Move‑In Checklist: Switching Broadband and Phone When You Buy a Home (and How to Save Hundreds)

Move‑In Checklist: switching broadband and phone when you buy a home (and how to save hundreds)

Moving into a new home is stressful — the last thing you want is to be offline on moving day or locked into a costly bundle you didn't need. This guide gives new homeowners a clear, step‑by‑step checklist for transferring or switching broadband and phone services, avoiding bundle cost creep, and negotiating longer-term deals (including five‑year options) so you can save hundreds and protect your monthly bills.

Why this matters in 2026

Broadband markets and telecom offers changed quickly through late 2024–2025. Providers began offering longer price‑guarantees, more fixed‑term bundles and expanded full‑fibre coverage. As of 2026, the choice is better — and the traps are subtler: promotional pricing, auto‑renewing add‑ons and multi‑year contracts that sound great but can lock you into outdated tech.

Use this guide to decide whether to transfer, switch or negotiate, and to set up services so your home is connected on moving day without overpaying.

Top decisions to make before you start

• Keep or change your phone number? Porting keeps continuity (useful if you run a home business).
• Do you want price certainty or flexibility? Multi‑year deals give stability but reduce upgrade options.
• Bundle or unbundle? Bundles reduce admin but increase risk of cost creep from extras and renewals.
• Troubleshoot the new property’s connectivity — full‑fibre availability vs copper/FTTC makes a big difference to speed and futureproofing.

Move timeline checklist (start 8 weeks out)

8+ weeks before completion

1. Run a connectivity check for the new address: use provider postcode checkers and Openreach/BDUK/Ofcom tools to confirm FTTP, FTTC or copper solution and estimated install times.
2. Review your current contracts: note end dates, exit fees, and whether your current provider offers moving transfer vs full cancellation.
3. Decide if you want to keep your existing provider. If yes, contact them early to book an engineer or arrange a transfer of service.

4 weeks before

1. Get account numbers, router login details and your customer reference (for broadband) or PAC for mobile number porting.
2. If switching providers, compare deals with up‑to‑date search engines and check for hidden fees (installation, line rental, router rental).
3. Check any government/local rollout initiatives or local rollout initiatives if you’re in a rural area — these still operated in 2025–26 and can reduce installation costs.

2 weeks before

1. Confirm the install slot for broadband and rebook if it clashes with moving day.
2. If you’re porting numbers, start the transfer process; delays happen if information doesn’t match exactly.
3. Prepare a list of must‑have speeds and devices (working from home needs, streaming, smart home hubs) so you order the right package.

Moving day

• Have account details and ID ready for the engineer or the person doing the hand‑over.
• Test Wi‑Fi in the rooms you use the most and note dead zones so you can add a mesh system rather than paying for ISP boosters.

1–2 weeks after move

• Check final bill and any prorated charges. If you switched mid‑billing cycle, confirm that the old provider cancelled correctly.
• Cancel any unnecessary add‑ons and set calendar reminders for promotional end dates so price creep doesn’t surprise you.

Step‑by‑step: transferring vs switching broadband and phone

Transferring within the same provider (simplest)

1. Contact your provider and tell them you’re moving house and want to transfer services. Get a confirmation reference.
2. Ask if the move is an administrative transfer (no technician) or requires an engineer (e.g., new socket or FTTP install).
3. Confirm the date the service will be active at the new property and whether they’ll transfer your current contract period.

Switching providers (best for savings)

1. Compare offers using independent comparison tools and check specialist MVNOs for mobile SIM deals — they often beat big brand bundles on price.
2. Arrange the new provider to schedule the install on your preferred day. If you’re porting numbers, provide the PAC for mobiles or account/line reference for landlines.
3. Confirm any router collection or return requirements from your old provider to avoid admin fees.

Porting your number (mobile and landline)

• For mobile: request a PAC from your current operator (it's a short code). Give it to your new operator; porting typically takes up to a day but may be longer if you have non‑standard setups.
• For landline: you may need a transfer code and to keep the same account name. The new provider usually handles most of the process but confirm timing so you aren’t left without a line.

Tip: never cancel your old service before the number is successfully ported — cancelling first often makes you lose the number.

Bundles to avoid (and why)

Bundles look convenient but can hide recurring costs:

• Auto‑renewing streaming bundles: Many ISPs include trial access to premium streaming or TV services for 6–12 months then automatically charge full price.
• Router rental and insurance: ISPs often charge monthly for a router or tech cover. Buying a quality router and using a reputable local tradesperson for setup is often cheaper after 18–24 months.
• Boosters and mesh rental: Pay once for a mesh kit instead of leasing extenders. It’s cheaper long term and you retain flexibility.
• Bundled hardware warranties: These cover small chances but add up. Check if your home insurance or standalone device warranty already covers the item.
• Overlapping mobile and broadband discounts: A small per‑month discount for linking mobile lines to broadband may not beat a cheaper standalone mobile plan — do the math.

