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 your outdoor equipment in Washington

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People often realize how much stuff they actually have once they begin preparing for the move. If outdoor equipment is among them, extra attention is necessary in order to preserve each item in one piece. Moving, whether local or across the state,  must include a safe storage facility. The reason is obvious – the items have to wait in a safe space. In case you’re an outdoor lover yourself, then this guide to storing your outdoor equipment is just what you need. Make yourself comfortable, take time to read it, and you’ll know how to pack all items like a pro. You can also contact us at PortaBox Storage Seattle and check the top-notch storage solutions we have on offer.

Steps to help with storing your outdoor equipment with ease

Before you even start looking for self storage West Seattle has on offer, check the items you own. That way, you’ll determine what storage size you actually need. The last you want is to pay for additional space or end up with too little storage. Once you do it, you may get enough boxes and containers, and proceed with packing. When buying boxes, pay attention to get enough of them, in various sizes. If needed, purchase special boxes for the oddly shaped items.

smiling woman helping you with storing your outdoor equipment
Storing your outdoor equipment must be done right.

Prepare your outdoor equipment for storage one item at a time

Your outdoor equipment will sit in storage for some time. That’s why it’s your duty to get each item ready the right way. Although packing seems simple, it actually requires precision and is better not to do it in a rush.

Add padding to each box

The first thing to do before packing an item is to add extra cushioning to a box. Use whatever you have at hand – sponges, clean cloth, clean socks, layers of packing paper, etc. Carefully secure the bottom and all edges. Place an item inside, cover it with an additional protective layer, and close the box lid. Use super strong packing tape to seal it. Repeat it up to several times if necessary. That way, you’ll prevent the item from breaking or leaving the box during a long-distance move on a bumpy road.

Stackable metal boxes come in handy too

If you want to keep smaller outdoor tools together, opt for stackable boxes. You can either use dish packs and place them in a bigger box or get some stackable metal ones. Their designs allow convenient storage and provide a higher level of safety. Moisture, molds, and other external factors won’t penetrate the metal and the items will stay safe.

Where to store your outdoor equipment?

It also matters what kind of storage solutions you are going to rent:

  • Self-storage – They are convenient, often temperature-controlled, and easy to manage. You gate full access to stored items.
  • Portable containers – There are mobile storage containers Seattle companies offer at affordable prices. They are perfect for local relocations.
  • Vaulted storage – Another innovation in the moving and storage industry. With vaulted storage, your items get extra protection. Once loaded, vaulted units are placed inside a spacious warehouse.

Choose a reputable storage company

It matters what company is entrusted with your belongings. That being said, it’s in your best interest to keep the equipment somewhere safe, and thus have peace of mind. So, take as much time as necessary to find the right company.

storage facility
Choosing optimal storage solutions for your equipment is of great importance.

How to search for storage companies?

There are several ways to get decent storage:

  • Independent storage providers – These are the companies that cover only storage needs. The price-quality ratio depends from company to company.
  • Moving companies – There are many full-service movers on the market that provide both moving and storage services. Usually, full-service movers tend to offer a bit more affordable storage services.

Whatever option you choose, make sure to conduct a background check first. No matter how well-advertized the company is, it’s good to confirm all the information you get. Nowadays, any company can put up good marketing, while offering much lower quality service. The same applies to store solutions. Therefore, ensure the company is registered and licensed, then contact it for more details. Fortunately, the State of Washington has numerous reputable storage companies that care bout product quality.

Aks to see the storage

Schedule a visit to the company’s storage facilities. Pay attention to hygiene and whether it’s spacious enough. In the meantime, ask the staff about safety. Any serious storage company relies on a surveillance system, strong locks, and safety measures in order to keep stored items away from unwanted guests. If a company doesn’t care much about the safety factor, take it as a red flag. The last you need is constant worry about belongings. This is why it’s important to ensure the storage fulfills all requirements and is worth the investment.

two people looking for something online
Browse and choose reputable moving and storage company that offers excellent storage services.

Get an estimate before anything

Many companies offer a free moving and storage estimate. You can also ask for a separate storage estimate if you plan to keep the items for a bit longer. After you decide on a moving company, head over to their estimate form, and fill it out. The estimate will show you the approximate cost of your storage rental. It might go up in price in case you extend the rental period, or opt for a bigger unit.

If you decide to hire help, expect that labor work will also contribute to the final price. However, keep in mind that the moving and packing team that is handling your items has to be the ones who are careful and precise. With their help, packing and storing your outdoor equipment will be much easier. Previous customer testimonials can give you more information about a company’s expertise.

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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