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.

Gifting a self storage container – madness or brilliance?

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Need to buy a gift but you still haven’t decided on the perfect one? Have you thought about gifting a self storage container? That might sound like an odd proposal. But if you are you are looking for a gift for someone who is living in a cluttered space, that might actually be a brilliant idea. Of course, you do not have to actually buy a container. You can. But you can also be the one who is paying for the lease. In the following article, PortaBox Storage will try to show you how this can make you into a hero and a person who brought the most unique and useful gift to the party.

Choosing a perfect gift is not easy

a woman feeling uncomfortable
You do not want to offend someone with this gift

Choosing a perfect gift can be a boring and stressful task. Especially when you need to buy it for someone who already has everything.  So how to make this present unique and make it stand out from the rest? As we already mentioned, gifting a self storage container is something that will definitely make you a star of the show. But is it is a smart move? You need to think well before you decide to do this. Otherwise, you will be throwing your money and make you look strange. Of course, the best thing would be to talk to the person you are planning to buy a gift for. Speak about your intentions. That is the best way to make sure that you are doing the right thing.

Does that person really need a storage container?

Another thing that you need to consider is whether a person needs a storage container. And if you are considering it, you probably think that it is a good idea. But are you sure? Gifting a self storage container might offend someone. Maybe that person thinks that there is nothing wrong with the living space that he or she is occupying. On the other hand, buying a storage container or even renting the best portable storage containers Seattle has to offer will definitely show that person what you think about that living space. So be very careful with this one.

Where will the container be placed?

shipping container
Large shipping containers require a lot of space

One of the things that you need to think about is whether you really want to buy a storage container or renting portable Redmond self storage, for example, is a better solution. Of course, the future owner will tell you best. But it also depends on whether there is a space where that bought container could be stationed. If the person you are trying to surprise lives in an apartment building, then buying a container is definitely off the table.

On the other hand, if you are trying to surprise someone with a yard, then it is most definitely an open option. Naturally, there are other things to consider besides whether the person has a yard. For instance, some neighborhoods have strict rules about how a yard should look like. So maybe a storage container will not be allowed to stand there permanently.

What type of self storage container should you get?

Of course, there are many options when it comes to self storage containers. There are those large metal shipping containers that logistics companies use for overseas transportation. They come in different sizes and with functionalities. On the other hand, there are other options like storage pods or you can get that nice Seattle mini storage that has become very popular in recent years. Again, the best thing would be to talk to the person who you plan to gift. If you want to make it a surprise, at least try to talk to their family member to see whether it is a good idea and if it is, what type of storage container to get.

How much a self storage container will cost you?

storage units
Renting a portable self storage space is a more affordable idea

Another big thing you need to think about is the price. And that is where you will see all the benefits of renting a self storage container opposite to buying one. For example, you can get a quality Shoreline self storage starting from $65 a month. On the other hand, if you want to buy a used shipping container, for example, it can cost you a couple of thousands depending on the size and other features. Here are some of the prices that you can expect to find when buying a used shipping container:

  • 10ft used shipping containers – $2400 – $2750
  • 20ft used shipping containers – $1800 – $3060
  • 40ft used shipping containers – $1850 – $5300

As you can see, for the price of one used 20ft shipping container you can rent a quality self storage for a couple of years. That is more than enough to make that person realize their mistakes in life and start reorganizing their living space in order to make it more neat and sustainable.

If you are renting a space, make sure that you are renting a quality one

Renting a self storage for someone is a much more affordable option than actually buying a storage container. However, to ensure a positive outcome you need to make sure that you are actually renting a quality space. There are many storage companies that have trouble with hygiene, moisture, pests, security and you do not want to have your friend keep important items in such a space. That is why you need to do good research before you find good storage to rent as a gift.

Think well before gifting a self storage container

Gifting a self storage container might be a brilliant idea. But only in special circumstances. Be careful with this. Think well and consult with the person you are trying to surprise. If your goal is to help the person in need, renting a storage unit might actually be a much better solution than buying one.

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