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.

When should you look for temperature-controlled storage?

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If you are not sure which type of storage you should rent, consider finding a unit with temperature control. An inventory made out of fragile, sensitive, and valuable items is always safer in this type of storage. Take a look at some cases when you should look for temperature-controlled storage facilities.

Which items require temperature-controlled storage?

When it comes to choosing high-quality storage, the nature of the inventory often suggests the best storage option. While some items can be stored long-term in any storage facilities, valuable and sensitive items require special conditions. The difference in the materials your inventory is made out of should decide whether you should look for temperature-controlled storage or not. Here are some items that require special conditions inside a storage unit:

  • Furniture pieces made out of wood. This category also implies antique furniture with pieces of leather and other natural materials.
  • Electronic equipment (like TVs, DVDs, etc…), and household appliances.
  • Pieces of artwork like paintings, sculptures, etc.
  • Expensive clothing made out of leather, velvet, or silk.
  • Important documents and paperwork.
  • Medical supplies and medications.
  • Antiques, photographs, and memorabilia.
Thermostat
If you live in a city with unpredictable weather or harsh temperature conditions, you should look for temperature-controlled storage.

Even though this list shows only a few of the items you need to put in temperature-controlled storage, there could be many others. However, another factor you should consider is the time frame of storing. If you plan to rent a storage unit in the middle of the move for one week, some of your belongings could do just fine without additional temperature control. Keep in mind that temperature-controlled units are still the safest option, no matter which type of inventory you need to store.

Storing in extreme temperature conditions

If you live in a city with unpredictable weather or harsh temperature conditions, you should look for temperature-controlled storage. Most commonly, heat or very low temperatures (below freezing) are natural enemies to our belongings in storage. Also, high humidity is something you should protect your inventory from. So, if you live in the city with very warm summers and harsh winters, then you should look for temperature-controlled storage units.

Storing highly valuable items

Whether you are in the middle of the move or just looking for extra space for your stuff, renting a storage unit is always a good idea. No matter how long you plan to rent it, it’s important to find a storage facility with quality units. You should always try to find storage that is spacious enough, clean, and dry. These conditions will be the key to saving your valuables, no matter what they’re made out of.

Storing highly valuable items like musical instruments, electronic equipment or artwork should always be stored with the right conditions. Before you decide to move these items to a safe place, you should look for a temperature-controlled storage facility.

a key in the lock
Make sure to check your self-storage unit before renting it.

Leaving storage unit unsupervised

In some cases, people don’t have the opportunity to check on their belongings in the storage unit. If you need to put some items away and leave them for longer periods of time, you should also look for temperature-controlled storage units. For example, if you are searching for self-storage in West Seattle, you should make a storage plan and check the unit yourself before storing it. In case the storage unit you find is in great condition and also affordable, you should be able to leave it unsupervised for some time.

More often than not, people move long-distance and need to store their household inventory for some time. If you move to another country, you might not be able to check your storage on a regular basis. This is one of the situations when you should look for temperature-controlled storage facilities.

Long-term storing

In a very similar situation, leaving your inventory long-term in the storage unit is not an easy decision. A facility that doesn’t provide temperature-controlled storage units will not be able to guarantee the safety of your things. If you are looking for temperature-controlled units, you will ensure the safety of the most fragile and expensive belongings you have.

Another way you can prepare your inventory for long-term storage is to use the right packing materials. If you let your movers know more about the size and nature of your inventory, they will provide the best quality materials to keep it safe. Moreover, you should consider spending some extra money on professional packing services. This service might save you a lot of money by protecting your valuables in the long run.

Where to look for temperature-controlled storage?

Now that you know when you should look for temperature-controlled storage, you should learn where to look for it. With so many online storage companies to choose from, it’s not always easy to make the right decision. What you should try to do is to look for companies that specialize in not just one but many different storage solutions.

Upon contacting a company like this, you’ll be able to make the best storage plan and choose the unit of the right size. In case you are looking for a unit you can always have access to, you should search for Ballard self-storage solutions. These units are perfect for last-minute storing, especially when you want to have full access to your belongings with minimal notice.

Security system
A facility that doesn’t provide temperature-controlled storage units will not be able to guarantee the safety of your things.

In order to secure your inventory in the most efficient way, you should try to find facilities that provide high-quality storage units. If you look for temperature-controlled storage, you might pay some extra money but your things will be safe and secure inside of it.

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