When it comes to moving, we all want it to be a bright sunny day, not too hot and all of our friends to offer to help. Unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way so here are some tips on how to efficiently pack a moving truck that will hopefully cut down on costs and time.

1. Do a walk-thru of your house and note the order in which you want to pack your rooms into the truck.

2. Move the largest and heaviest items first. This includes appliances such as the stove, washing machine, refrigerator and dishwasher, and any other item that takes more than two people to move. These items should be loaded on the truck before anything else and kept against the far wall closest to the cab. Keep the items in their upright positions and make sure you balance the truck by placing heavy objects on opposite sides.

3. Use furniture pads or old blankets to cover wood surfaces and protect corners. Sometimes taking this extra step saves you from a bigger headache later.

4. Move longer items next, such as couches, mattresses, headboards and long mirrors. Stand these items up if you can and save floor space. Cover mattresses with mattress covers to protect while moving.

5. Disassemble bed frames and tape or rope them together. Roll up carpets and place long items inside, then tape the carpet shut.

6. After larger furniture and appliances are loaded, start loading large and heavy boxes. Stack them onto top or under other pieces of furniture to use all available space in the back of the truck.

7. After heavier boxes are loaded begin loading smaller and lighter boxes stacking them onto of heavier boxes and furniture.

8. Place fragile and irregular shaped items on last making sure they are secure so they will not shift while driving.

Now that you are armed with the right tools, get packing!