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.

Additional measures for protecting belongings in self storage

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There are many reasons why the demand for storage units is on the rise. Those who want to move, remodel their homes, declutter their offices, or find a small working space away from their homes, can simply rent a storage unit and solve all of their problems. But, no matter how many quality storage units you find, you will still need to figure out how to ensure the safety of the items you want to store. Luckily, there are some additional measures for protecting belongings in self-storage that you can take and they aren’t even hard nor expensive! To prove this, we have decided to write a bit more about this matter. Keep reading and you will find out how to take extra measures of precaution for your stored items.

Taking extra measures for protecting items in storage – Why should you do it?

Storing items away comes with many benefits. One of the most important ones is, without any doubt, getting extra space in your home or office without spending a fortune on it. Renting a Ballard self storage is a great option for those who are in the middle of a relocation, remodeling project, or simply those who want to make their living and working space bigger. Without spending tons of money, you get the space you need while at the same time you manage to keep your precious belongings in a safe place. It’s a win-win situation!

Woman carrying boxes
Follow storing rules and you won’t have to worry about the safety of your belongings

This is truly an amazing opportunity. However, it is important to point out that you can’t just place your items in the first storage unit you find and hope for the best. Quite the opposite! You need to plan this process carefully and also take some measures for protecting belongings in self-storage.

If you do the storing part properly you can be sure your belongings will be safe and secure while they are stored away. In addition to this, there are some measures that will not only protect your items but also the storage you have rented. That’s why you need to get informed about all of them ahead of time, before storing your items.

Additional measures for protecting belongings you want to store

As you can see, storing items needs and should be taken seriously. To make the entire process simpler, we have listed a couple of lesser-known measures for protecting items in self-storage. Whether you want to get a warehouse or portable storage containers Seattle, there is no doubt the following steps will be of use to you. So, make sure to read the following carefully.

Don’t get the first storage unit you stumble upon

Don’t get the first storage unit you find. This is the number one rule when it comes to storing successfully. If you want to be sure you have found a quality business storage Seattle, you need to inspect it thoroughly. Also, you need to check whether the storage unit’s provider has listed legit information. Only after you do your research, you should decide whether that’s the storage unit you want to get. Beware, there are many scammers around and you need to be very careful. Instead of putting yourself at risk, stick to the top-rated companies that have positive feedback. 

Person writing about the measures for protecting belongings in self-storage
Make an inventory list to see what kind of storage unit you need to get

Take your time when preparing items for storage

Most people don’t know that items need to be prepared for storage. There are many simple tips for preparing wooden items for storage, clothes, antiques, fragile items, etc. So, what you can do is write down all of the things you plan to store. This is a so-called inventory list. Take a look at the list you have just created and see whether there are any sensitive or delicate items. With these items, you will need to be extra careful. But, this doesn’t mean that only delicate items need to be prepared for storing. All of your pieces need to be clean, dry and packed the right way. These are the necessary measures for protecting belongings in self-storage.

Know what packing supplies and materials you should use

If you want to be sure your belongings are safe during the storing period, make sure to pack them with premium packing materials. Damaged boxes, used plastic wrapping are only some of the supplies you need to avoid. But, you can save a couple of bucks by using some alternatives to traditional materials. For example, furniture pieces and wooden items should be covered with bedsheets. Cotton will allow your pieces to breathe and will also protect your furniture from dust, mold, and dirt.

Woman carrying a damaged cardboard box
Damaged and used supplies can’t keep your belongings secure during the storing period

Other measures for protecting items for self-storage

Right at our website, you can find many guides regarding storing different items. We advise you to take a look at them and get informed about this topic even more. We are sure you will find some useful information. But, before you start scrolling through our blog, let’s finish this article by mentioning a couple of other measures for protecting belongings in self-storage.

  • Pay attention to how you organize your storage unit. You should add some shelving, create a path between stacked boxes, and keep your storage clean. Declutter it from time to time and there will be no problems.
  • Pack your belongings properly. Learn about the best storage packing methods in advance. When the time for storing comes, you will be more efficient and pack faster.
  • Inspect your stored goods periodically. No matter how long you plan to store your goods, you should stop by your unit from time to time. Do this just to be sure everything is ok.
  • Follow the rules like everyone else. In case you didn’t know, there are items you can and can’t store. Make sure to get informed about them and learn which items you shouldn’t bring to your storage unit.
  • Don’t move items to your storage unit on rainy days. Your boxes could get damaged if you move them during the bad weather.

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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