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.

The risks and downsides of drive-up storage

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If your living area is cluttered with items you don’t need or use, renting a storage unit is the perfect solution to free up space in your home. It has become a popular option for people today, one that comes in a variety of prices and types. Whether you’re remodeling, moving, or simply decluttering – storage offers a great short-term or long-term solution for your needs. Drive-up storage units are still among the more popular choice for a lot of people, simply because they are affordable and easily accessible. However, there are still things that one needs to consider before opting for this old-school type of storage. As a modern storage service provider, PortaBox Storage Seattle explores the risks and downsides of drive-up storage from the perspective of customers that use our own services.

Security is a major drawback of drive-up storage units

camera on a wall
Lack of security is why so many people avoid this outdated type of storage unit.

Security is one of the main concerns when it comes to drive-up storage solutions. Once you put your things inside, you receive a key and it’s up to you to keep it locked. However, it is not a perfect solution as most drive-up storage providers don’t invest in 24/7 security. Add to that the low coverage in terms of surveillance and lights and you get a very high risk of burglary.

Additionally, most drive-up storages don’t perform a thorough background check on their employees. So you never know if any criminals are working close to your valuables. Thus you can never move away for a long time because you will always worry if something happened. So instead of constantly stressing and checking if everything is there, it is better to avoid them.

On the other hand, having modern and user-friendly solutions such as portable Issaquah self storage containers offers more security and peace of mind. The storage comes to you and is then taken to a location of your choosing or to a professional storage facility that is secure and not accessible to anyone other than vetted employees.

Exposure to elements of nature

Another potentially major flaw of drive-up storage lies in its design. In most cases, we’re looking at garages with little to no isolation necessary to keep your belongings safe from harsh weather conditions. Unlike closed-off temperature-controlled facilities, drive-up storage is not located inside of a building. It means that you have no control of the conditions inside the unit.

  • Take for example items made out of wood. It is highly sensitive to temperature changes. So if it spends a long time in the outdoor like conditions quite quickly, it will suffer damage. Among all downsides of drive-up storage, this one is most dangerous to consider.

That is why it is better to rent well-built and resistant Redmond self-storage containers that you can have transported inside a secure storage facility, where all your belongings will be twice as safe.

Pests are a common occurrence

mouse on a branch
Pests are the biggest downsides of drive-up storage because of the damage they can do

One of the biggest dangers to the safety of your belongings is pests. Insects, rats, and mice can quickly destroy a large amount of stuff. Also, in most cases, you will not be able to repair the damages. Instead, you will have to throw them away and buy new ones. However, if some of the lost items have an emotional value, they are irreplaceable.

On the other hand, going with a door to door storage Seattle option is a pest-free solution. Otherwise, with the regular drive-up storage units, you will have to watch what you put inside. Avoid any foods because they will quickly attract them. Also, no books, magazines, and especially no personal documents. Because mice really love nibbling on paper. And it will take ages to get a new copy of an important piece of paper.

Difficult to maintain

These storages are really convenient because you can just drive your belongings to the door. You do not have to hire a moving company Washington to do it for you. That makes them quite affordable as there are no extra expenses. Yet, with this positive side, there is a bigger issue at hand. Most of the people who use them are use to periodically adding stuff inside. Because of this routine, when the time comes to find something specific, it is almost impossible. Among the piles of stuff, you will never know where something is. If you want to make use of it, you need to make sure to implement an organizing system. Also, every time you need something, you will have to go and get it. It is a waste of gas and your money.

Always consider the downsides of drive-up storage before you rent one

There are many downsides to drive-up storage, so it is better to be well informed before you decide on renting one. Otherwise, you might store items that will quickly get damaged. Of course, the city of Seattle has a variety of different storage solutions. And it will take time to find the one that is perfect for your needs. However, think carefully if all the risks are worth it.

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I shopped around and could not beat the price. But, what really impressed me was the driver's concern and attention for my things - that was the icing on the cake. I'll recommend you to my friends.

Mary G

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