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.

Downsizing tips for Seattle business owners

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Running a business is getting harder every day. And sometimes the only solution to survive is to downsize. However, downsizing your business requires good planning and thorough preparation in order to be effective. Because if you make a mistake, it could mean the end of your business. Luckily for you, we have prepared some effective downsizing tips for Seattle business owners that will help you to go through this process seamlessly and secure the expected benefits.

Making your business smaller takes a big step – make sure that you don’t make any decisions on your own

Downsizing your business might be the only way for your business to survive. However, keep in mind that it is a risky move that could cost you a lot. That is why it is very important to find business storage Seattle offers for your type of business while having professional guidance along the way. Involve all important structures of the company in the process. And make sure that you hear everyone’s voice. Of course, it all depends on the size of your business and its structure. Nevertheless, it is important not to make any decisions before consulting with others.

holding hands in a business meeting
Make sure that you consult your team on downsizing tips for Seattle business owners

Lower your operational costs by moving your stock to a cheaper storage space

When you are looking to downsize your business the first thing that you need to do is to figure out where you can cut your operating costs. If you are running an office with a few employees, you could try saving on your office materials, fuel costs, and other smaller expenses that you have on a daily basis. Naturally, you have to be careful not to endanger operational capabilities. If you are running a business that involves storing merchandise, maybe you could check it out, and see whether you could find some self storage Shoreline offers for business owners and move your stock there. That rent could be much lower than what you are paying right now. Of course, make sure that the storage is at a suitable location. Moving to a bad location might affect your business’s daily operation and will certainly affect your employees as well.

Move your business to a cheaper location

One of the simplest ways to quickly downsize your business and lower your expenses is to move to a smaller space. Although, you have to be very careful when doing this. If you are running a business that solely depends on location, moving to a place where you will get fewer customers might not be the best solution. Of course, things can also go another way. And maybe you will find a better location that could really help your business. That is why it is important to take your time when choosing where to move your business. Of course, the moving process is more than just renting portable storage containers Seattle and moving. However, it can be done with proper help. In the meantime, if you are not sure where to look, here are some of the best places to run a business in Seattle nowadays:

  • 15th Avenue East Business Improvement Area
  • Broadway
  • Pioneer Square
  • Ballard
  • Chinatown/International District
  • Columbia City
  • Seattle Tourism Improvement Area
  • West Seattle Junction
Seattle panorama
Seattle offers many great locations for your business

Moving your business isn’t that hard at all – you can do it in a day

If you are afraid that moving your business is too complicated, don’t worry. If you find a decent moving company to help you out, you could simply rent some short term storage Seattle offers, store the items that you do not want to move there, and load up the rest of your items and move to a new space within the same day. The best thing is that you can do it fairly cheaply nowadays as moving and storage companies offer great deals and competitive prices on short-term and long-term storage options.

Restructure your business and focus on other markets and industries

Another of the downsizing tips for Seattle business owners that you will hear a lot is to restructure your business. This means focusing on other products or services, or simply getting rid of some products and services that you currently offer.  Do your research, sometimes finding other solutions is closer than you thought. For example, focusing on Seattle’s key industries might be the solution that you were looking for. Study them and see where you can fit in with minimal investment.

Risks of downsizing your business

We mentioned that moving your business is risky. And there are many reasons for this. The image of your company might diminish. You could end up having lower turnover and lower income. One of the biggest issues that you will definitely have to deal with is with your employees. Downsizing is usually not something that employees like and appreciate. Especially if it reflects on their rights and status. So you will likely have to deal with unsatisfied and unmotivated workers as well.

angry empoyees
Be careful with your employees, especially if you are moving your business

If you are planning to move your business, a new location could have an effect on your employees more than your think. Another thing that you have to bear in mind when it comes to relocation is that businesses usually offer some types of relocation packages that will help them go through the moving process more smoothly. That might also increase the cost of your move. Still, be ready to handle resignations and the process of finding replacements.

Look for other downsizing tips for Seattle business owners as well

Those are the main downsizing tips for Seattle business owners that we have prepared for you. Still, don’t stop at that, research other solutions that might be better for your business. Still, don’t forget to always ask for a professional opinion before making crucial decisions.

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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