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 recognize fraudulent self storage companies

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When renting a storage unit, you want the whole process to develop as smoothly as possible. However, with so many dishonest companies out and about, this isn’t always the case. Because of this, it’s very important to recognize fraudulent self storage companies and to avoid them. Your items can only be safe if you choose an honest and legitimate company. Now, you’re probably wondering: “But how can I find good and reliable portable storage containers for rent near me?” Well, with the expert help from PortaBox, of course! In all the chaos of moving and finding ways to store your items, you can easily be a victim of storage fraud. But if you understand how these work, you’ll have a much easier time avoiding them. That’s why we’re here to offer you some good pointers on what to look for and what to avoid. Because you deserve only the best!

woman trying to recognize fraudulent self storage companies
You can only find a good storage company through thorough research

You can easily recognize fraudulent self storage companies thanks to early warning signs

person signing a storage contact
Make sure you carefully read the contract and its fine print

With good guidance, anyone can learn how to avoid fraudulent self storage companies and only settle for the best PortaBox Storage Seattle. There are a few tricks that fake companies resort to, but they can be very easily spotted. Once you learn how dishonest companies function, you’ll be able to spot all of the red flags, and simply walk away from them. We will, of course, explain all of these in detail, but for starters, here is a brief summary. When looking for a good storage facility, keep in mind the following:

  • Before you do anything, make sure to read the online reviews
  • Avoid any large deposits or downpayments asked of you
  • Carefully read the contract presented to you, making sure there are no blank spots or odd phrasings
  • If possible visit the facility itself, and carefully observe the personnel and the units themselves

All of these tasks will greatly help you make your final decision. The more research you do, the easier it will become for you to spot these seemingly small, but very important points.

Online reviews can say a lot about your chosen storage company

Although reviews can be very helpful, there is one thing you must understand. Not every review you read online is trustworthy. As unfortunate as it seems, certain people really do visit the internet with the sole purpose to spread misinformation. Naturally, you wouldn’t hire a company that has numerous negative reviews. However, you also need to be cautious when it comes to service providers with excessively positive reviews too. These can also be a sign of a rogue company, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

When looking for competent on-demand storage facilities Seattle, always check multiple sources. Dishonest companies don’t usually have reviews on third-party websites, and they often change their name in order to create a deception. A good company will have realistic comments that explain their experience in detail. Lastly, another sign of a good company is the way in which they approach and handle their negative reviews.

Be careful when discussing paying for a unit upfront

two people shaking hands
Pay attention to how the company treats you both as a person and client

If a storage company asks you to leave a large cash deposit on a unit upfront, it is a clear sign that something isn’t right. From this point on, it is very easy for them to take your money and run, without giving you the service you paid for. In most cases, companies won’t ask for a deposit, while in some cases it will be a very small downpayment.

With certified self storage companies, you will know exactly what you are paying for. This means that you can get additional services, such as quality packing materials, and not have to worry about any surprise expenses. With a good company, you can get a high-quality service, with affordable and transparent prices. Honest self storage companies know how important your budget is, and that is why they do their best to provide you with a solution that will make everyone satisfied.

Make sure to go through the contract carefully

Your main goal when renting a unit is to make sure all of your items are safe at all times. That is why you need to be certain that your belongings really are in good hands. The only thing that can guarantee absolute safety is a contract. And this very contract is the best tool to help you spot fake storage companies. A good company will present you with a contract that is completely filled out.

It should have details such as your lease period, the price, and any other services you opted for. Additionally, it should clearly state that there will be no hidden costs or extra charges. If any of these points is missing, it is a cause for concern. Do not do anything until you’ve fully read the contract and all of its terms. If something isn’t clear to you, make sure to ask the staff before signing.

Pay attention to the staff behavior and etiquette

The way people behave can tell you a lot about how they run their business. If you carefully observe the way a business representative acts, you can easily recognize fraudulent self storage companies. If your chosen company rushes you to sign the contract as quickly as possible, it is a clear sign that you aren’t dealing with professionals. You can also tell that you’re dealing with suspicious people if they avoid your questions about their services, or give vague answers.

No matter how affordable a company may seem, there always has to be a level of professionalism when dealing with a potential client. If you give PortaBox a call, for example, you’ll be greeted by a polite representative who will clearly state the name of the company upon answering. A good storage company knows not just how to attract a client, but how to form a long-lasting friendship as well.

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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