Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

10 facts you should know before renting self-storage

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There are certain periods in our lives when we can find ourselves in need of some additional space in our homes or offices. And, when that time arrives, you will want to be ready and know everything about the process of finding the right storage unit. Worry not, this isn’t an impossible mission and we, at PortaBox Storage, are here to prove this. We wanted to make the process of storing as simple as possible for you and that is why we have listed 10 facts you should know before renting self-storage. Read the following carefully and you will learn how to handle storing like a pro.

Need to store some of your items? Here are the 10 facts you need to know before renting a self-storage

Most people think that there is nothing challenging about storing belongings. You only have to find a storage unit that is close to your home and place your items there, isn’t that right? Well, there is more to this entire process. And, it is necessary to get informed about it if you want to store your items properly and ensure they will be safe during the storing period. Here are the 10 facts about self-storage that will help you store your belongings the right way.

1- Define your needs and requirements before you go on a storage hunt

So, you are planning to get a Kirkland self-storage in the near future? Well, before you do that, you will have to define your needs and requirements. You should make an inventory list and write down all of the items you plan to store away. By doing this, it will be easy for you to determine the size and the type of storage unit you need to get. 

an empty notebook and a pen
Write down the things you want to store and you’ll define your needs with ease

2- Learn what types of storage units exist to find the one that perfectly suits your needs

Since people have different needs and requirements, there are also different types of storage units. First of all, there are short term units in which you can store your items for no more than three months, and there are also long terms storage units in which you can store your belongings or a longer period. If you are not sure which one will meet your needs perfectly, think about comparing short-term vs long-term storage and you will get your answer with ease. In addition to this, there are also climate-controlled facilities that are perfect for storing sensitive items such as artwork, books, or important documents.

3- Avoid getting too big or too small facilities

Another important thing about self-storage is that these units come in various sizes that differ in their price. Because of this, many people rent smaller storage units just so they can save a couple of bucks but that is a big mistake. If you rent a unit that is smaller than you need, you won’t be able to store everything you want without creating chaos. 

Getting a facility that is way bigger than the one you need is another mistake. Unless you are a business owner who plans to grow its business, there is no point in renting more space than you need. You will only spend more money and you will never use that extra space.

4- Don’t get a self-storage from the first company you stumble upon

There is nothing worse than renting a storage unit from an unreliable company. If you want to store your items in a safe place, you will need to research the company first. Make sure to check their provided information to see if it is legit and to look for their reviews and ratings. If there is nothing fishy about the company, get the storage unit you wanted.

Person reading an article on the facts you should know before renting self-storage
Research the company online before renting its storage units

5- Plan your budget in advance to avoid spending more than you have planned

Even though there are many DIY storage alternatives, they aren’t as safe as storage facilities. Thus, it is better to spend a little bit more on a safe facility than to get an unsafe alternative. And, storing doesn’t even have to be pricey! If you plan your budget in advance and get estimates from different companies, you will avoid spending more than you have planned.

6- Make sure you have the necessary documents

Are you ready for getting a self-storage? If that is the case, make sure you check whether you have all the necessary documents. You will have to show some identification, a government-issued document. Some of the US identity documents are:

  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • State ID
  • Military ID 

7- Examine the storage before renting it

Many people think that storage units aren’t safe but those are just myths about self-storage facilities. If you have checked whether the company is reliable, you will have nothing to worry about. You should also take a look at the storage you want to rent, just to see whether there is any damage or holes. If everything is ok, you can rent it and rest at ease.

8- Know what can and what shouldn’t be stored to avoid problems

Here is one of the most important facts you should know before renting self-storage – you can’t store everything. Hazardous items and dangerous goods can not be stored. Also, you can’t store plants and perishable food because they could attract unwanted guests – rodents and mold. Thus, make sure to get informed about this matter before you store items.

Black puppy in a box
A storage unit isn’t a place where you can keep your pets or your plants

9- Don’t just throw your stuff in boxes and hope for the best

Storage units need to be organized and cleaned regularly. You will want to plan how you will stack your boxes so that you can access all of them with ease. Items that you want to store need to be dry, clean and packed the right way. It is a good idea to cover large furniture with bed linen because cotton can protect it while allowing it to breathe at the same time.

10- Plan to check on your self-storage often

Last but not least is to check on your storage regularly just to make sure everything is ok. You should also declutter from time to time and clean it. Remember, keeping your storage unit organized is of the utmost importance!

There you have it, these were the facts you should know before renting self-storage. If you have any more questions or you want to get your very own self storage, make sure to get in touch with us! We will gladly help in any way we can.

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Locations Served

LYNNWOOD PORTABOX

2902B Lincoln Way Lynnwood, WA, 98087

SEATTLE PORTABOX

10750 Aurora Ave N Suite B Seattle, WA 98133

NEWCASTLE PORTABOX

6868 Coal Creek Pkwy SE Newcastle, WA 98059

BOISE PORTABOX

103 N Curtis Road Boise, ID, 83706