Selling up and moving home is a big task, and it’s easy to forget the details like “When will my broadband get connected?” Don’t leave it until the big day!
House sales checklist: Broadband switch over
There’s nothing more painful than realising the previous owner of your new house was an internet refusenik and connection could take more than a month and a half! Steal a march on it by getting it organised as soon as you sign the deeds.
The great thing is that you shouldn’t need to do too much work yourself. If you choose a new provider, they will contact the old one to tell them about the changes. And if the lines are already set up, there might not even be a need for an engineer.
Which service should you choose?
There is no one answer to this. If the new house already has a broadband connection with cable or fibre optic, that might inform your choice. If you are moving out into the countryside, availability of provider, speed, and service can vary wildly. Type your new home’s postcode into a comparison website like broadbandchoices.co.uk
Checking around for the best deal might include getting a phone or TV bundle from Virgin Media, or just paying for each as it comes with a dedicated broadband provider like Plusnet. Many people no longer require landlines or watch much telly anymore, so don’t pay for what you’re not going to use!
What kind of broadband speed do you need?
The higher the Mb (megabits per second), the faster your downloads and the better your streaming services. But do you really need all that?
If you’ve got a small household and don’t tend to stream TV or music, it’s unlikely you’d need the superfast fibre optic broadband from BT. However, if your children still live at home, or you love streaming the latest Game of Thrones series, you’re likely to need as much as you can get.
The contract trap
If your current broadband is due to expire before you move, try to be canny about renewing. Make sure to note any new contract length and when it can commence, and make sure there are no additional charges for moving. Is it time to make a switch to a new provider? There are plenty of comparison and review services out there, so don’t just sleepwalk into renewing with your current provider if they’re overcharging you.
Once your broadband’s in place
It’s normal for broadband speeds to be a little rough in the first few days. Try not to panic about it unless it goes off completely and won’t come back on. Providers sometimes test the connection and this can take up some of your bandwidth or slow your speed right down.
If the wireless signal isn’t up to scratch, you can try purchasing your own or using wifi booster systems that plug into your electrical sockets.
Things to remember
- Fees could include a new wireless router.
- Connection times could be up to 6 weeks or longer but may be significantly shorter in a house that already has a previous broadband connection. Get going ASAP with the switch.
- Watch out for download data limits. Aim for unlimited to avoid nasty surprises.
- Don’t accept the prices at face values. Broadband firms can be haggled down or may throw in an attractive packaged when pushed.
- Many broadband service providers subcontract BT engineers as they are using their infrastructure, so often depend on their schedules.
- If your provider has raised their prices midway through the contract, you can walk away without penalty.
Thinking of selling your home and moving on?
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