Utilities, water, septic and broadband, address by address

Service is an address question, not a town question

In much of New Hampshire, two houses on the same road can have different internet options, different water arrangements and different plow responsibility. Verify each one at the exact address before you rely on it — a town-level answer is not good enough.

Electricity and heat

• The regulated utility serving an address is determined by location; the NH Public Utilities Commission lists them and explains how competitive supply works.
• Delivery and supply appear separately on the bill. Changing supplier does not change who maintains the lines.
• Heating fuel is commonly oil or propane outside the gas service areas. Open a delivery account early and ask about pre-buy, budget plans and tank ownership — a leased tank ties you to a dealer.
• Ask the seller for a year of actual usage rather than estimating from square footage.

Water, well and septic

Municipal water and sewer exist in the cities and larger towns. Elsewhere, private wells and septic systems are normal and perfectly workable, but they are systems you now own.

Follow current NH Department of Environmental Services guidance on well water testing, and have the septic system located, inspected and its capacity confirmed against the number of bedrooms during your diligence period. DES keeps subsurface system records that are worth requesting.

Well and septic questions are property-specific. Use a licensed inspector and the DES record for the parcel, not general advice.

Broadband and mobile coverage

• Confirm serviceability with each provider using the exact address, and ask what technology is actually delivered there — fibre, cable, fixed wireless or satellite.
• Ask the sellers what they use and what speeds they see, particularly if you work from home.
• Mobile coverage is uneven in the mountains and the North Country. Check your own carrier's map, and test on a site visit.
• The state's broadband office publishes mapping and programme information for areas still being built out.

Waste, roads and the town's part

• Many towns operate a transfer station with a resident sticker instead of curbside collection; the clerk's office issues it.
• Confirm who maintains and plows the road, and whether there is a road association fee.
• Ask the town about permit requirements before you plan a generator, a hookup, a driveway change or an outbuilding.