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 create your moving out checklist

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Whether you are moving for the first time or you are a frequent mover it is important to plan everything properly. If you don’t have a plan many things can go wrong. Therefore, in order to make the relocation easier for you and your loved ones we have prepared a small guide on how to create your moving out checklist. If you follow this checklist, you will have a seamless moving experience, and you will be enjoying your new place before you know it. So let’s get started! 

It’s important to have a moving out checklist

Creating a moving out checklist is simple and we will show you how to do it. You can always add other things to the list, however, the things that you will find here are the most important ones that you need to do before the moving day arrives. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our checklist, so that you can get inspired and create one yourself.

A couple creating a moving out checklist
Creating a moving out checklist will help you have a smooth relocation.

Calculate your moving budget 

Budgeting is one of the most important things when it comes to moving. This is why we have put it on the top of our list. You don’t have to prepare a spreadsheet with dozens of columns, of course, unless you want to. Instead, you can do it the old-fashioned way, with just a simple pen and paper. Do the math and see what can you spend on the relocation and PortaBox Storage. Therefore, make sure to add budget creation to your list. 

Contact a moving company 

The next thing to add to your list is finding the movers. There are many companies out there, but not all of them are trustworthy. Therefore, make sure to check if they are a BBB-approved company. Share the details of your relocation so that your movers can plan the move better. You can also request a free estimate so that you can know the exact cost of their services.  

Look for a safe storage 

If you need a safe space to keep your items for a certain period, you can go online and type portable storage containers for rent near me. You will find many different storage options. If you want to have a bit more information about the conditions feel free to contact a storage company, they will be more than willing to explain everything.  

Start decluttering 

Another important thing on our moving out checklist is decluttering. People tend to keep things that they never use. This is why getting rid of the clutter before you relocate is important. There is no point in keeping stuff that no longer serves you. Plus moving out is the perfect opportunity to go through your things to see what you have. You will be able to save money. The lesser items you have the lower the moving bill. Items that you decide to keep can always go to the Bainbridge Island self storage. You can leave items that are meant to go to storage all in one place, and start getting rid of the rest.  

Find packing supplies 

There are many places where you can get packing supplies. No matter where you decide to get them you need to make sure that they are of good quality. Low-grade packing supplies are not going to protect your items correctly, which can cause them to get damaged. Moreover, you will need to buy a lot of them. Both to pack your items that are coming with you and the items that are going to the Seattle mini storage. The more you buy the better. This way you will avoid going back to buy more in the middle of the packing.  

Start packing  

You should start packing at least a week or two in advance. Packing takes time, therefore in order not to rush it’s better to start early. Start with packing the items that you don’t need at the moment, like seasonal items. A good packing method you can follow is packing room by room. You are less likely to forget to pack certain things, and the whole packing process is more organized.  

a couple packing
Start packing in advance so that you can have enough time to finish everything before the moving day arrives.

Change your address  

The least favorite part but one of the most important that you need to have on your list is the change of address. Contact your current utility companies to notify them about your move and contact the new ones so that your new place is fully functional when you arrive.  

After that contact government agencies like IRS, DMV, and voter registration office and provide them with your new address. Once you are done, contact your bank and cancel any subscriptions that you might have. 

Prepare an essential bag 

One day before pack your essentials bag. Here you can pack your documents, change of clothes, some hygiene products, some snacks and other things that you might need during the move and on the first day when you arrive at your new place. 

Defrost your fridge 

Make sure to write down things you need to clean, like your fridge so you don’t forget. To prepare your fridge for the move first you need to defrost it and then clean it. This will make the packing and transportation of your fridge easier. Plus, it will be ready to use in your new place. You will not have to clean it again. 

Book a move-out cleaning service 

Before you give back the keys to your landlord you have to clean your place. You can do this alone, if you have the time and energy, or ask your friends and family to give you a helping hand. However, if you didn’t want to be bothered or you simply do not have time to clean everything you can book move-out cleaning services. Some moving companies offer this service, so check with them before you start looking elsewhere.  

a woman holding a box
Make sure to add cleaning to your checklist.

Moving day 

Get up early and get ready to greet your movers. If your car is parked in front of your home, consider moving it down the street so that movers can park the moving truck as close as possible to your home. This will speed up the loading process. With good movers, you will not have much to do, and the entire process will go smoothly.  

Conclusion 

We hope that we have succeeded in showing you how to create a moving out checklist. By following it you will have enough time to execute all the moving tasks without rushing them. Moreover, our checklist will help you stay on track, which will help you stay organized. With a good organization you will have a stress-free moving process, so do not worry. We wish you happy moving!

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