How to Set Up Electricity, Water and Gas in a New Home

Moving into a new home is exciting, but before you unpack the last box you need to take care of something unglamorous and absolutely essential: setting up electricity, water, gas and internet. Without these services running, your new home is just an empty space. Here we explain, step by step, how to sign up for each service in Mexico, which documents to have ready, how long each one usually takes and which mistakes to avoid so you don't end up without power or water your first week.

What to do before moving day

The golden rule is simple: start the utility procedures two to four weeks before your move date, not on the day itself. Some procedures, such as a new natural gas connection or a fiber-optic installation where there was no previous coverage, can take longer than expected.

Before calling any provider, gather this basic documentation, which they will ask for in practically every procedure:

• Valid official ID (INE, passport or professional license).
• Proof of address for the property (this can be the purchase agreement, lease or a deed (escritura)).
• CURP and, in some cases, RFC.
• Account or service number from the previous occupant, if the property already had the service contracted (this speeds up the process considerably).
• A sketch or reference points for the exact location, especially useful in new housing developments (fraccionamientos) or areas without established street naming.

If you bought the property, it is also worth checking whether the previous owner left any unpaid utility bills, since in some cases (particularly water) debts can remain tied to the property rather than the person. If you have doubts about the legal status of the property before buying, see our guide to documents needed to buy a home and the certificate of freedom from liens (certificado de libertad de gravamen).

How to set up electricity (CFE)

Across virtually the entire country, the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) is the sole provider of residential electric service. The procedure is called "contratación del servicio" (service contracting) and can be started online or in person at a Customer Service Center (Centro de Atención a Clientes, CAC).

General steps:

1. Check whether the property already has a meter installed. If it is a used home with active service in the seller's name, you can request a name change (a process called "cambio de propietario"), which is usually faster than a brand-new sign-up.
2. If there is no meter (new construction), you will need to request a new connection, which may involve a technical visit from CFE to install the meter.
3. Present official ID, proof of address and, if applicable, the property's previous CFE bill.
4. CFE may request a security deposit, depending on the type of rate and estimated consumption.

Response times vary: a name change with an existing meter can be resolved in a few days, while a new connection requiring infrastructure installation can take several weeks, especially in recently developed areas. Always confirm current timelines and requirements directly with CFE offices or its official website, as they may vary by region.

How to set up water service

Unlike electricity, drinking water in Mexico is managed at the municipal or state level, so the operating agency changes depending on where you live (for example, local water and sewer systems, or state or municipal commissions). The exact procedure and requirements vary by city, so it is best to confirm directly with the water utility in your area.

In general, the process includes:

• Submitting a request for sign-up or change of account holder, presenting ID, proof of address and, in many cases, a copy of the deed (escritura) or lease.
• Verification that there are no outstanding debts associated with the property.
• Payment of connection fees or a contracting fee, the amount of which varies widely by municipality.
• For new homes without a water connection, a technical inspection may be required and, in some cases, connection work to the main network.

An important point: in many municipalities, payment of the property tax (predial) and water are tied to the same cadastral registry, so having your deed (escrituración) in order makes this procedure easier. If you haven't yet formalized the deed, see how much the process could cost you in our guide to deed-closing costs by state.

How to sign up for gas

Household gas in Mexico usually comes in one of two forms: LP gas (in a stationary tank or cylinder) or natural gas, where a distribution network is available (mainly in some urban areas). The provider is always a private company, and in most cities there are several options for comparing price and service.

Recommendations for this procedure:

• If the house already has a stationary tank, contact the gas company of your choice to request a refill and, if applicable, a transfer of the tank lease agreement into your name (many stationary tanks are owned by the gas company, not the homeowner).
• Before the first fill, a certified technician must check that the installation meets current safety standards. Don't skip this step: an inspected installation prevents leaks and accidents.
• If your area has a natural gas network, the sign-up is different: it is requested directly from the authorized regional distributor, which will also carry out an inspection before connecting.
• Compare prices among LP gas providers, as they can vary from one company to another within the same city.

How to sign up for internet and phone service

Unlike electricity, water and gas, internet and landline phone service are entirely optional and competitive: you can choose among several providers based on coverage, speed and price in your area. Before signing up, check on each provider's website whether your address already has fiber-optic, cable or only wireless coverage.

• Request quotes from at least two or three providers; prices and speeds vary quite a bit between companies and colonias (neighborhoods).
• Ask specifically about installation time: in new developments without existing infrastructure, a fiber installation can take weeks if the company needs to run new cabling.
• Check whether there is any installation fee or deposit, and whether the equipment (router, modem) is loaned or purchased.
• If you work from home or depend on video calls, prioritize upload speed, not just download speed.

While the fixed installation is being sorted out, a mobile data plan with hotspot capability can serve as a temporary backup during your first days in the new home.

Recommended order and estimated timelines

Not all procedures have the same urgency or the same turnaround time. A logical order, based on what you need right away when you move into the house, usually looks like this:

1. Electricity and water first: they are indispensable from day one and, if the property already had service, a change of account holder is usually quick.
2. Gas next, coordinating the installation inspection with the arrival of your appliances (stove, water heater).
3. Internet in parallel, starting the procedure as early as possible because it is usually the one that takes the longest if it requires installation work.

As a rough guide (actual times depend on your city, provider and whether the property is new or used): changes of account holder with existing infrastructure are usually resolved in days; new connections that require construction or installation work can take two to six weeks. Plan your move with that margin in mind.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I set up electricity and water in a new home?

The best approach is to start the procedures two to four weeks before the move, especially if the property is recently built and may require the installation of meters or new connections. If the infrastructure already exists and it is only a change of account holder, the process is usually faster.

What documents do I need to set up utilities for a home?

Generally a valid official ID, proof of address for the property, CURP and, in some procedures, RFC. It also helps a great deal to have the previous account number or bill for the service, if the property was already registered in someone else's name.

Can I transfer utilities to my name without paying the previous owner's debts?

It depends on the service and the local agency. In some cases, particularly water, debts may be tied to the property rather than the person, so it is wise to verify the payment status before signing the purchase or lease agreement.

Does internet take longer to install than electricity or water?

It can take longer, especially in new developments where the provider needs to run cabling or install fiber-optic infrastructure from scratch. That is why it is best to start the internet procedure in parallel with the other services, as early as possible.