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 benefits of reorganizing your household with self storage

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Do you have a room in your home that is currently not being used because of the clutter it contains? If you do, you probably think that it’s ok because that room doesn’t have a particular purpose. But what if we showed you that reorganizing your household with self storage and emptying that room could have huge benefits on your entire lifestyle as well as your family’s? Of course, in order to do this right, you need to make sure that your items are kept in some quality storage units North Seattle has to offer – if you want to keep them in good condition, that is. Now let’s take a look at what you can actually make from that one room you used for storage and how to do it right.

First, you need to prepare and determine what items you actually need to keep

Decluttering your household is not easy, especially if you are doing this for the first time. You have to do a lot of planning and preparation in order to do it right. The first thing that you need to do is to separate the useful items from junk – and you will have a lot of it, believe it or not. Storing junk will not only increase your storage cost, but it will also make the process much more difficult. That is why your first task is to get rid of it.

A cluttered garage
First, make sure that you get rid of the junk

Of course, how you will do it, depends on how much junk you actually have. And whether it is really junk or maybe just some useful items that you do not need. Here are your options:

  • You can organize a yard sale (if you have plenty of items), sell them online, or sell them to some used items retailer in your area.
  • If you do not want to bother with selling your excess stuff, you can find a charity organization and donate them.
  • If your excess items are not in good shape to be sold or donated, you can call a junk removal service or take them to the recycling center in your vicinity.

Of course, selling your items is not an easy task. So if you are in a hurry to free up the space in your home, you can actually rent some good short term storage Seattle residents often use. And put those items there until you figure out what to do with them.

Make a detailed list of items that are going to storage

Once you get rid of the excess stuff, catalog those that you plan to move to your self storage Boise. Make a detailed list that will contain your items’ names, dimensions, weights, as well as their condition. This list will help you determine what storage unit size you need to rent, keep track of the items you keep in storage and prepare an appropriate number of boxes you need for packing.

Your items need to be well packed if you want them to survive long terms storage unharmed

Finally, you need to make sure that your items are well packed before you put them in storage. As we mentioned above, use that inventory list you created to determine how many boxes you need. Of course, try to find the best packing materials Seattle is offering. That is the only way to keep your items safe while in storage.

cardboard boxes
Your items need to be packed in quality packing materials before you put them in storage

What you can do after you free up the cluttered space in your home

Now let’s take a look at what you can actually gain by reorganizing your household with self storage. Here are some ideas:

  • Create a home office
  • Add a guest room
  • Free up your garage
  • Create a workshop
  • Set up a home gym

Turn your cluttered room into a home office

Nowadays, everyone has a need for a home office. Whether you are doing it full-time or part-time, freeing up one room in your home means that you can turn that one room into an office. If you are currently renting office space, this will immensely help your budget. Then you can simply redirect a small part of that money to pay for a storage unit.

Allow your guests to enjoy your home even more by creating a guest room

If you frequently have guests that are staying overnight, reorganizing your household with self storage means that you will be able to have a guest room in your home. Your guests will be able to stay longer (if you want that). And you will feel like a proper host if you can provide them with a separate room and a bed. Of course, that means that you will have to buy additional furniture. Unless you already have it among that clutter you planned to store.

Keep your car in the garage instead of outside

If your garage is currently replacing your storage, freeing it up means that you will be able to keep your car in your garage. Brilliant idea, isn’t it? Jokes to the side, your car is surely suffering outside. Sun, rain, snow, autumn leaves, all affect your vehicle. If you keep it inside a garage, you will immensely increase its longevity.

Create a workshop

Another thing that you can do with the space you currently hold under clutter is a workshop.  If you like woodworking, for example, or something similar, reorganizing your household with self storage will help you create that workshop you always dreamed about. Of course, for this, you will need a lot of space. And it would be best if you do it with a garage or a shed. Woodworking is not particularly appropriate to be practiced inside a home.

woodworking workshop
You can create your own workshop if you declutter your garage or a shed

Say goodbye to crowded gyms and workout in the comfort of your home

Are you paying a lot of money for your monthly gym pass? If you like to work out but you are not a fan of doing it in front of other people, simply, redirect that money to storage and workout equipment. And make a home gym for yourself.

Make sure that you find good storage

As you can see reorganizing your household with self storage has many benefits. It all depends on your needs and how much space you will actually gain by doing this. Still, make sure that you find good storage that will keep your items safe.

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