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.

Ultimate guide for downsizing your Seattle home

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Downsizing a home comes with many benefits but it can also be overwhelming. No matter how much we hate living in clutter, getting rid of stuff makes us feel anxious. We say to ourselves how we want to free up more room while at the same time finding excuses for keeping all our belongings. So, if you were thinking that you are the only one struggling with the contradictory notion of downsizing, know that you are not alone. We all go through these phases at least once in our lifetime. So, if you are thinking about downsizing your Seattle home, this is the guide just for you. Keep reading and you will learn how to turn downsizing into a process that is simple, quick, and stress-free.

Blue house exterior
Moving into a smaller home can bring many benefits

Why downsize your Seattle home, to begin with?

Although living large was once quite popular, it seems to no longer be as appealing. Sure, people are still buying huge homes but instead of filling them with tons of furniture, many are adopting the minimalist lifestyle. In addition to this, many choose to switch their big mansions for smaller homes.

The great thing about this is that tiny homes are forcing us to get rid of the stuff we’re not using anymore. Since there’s not enough room for old and new items, we need to decide whether we’ll clear the space or drown in clutter. Option A definitely sounds like the logical choice. Plus – you don’t even have to get rid of your items completely. You can rent out one of our quality storage units North Seattle and keep your belongings safe there for a while.

Still not sure about the upsides?

If you are still not sure whether downsizing your Seattle home is the right thing to do, let us elaborate further. Here are some of the benefits of downsizing that will show you why so many people choose to move into smaller homes:

  • Downsizing to a smaller home is cost-effective.
  • Maintaining a smaller home is easier.
  • You get to embrace a new, less stressful lifestyle. 
  • Moving to a smaller home instills a cozy feeling of happiness. 

Lastly, you will figure out which items truly matter to you. When downsizing, you need to prioritize the necessary items over the ones that aren’t. You will need to get rid of unnecessary stuff, place the most commonly stored things inside a storage unit, and move the rest of your items into your new home.

Simple tips and tricks for a quick residential downsizing

Having listed the benefits of downsizing your Seattle home, let’s see how you can do that hassle-free. Read on to learn how to find the perfect home, declutter, find door-to-door storage Seattle, and earn a couple of bucks in the process.

Determine your personal needs and find a home to fit those needs perfectly

Moving to a smaller home can be daunting. If you’re used to living in a big home and having tons of stuff, you’ll probably need some time to adjust to the change. But here’s the thing. Downsizing doesn’t mean you should move into the smallest piece of property you find. Instead, you need to determine your needs, figure out what you want, and then look for the perfect home.

Birds eye view of three houses
House hunting needs to be planned carefully and shouldn’t be rushed

Do you have kids? Do you plan to have them in the near future? Are you in the habit of relocating often? These are only some of the questions you will need to ask yourself to find the perfect home. This will also help you determine how big or how small your home should be. Don’t just downsize – be realistic in choosing the right size.

Look for storage units nearby

Since you will be moving into a smaller home, you should google terms such as “portable storage containers for rent near me“. It’s better to get a storage unit that’s closer to your home. You will be able to check on it often and you won’t lose time and money on it. Be on the lookout, however – there are many storage facilities out there. So, you will need to determine which one is the right one for you. Companies such as ours offer a universal self storage container that is not only portable but also saves you the trouble of having to drive or measure the size you need.

Start decluttering

One of the many reasons why people rent storage units is because they want to make more room in their homes. If you want to avoid this, then you should declutter and get rid of the items you no longer use. Decluttering is an essential part of downsizing your Seattle home so be sure not to skip it.

Many people think that decluttering needs to last long and be overwhelming. But don’t worry. That’s not true. We are here to tell you how to declutter your home easily. To avoid getting overwhelmed and stay organized, you should declutter room by room:

  • Start with this task ahead of time and you won’t have to rush.
  • Go through all of your belongings.
  • Make an inventory list and see whether you really need all of them.

Some of the first things you need to separate are the duplicates and the stuff you’re not using anymore. To make this process simpler, create three piles – one for the stuff you’re keeping, the second one for the items you’re throwing away, and the third one for the items you’re going to give away or donate.

Person decluttering clothes after reading a guide on downsizing your Seattle home
Go through all of your items and separate the ones you are going to keep

In case you want to refill your budget, consider selling some of your stuff. You don’t even have to organize a yard sale! Instead of organizing a sale, you can simply try selling your items online on eBay or similar websites.

Ready for downsizing your Seattle home?

Follow the steps we’ve mentioned in this article and take a look at our other guides. And, in case you find yourself in need of a quality storage unit, reach out to us. Your goods will be safe and secure in our storage facilities.

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