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.

How to choose a storage container

Step 1 of 2

MM slash DD slash YYYY

There are various reasons why you might have a need for the self storage West Seattle residents and businesses trust. It might be that you are planning a relocation and you need to store your things in the safest way possible. Or perhaps you are looking to free up space in your household and are in need of self-storage to do so. Regardless of the basis for your storage needs, it is important that you choose a storage container that suits your needs best. And PortaBox Storage is here today to make that choice simpler for you to make. Here are some things to consider when choosing a storage container.

Newcastle self storage PortaBox delivery
Choosing a storage container requires thoughtful consideration and planning.

What makes a good storage container?

Although this question may seem a little vague or subjective, the answer is actually simple and straightforward. A good storage container ensures the absolute safety and protection of your belongings inside it while being convenient to access and cost-effective to rent. Your goals may vary depending on the scope and scale of your project but we have outlined a few suggestions below that seem to be universal.

What are the factors to consider before you choose a storage container?

Storage space

The volume of space you need is the first thing you must consider. You need to determine the amount of space needed for storage by analyzing the number and size of items that need to be stored. It really is not a good idea to choose an undersized storage option that forces you to move every item in order to access the specific items that you need. Therefore, one of the key qualities you should look for in a storage container is adequate space. To be completely sure that everything will fit, plan for just a little bit extra so that you are not taken by surprise by belongings not fitting. At the same time, you don’t want to have too much extra space as you will find yourself paying more than you need to.

Items that you plan to store

The type of items that you need to store should guide the type of storage that you need to select. This is important to consider, as you may need to store sensitive belongings. That requires the selection of specialized Newcastle self-storage with excellent security and a temperature-controlled environment.

Level of security

If your storage container will be kept outdoors for any length of time, it is critical to ensure the safety of your items stored inside of it. It is appropriate to choose a storage container with a reliable locking system and weather-resistant features.

The option of valuation coverage

The fact that you have homeowner valuation coverage does not eliminate the need to ask your insurance company whether or not your items will be covered during storage. This is especially important if you need to store items of high value. Note that you have the opportunity to purchase the valuation coverage offered by the storage company WA residents trust if necessary.

Overall rental expenses

Be aware that the cost of storing containers is not the same across providers. Different storage companies often charge for the exact same storage containers differently. Be sure to identify all applicable costs before you make any rental commitments. Just as it is important to consider costs, it is also critical that you carefully select a reliable and trusted warehouse company to rent you a storage container or storage box.

Person counting money.
Make sure you choose a storage container that fits into your budget

What is the price of a storage container?

Nothing derails a storage-related project more quickly than an unexpectedly high price tag. It’s advisable to ensure you have evaluated all your options before starting your project. This way you will minimize surprises and get the best value while making sure your belongings are safe and properly secured. While many storage seekers naturally gravitate toward familiar brands in the storage industry, this may not necessarily be the best choice for your project and your wallet!

Global or national brands often come with costly terms and conditions that can boost your storage expenses and restrict flexibility. Making sure that the price you pay aligns with the storage space you receive is a critical component of making an informed decision when choosing a storage container.

Where will my containers be stored?

Another important thing to consider when choosing storage containers is deciding where you are going to store your things. Saying that there are many storage facilities to choose from would be an understatement. However, not all facilities can offer ease of access to your personal or business belongings. Depending on what your specific project involves, you may need to store some of the things you need access to on a fairly regular basis.

Ask yourself this:

  • How often will you actually need to access belongings from your storage container?
  • How long will you require a storage container?
  • Is the warehouse where your storage container will be housed adequately convenient?
  • Is it important your storage container and belongings it contains be completely safe from both the elements and theft?

Pay attention to the company’s reputation

One of the things you need to pay attention to is the company’s reputation in the market. It pays to contact your friends and neighbors to get information on reputable companies they have used or heard about. You can also use online resources like Google. Another thing you need to pay attention to is the level of service that the company provides. Reputable storage companies regularly inspect the containers they rent, to guarantee their integrity and cleanliness.

Signing a contract
Finally, it is very important that you go through and understand the storage/rental contract that the company presents to you before signing it

Ready to rent your storage container?

Ready to choose a storage container for your home or business? We would be happy to assist you with all your storage needs. As one of the leading Washington storage container rental companies, we have almost 30 years of experience helping our customers secure exactly what they need for portable container storage. Together with you, we will review your project needs, create a plan and cost estimate, and offer a storage solution that will suit you best. Use the form on our website to get a quote and book your storage container quickly and easily.

Latest Posts

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