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.

What to do with leftover packing materials

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After the move, we all have the same problem – how to handle leftover packing materials. While it would be very easy to rip everything apart and throw it away, there are many other things that you can do to expand your packing materials’ lifespan and put them to good use. Reusing can be economical and eco-friendly. That is why PortaBox Storage Seattle prepared a list of ideas that you can use for your surplus packing supplies. Take a look.

Be careful during the unpacking process

The first thing that you should pay attention to if you want to have an opportunity to reuse your packing supplies is to be careful with unpacking. The unpacking process is probably the most difficult part of the move. You are already dealing with your move for a few weeks.

You handled the packing, loading, transport, and unloading, and all it takes to settle into your new home is to get your stuff out of packing materials Seattle offers. While it can be very convenient to rip your boxes open, not thinking about their state, if you want to leave the boxes suitable for reusing, you need to do it carefully.

If you think that this is not something that you will be able to do, we suggest that you find and hire a packing and unpacking service who will do it for you. Professionals know how to deal with boxes carefully, and due to the quality of packing materials they usually use, your boxes will have a much bigger chance of survival.

a pile of used boxes
Carefully unpack your boxes if you plan to reuse them

Use your old boxes for storage

If you, or your packers, left a ton of boxes and wraps that could be reused, you need to figure out where to put them to use. Of course, the first idea that comes to everyone’s mind, especially after the move, is storage. If you are renting self storage Boise to keep your excess items, your leftover packing materials will be perfect for it. Packing your items before storage helps your items survive longer. Packed items are protected from dirt, moisture, condensation, and even pests.

Moreover, properly packed items take up less space. This means that you will have an opportunity to rent a smaller and, therefore, cheaper storage unit. Finally, cardboard boxes are easy to label. Therefore you will have a much more organized storage unit.

Keep your boxes for your next move

Leftover packing supplies can be used to protect your items in our self storage Shoreline containers. However, if you are not planning to store any of your items, you will have to find another way to reuse your excess boxes. If you used cardboard boxes for your move, it would be easy to dismantle them and keep them somewhere in your home for your next move.

Of course, this solution is great when you know that you will be moving again soon. If you are not sure whether you will move again in the near future, maybe taking up space in your home with used boxes is not such a great idea after all.

handing over a box
You can always give your boxes to someone

Give the boxes to someone you know

Ok, but what to do if you are not planning to move or use storage? Maybe you know someone who will. Ask your friends, family members, or neighbors. Maybe someone is planning to move in the next couple of weeks. They will certainly need your boxes. And you can save them a lot of money if you let them have your boxes. Of course, our suggestion is to let them have your packing materials immediately so you can have an opportunity to put your excess space to proper use as soon as possible.

Sell your leftover packing materials to movers

There are many moving companies that will be ready to buy packing materials from you. Of course, this usually refers to packing boxes that were not used at all during your move. If you bought more than you need, you will have an option to sell your unused boxes to a moving company in your vicinity.

Donate your packing materials to charity organizations

If you have a ton of reusable packing materials, you are not planning to move or use storage, you do not have anyone who will put it to use, and you do not want to deal with selling your items to movers, maybe you could donate. Charity organizations need moving boxes and wrapping all the time. And they get their supplies from the people like you. The good thing about this is that they will usually come to your place to pick up the donation. So you do not have to deal with transport.

a box robot
You and your kids can have a fun time with some of your leftover boxes

Use your boxes creatively

Of course, there are many ways to use packing supplies creatively. There are a ton of ideas online that you can use to create art from packing boxes. You can have fun with it, and so can your kids. Of course, you will have to be creative. And do not expect to have an idea for every box in your inventory. Still, you will have an opportunity to use at least a few boxes for this.

Recycle your leftover packing materials

Finally, when everything from above fails, you can always recycle your boxes. You can find a recycling center in your area and take the boxes and wraps by yourself. Or you can hire a junk removal service to do it for you.

Reusing packing supplies is eco-friendly and economical

As you can see, there are many ways to reuse leftover packing materials. The worst way would be to throw them away as garbage simply. Be creative and prolong the lifespan of your boxes. It is economical and, most importantly eco friendly.

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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