Negotiating long‑term deals (including five‑year plans)

Longer contracts were rare historically but by late 2025 some providers in Europe and US began trialling multi‑year price guarantees to lock in customers and provide lower monthly rates. In the UK in 2026, options for 3–5 year broadband or mobile price guarantees are increasingly available. Consider these factors:

Pros

• Price certainty: Fixed monthly cost for the term protects against typical annual price rises.
• Lower monthly fees: Providers reward long commitments with savings that can add up to hundreds over several years.
• Potential for free installs or upgrades: Longer deals are often bundled with free FTTP installs or premium devices.

Cons

• Tech lock‑in: You might miss faster, cheaper technology (e.g., new DOCSIS/FTTP advances) during the term.
• Early exit costs: Breaking a 5‑year contract can be expensive.
• Service quality risk: If the provider’s network degrades, you're stuck until the term ends.

Negotiation checklist for long‑term offers

1. Ask for a written price guarantee clause and confirm whether the guarantee covers VAT and line rental.
2. Negotiate for an upgrade clause: request that any major speed upgrade (e.g., FTTP rollout) be available mid‑term at no additional fee.
3. Secure a fair early exit formula: ask for a tapering exit fee rather than a flat remaining balance.
4. Request a trial period (14–30 days) to test service quality and confirm the contract includes a service standard.

How to save hundreds: practical tips and scripts

Small moves at the right times save big. Here are high‑ROI tactics you can use today.

1) Do the math — and set a target saving

Compare current monthly spend vs offers and calculate 12‑ and 60‑month costs. A £10 monthly saving equals £600 over five years.

2) Use retention teams — and a short script

When your provider offers a renewal, call their retention teams:

"I've been a customer since [year] and I'm moving house on [date]. I can see a competitor offering [X] for [£Y]. Can you match or beat that? I'm happy to stay if we can agree on a deal with [price guarantee/upgrade clause]."

3) Consider SIM‑only and MVNOs

Switching mobile lines to an MVNO (e.g., Smarty, Plusnet Mobile, or small carriers) often reduces bills by 20–40% with similar coverage.

4) Buy your router and set up your own mesh

Paying once for a mid‑range mesh system saves monthly rental fees and ensures good whole‑house coverage for working from home.

5) Time moves with promotional cycles

Promotional offers often appear at the start of quarter and holiday seasons. If possible, align your switch with these windows.

6) Use local install grants and vouchers

Check council or regional gigabit voucher schemes for rural areas — they can knock hundreds off installation costs.

Technical checklist for the new home

• Locate the incoming master socket and ONT (for FTTP) and note their positions for router placement.
• Test the router in the primary workspace and run a wired speed test to confirm actual line speed vs advertised speed.
• Identify potential dead spots and plan for a mesh unit in the mid‑point to cover rooms with weak signal.
• Label sockets and keep photos of existing wiring before you make changes; this helps engineers and future buyers.

After you move: final checks and ongoing savings

• Check the first bill immediately for prorations, early termination fees or unapproved add‑ons.
• Set reminders for promotion end dates and contract renewal periods — calendar alerts at 60 and 30 days before expiry work well.
• Review speed and stability after one and three months and escalate if service doesn't meet agreed standards.

Short case studies (real‑world style examples)

Emma — saved £360 by unbundling

Emma moved into a three‑bed semi and was offered a broadband + TV bundle with a large streaming package. She calculated costs and chose a cheaper broadband only plan and a low‑cost streaming subscription. With a one‑off mesh kit purchase, she saved ~£30/month — £360 in the first year.

Harris family — negotiated a 3‑year upgrade clause

Harris wanted price certainty and took a three‑year deal but insisted on a written upgrade clause if FTTP became available. When FTTP arrived, the provider upgraded the line at no charge — preserving the price guarantee and improving speeds.

Quick checklist — print this and stick on your fridge

• 8+ weeks: Check availability, review contracts, decide keep/switch.
• 4 weeks: Gather refs (account, PAC), compare deals, check vouchers.
• 2 weeks: Confirm install, start porting, prepare required IDs.
• Moving day: Engineer on site, test wired + Wi‑Fi, keep old service until port complete.
• After move: Audit first bill, cancel extras, set renewal reminders.

Final takeaways

Moving home is the perfect time to audit telecom costs and upgrade your connection intelligently. Use the timeline above, avoid preset bundles that auto‑renew into expensive plans, and treat multi‑year deals like any major purchase: ask for written guarantees, upgrade clauses and fair exit terms.

Actionable next steps: run the postcode checker for your new address now, get your PAC/account references, and schedule your preferred install slot. Even small steps today will prevent a connectivity headache on moving day and could save you hundreds over the life of your contract.

Call to action

Ready to lock in the best broadband and phone deal for your new home? Start with our free moving checklist and price‑comparison worksheet — check your address, gather your account details, and call your preferred provider armed with the negotiation script above. If you want personalised help, share your postcode and current monthly spend and we’ll outline the top 3 options to save you money and get you online on moving day.

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