one Houston newcomers get stuck on: you choose your own provider, so it takes a little planning. Everything else follows a simple order.
Your timeline at a glance
| When | What to set up |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks before | Choose an electricity provider · Book internet installation · File USPS change of address |
| 1 week before | Start water service · Order TV · Schedule home security |
| Move-in week | Request trash and recycling bins · Confirm power is on · Test Wi-Fi in every room |
1. Electricity: pick a provider first
Most of Houston has a deregulated electricity market. CenterPoint Energy owns the poles, wires and meters and handles outages, but you buy your electricity from a retail electric provider you choose.
- Find your ESI ID. Every address has an Electric Service Identifier. Providers look it up from your address when you sign up.
- Compare plans on Power to Choose, the State of Texas comparison site. Check the contract length, the price at the usage you expect and any early-cancellation fee.
- Sign up and pick your start date. Ask the provider how late you can order for a same-day or next-day start.
A few areas around Houston are served by electric co-ops or utilities where you don't choose a provider. Your address lookup will tell you. CenterPoint's start-service steps are on centerpointenergy.com.
2. Water
Inside Houston city limits, water and sewer come from Houston Public Works. You can start or move in residential service online at Houston Water Bills. A deposit may apply.
Outside city limits, water usually comes from a Municipal Utility District (MUD) or another water authority. Your landlord, HOA or title company can tell you which one serves your address.
3. Internet
Book internet as early as you can, because installation appointments fill up near the end of the month. Check whether AT&T Fiber is available at your new address first: it has no data caps, no equipment fees and no annual contract.
| Plan | With AT&T wireless + AutoPay | With AutoPay only | Regular price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $35/mo | $50/mo | $60/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $45/mo | $60/mo* | $75/mo |
| 1 Gig | $50/mo | $70/mo* | $90/mo |
| 5 Gig | $85/mo | $110/mo* | $135/mo |
Prices for new customers, plus taxes & fees. *Includes the new-customer discount ($5/mo on 500 Mbps, $10/mo on 1 Gig, $15/mo on 5 Gig) for the first 12 months. Discounts start within 3 bills. Limited availability.
See the full breakdown in AT&T Fiber plans & prices in Houston.
4. TV
DIRECTV now streams over your internet connection, so you don't need a satellite dish. Packages start at $99.99/mo for 24 months and include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited. Compare all four in DIRECTV packages & prices.
5. Home security
Schedule installation for your first week so the system is live before you unpack valuables. Our professionally monitored home security is $75/mo. Learn more.
6. Trash and recycling
City of Houston collection covers single-family homes. If your new home doesn't have bins, request a first-time container through Houston 311 (call 311 or request online) as soon as you have your address. Apartments and many HOA communities handle trash through the property instead.
7. Mail and address changes
File a change of address at USPS about two weeks before you move. Then update your bank, employer, insurance, driver's license and vehicle registration.
Want one person to set it all up?
Tell us your new address and move date. We'll check AT&T Fiber availability, schedule internet, TV and security, and walk you through choosing electricity.