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.

Guide for moving into a smaller home

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There are many different reasons why you might decide to move into a smaller home. Sometimes, this is the smartest financial decision for your family. At other times, it’s the only logical decision as you are nearing retirement and are experiencing empty nest syndrome. No matter your situation, moving into a smaller home is almost always difficult for those people going through it. At PortaBox Storage, we know we have all the right tools that are necessary to help you downsize into a new home. Be prepared – the process is a long one. From finding the optimal self storage Seattle to getting rid of unnecessary belongings, the road ahead isn’t easy but it can be done.

Change the way you think about the entire process

Our rich experience has taught us that most people think negatively about the entire endeavor. Moving into a smaller space might feel intimidating, as you will feel like you are limited by the lack of space. The truth is that you don’t have to be limited at all – you just have to change your mindset and focus on the positive aspects.

A woman reading a text on a tablet.
Be optimistic about your upcoming relocation.

As someone who is used to functioning in a vast area, it probably seems impossible for you to manage to fit all of your belongings into a few rooms. All it takes is some good organization and a few tools that will help you keep all of your items without sacrificing the space you live in. You guessed it – we are talking about reliable Kenmore self storage that’s going to be your number one ally at this time.

Decluttering is the name of the game when moving into a smaller home

You are already aware of the fact that you won’t be able to relocate all the items you currently have in your home. That’s simply impossible as you will be moving into a house with limited space. Thus, you have no other option but to go through your belongings and decide which items are superfluous.

Don’t underestimate the process – you will have to go through your furniture, clothes, and personal items, which is bound to be time-consuming. But there really is no way around it if you are going to move into a smaller home. Once you decide which items have no place in your new home, it’s high time for you to decide what to do with them. You have three options that people usually go for:

  • Sell your items
  • Donate your belongings
  • Throw everything away
PortaBox solution for Kenmore self-storage
A storage unit might be necessary when moving into a smaller home.

Of course, there is always the fourth option – renting some convenient self storage Shoreline. Storage units can be rented short-term and long-term, so you will have to decide which option works better for you. Most storage providers will also be open to adjusting their services to your needs so you can be certain that you will find the best solution for yourself.

Create the layout of each room in advance

The furniture you have in your home at the moment might turn out to be too big for the new house. Of course, everything could turn out to be perfect and your furniture might fit the room like a glove. But you have to plan for that small chance of an unfavorable scenario. We suggest that you start by creating a layout for each of the rooms in the new home. Measure your furniture and the space you have in the new house and see how well everything fits in together.

If it turns out that some focal furniture piece needs to be replaced, it’s better to know and plan for it. This is of particular importance if this is some expensive piece we are talking about. Not only will you have to replace it once you arrive at the new address, but you will also pay for moving and shipping services in Seattle where every extra item adds to the final bill.

Expect the unexpected when moving into a smaller house

Even after a thorough decluttering session and a lengthy layout-making process, you can still expect to realize that you have too many items and not enough space. That’s why we say that the only thing you can expect is the unexpected. Besides, even the best plans aren’t flawless. Thus, you shouldn’t beat yourself up if something doesn’t turn out to be like you hoped. The good thing is that you can always rent short-term storage solutions in Seattle if you find yourself in a jam. With a safe place where you can keep your belongings, for the time being, there is no place for stress and worries.

Change your habits

The work doesn’t stop the minute you move into your new home. Quite the contrary – it’s where the really problematic part begins. Even if you have managed to fit everything into the new and smaller space, you still have to maintain the functionality of your home. And that’s going to take some work on your part. For starters, you will have to change some of your impulsive habits. That means that you will have to be careful about every new item that you bring into your home. Unfortunately, you no longer have massive square footage at your disposal. Don’t be discouraged if at first, you fail. Getting used to a brand new life is going to take some time, but we have no doubt that you’ll succeed.

The spelling of the word focus.
Don’t focus on the negative aspects when there’s so much good to look forward to.

It might seem like your whole life has turned upside down after moving into a smaller home. But you have to remember that you are simply going through an adjustment period. Everything will settle down soon enough and you’ll start seeing all the benefits of your new life. But until then, keep reminding yourself why you did what you did and you’ll find the necessary encouragement.

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