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 make moving less stressful

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Moving can be a really stressful process and there’s no doubt about it. Many things can go wrong and turn the whole experience sour. However, it really doesn’t have to be that way! There are plenty of things you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen. You should have no reason to worry about your upcoming move. Simply follow these rules and make your relocation a smooth and enjoyable experience. That’s exactly the reason why we’re writing this article on how to make moving less stressful. We at PortaBox Storage know how important it is to be well prepared and organized for your move. Our first-hand experience and expertise are what we will share with you, to ensure you have a good time! Let’s get straight into it.

Plan your move enough time in advance

You should definitely plan your move enough time before the moving date. Once you set the relocation date with your moving company, start organizing the whole thing. Give yourself enough time to think through all the things that should be done, and prioritize them accordingly. For instance, if you have kids, the last room that should be cleared and packed is the nursery. You want to make sure your child’s life still follows the same routine as before. At the same time, the first thing you should pack and get out of the way are clothes for the next season. If it’s summer, make sure your winter clothes are packed, so that the clothes you wear are still available to you. Search for portable storage containers for rent near me, if you have a surplus of things and items you are not sure what to do with.

Couple loading boxes in a car after they've made their move less stressful
Moving should be a fun and pleasant experience, not a stressful one!

Get enough packing supplies

There are a few ways to get ahold of packing supplies. First off, ask your friends, family, or neighbors if they have packing supplies to spare. Usually, someone can help you with that if they had previously moved. It’s also a cheaper option than buying new ones, so that’s always a plus when it comes to moving. Next, browse online ads on websites like Craigslist. People tend to sell those for a lower price. Sometimes they are even giving them away for free! A lot of people have a surplus of packing supplies and don’t want to just throw them away. You can also check your local convenience stores to see if they have either some spare boxes to share, or if they sell new ones. Lastly, get in touch with Bainbridge Island self storage, as reliable storage companies have packing supplies ready on hand.

Items wrapped in packing paper
Make sure you get have packing supplies on hand as this is the proper way how to make moving less stressful

Pack an overnight bag prior to moving 

If you pack literally all of your things before the move, it can really be a stressful situation when you arrive at your new home and find yourself searching for something you really need at that moment. To avoid that doesn’t happen, simply pack an overnight bag. Make sure you include all of the essential things you’ll need once you get there. We mean things like: 

  • Clean clothes for the next day
  • A towel or two
  • Toothbrush, shampoo, and other essential hygiene products
  • Diapers, baby wipes, bottles, and other items your child would need

Being prepared and one step ahead will be a key factor in making your move less stressful. It should really be a pleasant experience you’ll remember fondly, and not in a bad way!

Ask your friends and family for help 

Make sure to get all the help you can get! Moving can be stressful enough as it is. You shouldn’t do it all alone and carry the entire burden on your back. That’s why we have friends and family, to help us in our time of need. While you pack and organize your move, you’re going to have a lot of other obligations to go along with them. Landing a new job, securing a purchase of your new house, and many other things. Things can get a lot more complicated if you have kids as well! You don’t want to disrupt their routine and habits, so you’d have to make sure they lead their normal lives as you go along and pack. In these cases, reach out to people you trust and ask them to help you. They can help you pack, babysit your kids, or do anything else you need a hand with! 

Using a labeling system is how to make moving less stressful

To make moving less stressful when relocation day comes, make sure you use a labeling system when packing your stuff. Labeling your moving boxes can make all the difference. Your movers will definitely have an easier task when loading your boxes into the transportation vehicle. For instance, pack your fragile items like glassware and art pieces properly and label those boxes in an adequate way. Reliable moving companies will definitely handle all of your items and boxes with great care! This will only make it even easier for them, as they will know where and how exactly to place those boxes to minimize the risk of damage.

Couple hugging after a successful and non-stressful move
Follow the steps in this article to ensure your move is fun and enjoyable!

Find a reliable moving and storage company to make moving less stressful 

We can’t stress this part enough. Hiring a reliable moving and storage company can make or break any move. You don’t want to have your boxes and fragile items left in the hands of movers without adequate experience and care. If those items happen to get damaged or broken, you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it if you didn’t get some kind of insurance. Equally important is finding a proper Seattle Mini storage if you have some boxes you wish to store away for some time. Sometimes we find ourselves not knowing what to do with certain items, so it’s best to store them and think about them when your move is complete. We hope you’ll follow these tips on how to make moving less stressful and enjoy your relocation once it happens! 

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