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 to storing sports equipment

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Undertaking a renovation or relocation of your home can often require the transportation and protection of your sports equipment. And that is a very sensitive process, one that requires careful planning and reliable services. Professional athletic equipment such as skis, ski boots, golf clubs, rooftop cargo carriers, waterskis, etc. can all be very expensive. Your primary concern should be ensuring that they are properly protected from damage and secured from theft. Storing sports equipment is one of the finer ways to guarantee the safety of each piece for the necessary amount of time.

By choosing the right supplies and finding one of the best storage solutions in Seattle, you can eliminate the stress of cluttering your household or damaging your sports equipment while keeping them in your home. However, finding the right self-storage option is just the beginning. PortaBox is here to offer some insight to help make this entire process simpler for you.

Why is it so important to take your time with the storing process?

Given its value and fragile nature, athletic gear and sports equipment are not something that people are willing to mishandle or risk damaging. And whether we’re talking about skis, golf clubs, bicycles, rock climbing gear, mountain climbing footwear, etc. – they all require special conditions to maintain their original state and value. And to ensure all that, you will require the proper combination of packing materials, secure storage conditions, and packing methods.

An image of golf clubs
Storing sports equipment should be focused on safety, which is why choosing the right supplies and a good storage unit is very important.

With many different ways of packing and storing your sports gear, you should also know which mistakes to avoid during this process. One of the most common mistakes people tend to make is keeping belongings in a basement, tool-shed, or any other improvised in-home storage space.

With the influence of external factors such as dampness, direct sunlight, dust, moisture, lack of oxygen, etc. – this can often cause exposure to mold, rust, scratches due to friction, etc. And let’s not forget about the most common issue, which is plain mishandling. Instead, you need to secure a closed-off, temperature-controlled self-storage container or unit.

Decide which pieces of equipment you want to store

Some sports equipment is seasonal and unusable for most of the year. Other equipment is simply too robust to keep at home if you’ve lost the habit of regularly using it. And it can all be stored away safely so long as you have the proper resources and solutions to do it. The only potential issue is transporting it to a storage facility.

And in such cases, having the option of portable self-storage containers can make all the difference. It saves you the stress and hassle of battling with transportation. Instead, you can simply take your time and pack it inside a container delivered to your home, and then have it picked up and taken to a storage facility or your other/new home.

Find a temperature-controlled storage unit

The first thing you should do before storing sports equipment is to find a good storage unit. Depending on the size of your inventory, you can look for public warehouses or consider ordering one of our Bellevue self-storage containers. If you find a quality storage unit on time, you will save the value of your inventory in the long run.

Fishing equipment
Sports gear requires special conditions to stay protected while in storage.

Quality storage units are usually temperature-controlled, clean, and spacious. Keep in mind that cheaper units might not have all the qualities you need for safely storing your sports equipment.

The importance of quality packing supplies

The way you pack your sports equipment will play the main role in keeping it safe in storage. Quality packing supplies are not that hard to find. However, in order to pack athletic equipment, you might need special equipment and materials. The best way to find these packing supplies is to consult a storage company that can also find you a suitable storage unit. These companies provide all sorts of packing materials and they offer packing services, too.

Remember to use protective materials

Before storing sports equipment, you might want to make a list of packing materials needed. Here are some of our suggestions:

  • Plastic wrapping
  • Cardboard boxes or sheets
  • Styrofoam for protecting corners
  • Soft materials for padding
  • Packing tape
  • A labeling machine

The good news is – you can find some of these supplies at home. And you can order the rest from professional moving and storage companies. However, if your sports gear is of great value, hiring professional packers is a much better idea.

Pack in the right order

Not all types of athletic gear are the same size or value. This is why you should pack and store them in the right order if you want to keep them safe. Here are some examples of packing sports equipment in the most efficient way:

  • Use padding – this will secure the equipment you possess.
  • Lay your athletic equipment on flat surfaces. By stacking them on top of each other, you will risk damage and loss of your inventory.
  • Your packing supplies should be clean and dry. A small amount of water or dirt can spread in the storage unit and damage your belongings.
  • Cover paintings and similar items with protective wrap.
  • Use sturdy boxes for storing antiques and fine china.

Avoid direct sunlight and heat

In the end, the storage unit you decide to rent will decide the fate of your valuable sports gear. If you choose to keep it in your home storage, you should avoid exposing it to direct sunlight and heat. The storage space (or unit) should be weather-resistant, clean, and moisture-free. Also, you should look for units with climate control, since they are the best option for storing sports equipment safely.

How to find convenient storage for your possessions?

No matter how good you pack and secure your items, it won’t mean anything if you don’t put in convenient storage space. The best thing you can do is to find a proper Newcastle self-storage facility and make a storage plan. Companies that specialize in rental storage units will help you choose the one according to your plan. Keep in mind that short-term renting can be more expensive than paying for a long-term storage unit.

Ad for storing sports equipment

Keeping your belongings safe is a tricky process, especially without the right equipment and a good storage unit. However, you shouldn’t forget to hire professional movers to transport your belongings to a new destination. With the right plan and a proper storage unit, storing sports equipment can be easy and efficient!

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