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 Pack Your Seattle Apartment in 24 Hours

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Being in a hurry will probably result in messy makeup, missing an important event, or a couple of upset friends. But being late for moving-out day is something else! Moving can be a pretty stressful event during normal conditions, but if you add delays to it, it can become a really bad experience. Luckily, with some tricks, you can overcome all obstacles and leave Seattle like a boss! After all, a lot of things can be done in 24 hours so this will be your moment to shine! Get ready for making a strategic plan that will help you prepare like a real professional. Here is how to pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours!

Packing last-minute

Even if we managed to make a perfect relocation plan, things can always change unexpectedly. There could be many reasons leading to this, and if it happens time becomes even more essential. Companies like Portabox Storage Seattle can provide emergency space which will be really helpful but you still need to prepare the inventory. So, your first step is making a plan. The best method is to simply write everything down and follow it step by step. Your goal is to see the progress as soon as possible and avoid stress at all costs. 

couple packing their items together as an example of how to pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours
Start with packing one room at a time for faster results

As every household is different, everybody will end up with a different plan. Luckily, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some general tips that can be useful to everyone. To successfully pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours make sure to: 

  • Pack one room at a time
  • Label your boxes 
  • Leave everything you don’t need 
  • Rent a storage

While most of these steps look pretty easy, being prepared can’t do you wrong so here are more details that will help you out! If you wish to change some of them along the way, feel free to do it. As long as the process is not time-consuming and difficult you will be on the right track!

Pack one room at a time

It may seem to you like packing randomly and quickly is the most efficient way. Unfortunately, this will only create a mess and after a short period, you will start stressing out. A much better method is to pack one room at a time. Simply start with the rooms you are using the least and proceed towards the rest of them. When you finish packing a certain room, put the boxes in the corner and move on. This is when you can start categorizing the box that will end up in Seattle mini storage. If your apartment is small, avoid putting the boxes outside the room. you will limit the space and won’t be able to move around. 

Label your boxes so you can efficiently pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours

Labeling is always useful as it will make your unpacking much easier. The same goes out for boxes you plan on storing and picking up later. There are many different types of labeling so make sure to go with the one that suits you the most. Labeling materials include markers in different colors, labeling tapes, or anything else that can help you mark them better.  You can always look for companies that provide packing materials Seattle, if this seems too complicated.

person wrapping and packing books
Labeling your boxes will make unpacking much easier

Once the labeling is over, you can proceed to categorize the boxes and separate them if necessary. Be careful not to mix important items and always have a couple of extra boxes close to you, just in case. Make sure not to get too many of them as some companies will not take them back even if you never used them. When you arrive at your new place it will be much easier to set everything up once you know where each box should go!

Leave everything you don’t need

Chances are big that packing certain items will make you emotional. But since the clock is ticking, there won’t be enough time for that. Items that you don’t use or no longer need should be left behind. You can always find a good charity organization for them later, or organize a quick sale for your new place. Carrying them with you will only make the entire process longer and will take up space you can use for something else. Mobile storage containers Seattle can provide more time for you to make a final decision. Leave everything there until you are ready to give or sell them.

Keep in mind that you can use storage for as long as you want. If you are under pressure or simply don’t want to get rid of them, try to re-organize space in your new home. Once you manage to do it, you can come and pick everything up.

Rent a storage

Speaking of storage, if you want to pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours you can place the entire inventory in storage. Although this sounds like too much, it is probably the best option. Packing is a long and exhausting process and 24 hours is sometimes simply not enough. Instead of wasting that much time, ask for a free estimate to organize your budget and wait for movers to arrive. By doing this you will probably realize that this method is much more affordable! Once everything is on its way to storage, you can finish some smaller tasks in your apartment and get some good sleep. 

man looking at a clock
The best way to easily pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours is to take your inventory to storage and buy some time!

Leaving the city of Seattle surely requires more time, but being in a rush is a pretty common thing. Don’t be too upset about it and stick to your plan as much as possible. Try to be creative and if there is space for multitasking go for it. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience following your instincts will do it. If you need some help to pack your Seattle apartment in 24 hours, feel free to rely on professionals. 

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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