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.

Top mistakes people make when using portable storage

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There are plenty of people that use portable storage today. The reasons could be various, from moving and organizing your home, to storing important office documents. However, there is always a risk that your belongings end up damaged just because of the way they are packed. So, there are some rules to follow when packing your belongings. These can be common mistakes people make when using portable storage. You can say that that didn’t happen to you, but that doesn’t make it impossible. It is possible to avoid them and learn how to properly pack everything. PortaBox Storage Seattle is here to teach you how to get the job done right.

Packing without a plan is one of the mistakes people make when using portable storage

A good organization is a key to success. And that applies everywhere. No matter if it’s moving or just organizing your home. This requires a lot of planning ahead. If you pack a container without a proper plan, you are gambling with the future of your stuff. Also, you could maximize the space by stacking items the proper way; especially if you are renting a Seattle mini storage container.

make a plan to avoid mistakes people make when using portable storage
Making your plan in advance will help the packing process and prevent your things from ending up damaged.

See the list below to get an idea of where should you begin:

  • Pack the heaviest things first. They can take a lot of weight of things you will eventually put on top of them.
  • First entering could be also the things that are not in use very often. Underutilized things will be the most difficult to get to once everything is stacked up.
  • One of the mistakes people make when using portable storage is not disassembling furniture. Take out all the drawers and shelves to avoid things tumbling inside.
  • Label everything. Imagine you have to open every box to find something you packed unintentionally. You will be happy once you start looking for things.

How to load boxes after packing things for portable storage

You’ll be surprised if we tell you that people actually freak out when they open a container after a while. This could be because of the unsuitable packing materials, or just the way the boxes are loaded into the container. You need to ensure the safety of your items. After that, try to prevent damage and maximize the space you have. First, fill every hole. The drawer of the desk or the inside of the sofa you’re storing in the container. Also, here are 8 mistakes to avoid when packing boxes for your move or storage. Your goal is the fewest boxes possible. You need to close each and every one of them, but be sure there is no more place inside. That way you will protect your items from tumbling and breaking.

boxes stacked on top of the man
Even though storing items can be an exhausting job, it pays off in the end. Organize every box correctly and weigh them to properly pack stuff in the container.

Moreover, remember to distribute the weight accordingly and evenly. Bulky items should be packed both back and front. To achieve this, you will need to create a walkway between boxes and/or furniture. That’s why stacking things properly on top of the other is a great way of storing them. You won’t need to crawl over boxes. Take note of the weight of the boxes, too. That will help you on which one should go into the Kirkland self-storage container first.

  • Bonus tip: try to keep the walkway somewhere in the middle of the unit. If you want to place things there, they should be small and light-weighted. That way you won’t need to move a lot to access what you need.

Storing inappropriate things is a mistake people make when using portable storage

Even though some things can sound obvious, they occur when not packing carefully. Remember to thoroughly clean all of the things you’re about to store. Food leftovers can really spoil everything. It’s not just the smell, but the things could develop mold and the damage can be permanent. Be extra careful with things you are sure you want to use in the future. For example, there are a lot of benefits of using self-storage with your hobbies. If you don’t plan on visiting the unit frequently, clean and carefully dry every single item before you place it in the box.

rainy day is not good for packing things in portable storage
If possible, avoid packing items for storage on a rainy day. If not, ensure everything is dry before closing the door.

Likewise, don’t pack your portable storage on a rainy day. It might sound like a good idea, but certain materials can really suffer if stored wet. Mildew equals garbage, so don’t risk infecting other of your belongings. If you can’t avoid the weather, ensure that all the items are cleaned and dry before you close the door. If not, leave the doors open for a while and you won’t have surprises when you come back.

The best way to protect your things when using portable storage

If even one of these mistakes sounds familiar to you, maybe you should go and check your portable storage unit. There is a chance you were packing in a hurry and that your things are being damaged. Also, remember if you used newspaper for packing. The ink can bleed all over things and maybe it’s time to save what can be saved. Start packing all over again following our tips.

On the other hand, if you’re about to pack things for portable storage, keep in mind all of these things. Use extra padding for fragile items and avoid these mistakes people make when using portable storage. That will keep your objects protected and damage-free. Renting portable storage is still the best solution for decluttering or moving. You will be sure your belongings are safe by following these rules. Your packing will now be smooth as silk.

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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