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 plan your self-storage budget

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If it happens that there are some items that are only in your way and you do not need them at the moment, feel free to store them. However, what you probably have in mind is how to plan your self-storage budget. This can be quite tricky but the good thing is that you can plan it if you take into consideration some important aspects. We are going to help you and let you know what to pay special attention to. In this way, you will know precisely how much you are going to pay and there will be no unpleasant surprises.

You need to know how much money you have at your disposal

Before you make any decision and before you even start looking for storage, you need to know some basic things. First of all, you need to know how much money you can spend on storage on a monthly basis. So, what you need to do is go through your monthly profit-and-loss statement. You will see how large your revenue and your expenses are. Feel free to ask your accountant to come and help you.

People going through documents
What you should do is go through your revenues and expenses with your accountant and you will get a clearer picture

In this way, you will both go through all of the details and you eventually come up with some rough numbers. If you want to do this in detail, take some more time and you will know the exact number. After that, feel free to contact Ballard self storage and ask for a unit.

Make sure you take into consideration your first-year budget

In case you rent in for a short period of time, some companies may ask you to pay for 2 or 3 months. Of course, this depends on how long you are renting the unit. So, think about whether you are going to need one of the safest temporary storage Seattle offers or if you prefer the long-term one. Do some calculations and you will see whether your budget is going to be enough. Just remember that, if you rent a long-term unit, it may be possible for you to negotiate with the company and try to lower your expenses.

When you plan your self-storage budget, think about how large a unit you will need

The size of a storage unit also plays a great role. Basically, if you need a larger storage unit, you will have to pay more. However, what you should remember is that, if you are surrounded by professionals, there is a solution to every problem. For example, if you or some of your employees are master packers and organizers, you will be in a situation to rent a smaller unit that you thought you needed.

Man surrounded by boxes
When you plan your self-storage budget, think about how large a unit you are going to need

Some of your office equipment can be disassembled and put in your storage unit in pieces. Since there probably are some bulky items, you are going to benefit from this. Of course, should you need any kind of help, you can count on professionals from some of the safest business storage Seattle offers. They will help you choose a storage solution that fits your needs and provide you with useful tips.

Contact several companies and compare their rates

Another thing you should bear in mind is that it is possible to pay different prices for one and the same service. However, what is different are the companies and the quality of their services. It does not mean that something is better just because it is more expensive. What you should do is do research and check which companies seem reliable. After that, get in touch with them and ask for an estimate for self-storage services. You will see how much they ask and you will know whether your budget is enough. Should you put your trust in Seattle mini storage, you are not going to make a mistake. The representatives are going to let you know what you can expect if you decide to use the services.

Think about what kind of packing supplies you are going to need

Even though you will be using your storage unit for commercial purposes, your items should be properly packed. Whether you will be storing some large pieces of equipment or documents, you need to be sure that they will be safe. For this reason, pay special attention to what kind of packing supplies you are going to use. Of course, you can use cardboard boxes for smaller appliances. However, if you are storing some important documents, it is advisable that you use plastic boxes.

Man and woman buying plastic boxes
Get plastic boxes for storing some important and sensitive items and you will get to use them later again

Even though they are more expensive, they are worth it. They are more durable and your documents will be safe inside. In addition to this, boxes of this kind are reusable, which means that you will have a chance to use them again in the future. Think about details of this kind and you will thank yourself later.

Storing your items requires a bit more than just putting your belongings in boxes. First of all, you should plan your self-storage budget. We have pointed out some of the most important things you need to take into consideration. Now, what you should do is do some calculations and see which option suits you best. Do not forget to get proper packing materials in order to take good care of your items. The entire process may take some time, but it is going to be worth it. Your items are going to be in a safe place and you will avoid spending more money than necessary.

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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