Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage 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. The health & safety of our customers, staff, service providers, and local community are paramount and we continue to adhere to all directives from local, state, and federal government agencies.
Although many unknowns still remain, rest assured that Hansen Bros. will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs. Our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

OUR ACTIONS FOR COVID-19

All Hansen Bros. Employees are instructed and expected to follow the guidelines provided by the CDC. This includes:

  • Staying home from work if ill, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or having been exposed to someone with the virus
  • Washing hands frequently with soap or using proper hand sanitizer when soap is not available
  • Maintaining a 6’ social distance from others to the highest degree possible
  • Wearing appropriate face masks when/if requested or required

Hansen Bros. continues to take the following steps:

  • Regularly refreshing and reinforcing prevention guidelines among all staff members to reduce the risk of spreading infection
  • Daily monitoring of staff for symptoms of illness and sending anyone with symptoms home
  • Offering customers the option of contact-free virtual estimate appointments – More Information About Virtual Estimates
  • Following all guidelines and protocols required by Retirement Living Communities, Apartment Complexes, Condominiums, Commercial Buildings, etc.
  • Upon request and at no charge, our crew members can wear masks while performing your move. Please simply notify your Relocation Consultant if this is your preference.

Hansen Bros. requests the following of our customers:

  • If you have a scheduled estimate appointment or booked move, please notify us immediately if you or any members of your household have been exposed to COVID-19, tested positive for COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms including cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. Please rest assured there is NO CHARGE to reschedule your estimate or move due to illness – we will work together to find an alternate date that works for you.
  • Please use disinfectant/cleaner to wipe down commonly touched surfaces, objects, door handles, etc. at your residence.
  • Please make a sink, hand soap, and paper towels available to your outside salesperson and moving crew for handwashing during their time within your home.
  • Please keep all windows open throughout the moving process as this allows for greater airflow and reduces the containment of germs.
  • Please maintain a social distance of 6’ or greater during both your in-person estimate appointment and while moving services are being performed.

Here are some informative and helpful resources about COVID-19:

The team at Hansen Bros. is proud to continue offering our wide range of services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. Whether you are planning to move your household or business down the street, across the country, or around the world, we’re here to make the process seamless & safe for you, just as we’ve done for well over a century!

~Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage  

Pros and cons of LTL shipping

paper plane icon

Free Moving Estimate

    LTL (Less Than Load) is a shipping method in which one truck carries multiple shipments from multiple customers. It is a method of choice for those individuals and businesses who are transporting a smaller parcel. If this sounds like your situation, you might want to consider looking into those international commercial shipping companies that offer LTL shipping. However, that is not to say that this shipping method does not come with certain disadvantages. With that in mind, it would be best that you get familiar with the pros and cons of this method, as it will help with your final decision.

    The benefits of LTL shipping

    Containers for shipping goods
    Every shipping method has its pros and cons depending on the needs of the client.

    As there are multiple methods of shipping, it is only logical to assume all of them have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the needs of the customers. So, with no particular point, we decided to start by listing the pros.

    LTL offers more options than FTL

    While there are many different LTL shippers, all of them still offer many different options for their customers. Just as with best movers Seattle, apart from pickup and delivery, one can also choose from commercial and non-commercial delivery to different neighborhoods. As you now know, LTL shipping allows for door-to-door international shipping services. This method offers a plethora of different options, of which we are sure you are going to find favorites. Just make sure to be careful when looking for your shipper of choice.

    It is more cost-effective

    At this point, we will be straightforward, and say that we are well aware of how shipping your items can be an expensive choice. Not only over long distances but locally as well. With this in mind, we are confident when saying that LTL shipping is more affordable than FTL shipping, making this fact one of its biggest advantages. It really is simple math. Since you are taking up only a part of a truck with your freight as a shipper, you will also be paying for only a portion of the shipping costs. What you can deduce from this is that everyone sharing the truck will also be sharing the costs, and that works in everyone’s favor.

    LTL shipping more sustainable

    A tree in a glass bowl
    LTL shipping is a great way to make your move greener.

    We are now more than ever living in a time where the preservation of the environment is climbing the priority ladder. And, if you are the one playing for the green team, you will be glad to know that the Less Than Load shipping method goes along with your ideals. It is by sharing the space in the truck with other shippers that you will be participating in the reduction of harmful emissions. By taking up one truck on your own that you cannot fill up, you are doing our environment a disservice.

    The downsides of LTL shipping

    While for the vast majority of people the pros of LTL method win over the cons, we will still mention the latter. After all, it is always good to be informed of all the sides of the service you are an option for. Even if these are not so common to occur, you should be in the know. In the end, it is the only way to make a sound and informed decision.

    Your items might take a longer time to arrive

    Since you will be sharing the truck with a number of people, you cannot really expect that they will arrive as quickly as if you were shipping on your own. This downside is most commonly experienced when you are moving to a different state and have sent your goods through a cross-country shipment. In LTL shipping, the shipper will have to take a number of stops for pickup and delivery. As you can imagine, this can result in your shipment getting delayed. Still, if you don’t mind waiting for your cargo a bit longer, LTL might be for you. Especially if you would appreciate saving some money along the way.

    LTL is not the safest shipping method

    When it comes to LTL shipping, you are sharing space with others who have opted for the same method. This means that the truck will make plenty of stops, opening its doors just as often. As you can imagine, this can expose you to the risk of losing the entire shipment. On the other hand, with FTL shipment, you put your freight on the trailer, secure it, and then send it off towards its destination. While it is not ideal to let others have access to your cargo, it is what happens with LTL shipping method, and there is no way around it.

    The risk of damaged goods

    A ship used for shipping containers
    Your goods will have a long road ahead. With that in mind, the risk of damage is virtually unavoidable.

    As if the missing cargo was not bad enough, with LTL you are also risking getting your goods damaged along the way. In order to load someone else’s freight out of the truck, the shippers might have to take your freight out of the truck. This may need to happen up to a couple of times. Unlike leaving your goods in Newcastle storage where they wait for you untouched, LTL means constant movement. Still, keep in mind that your freight could suffer damage even with FTL shipping. Simply put, there is no such thing as being completely safe.

    Is LTL shipping the right option for you?

    The answer to this question is really up to you. If you are looking for a budget-friendly solution and are not opposed to waiting a bit for your goods to arrive, LTL might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you would rather avoid risking the safety of your goods even the slightest, you might want to consider alternative shipping methods. Whatever you decide, make sure to do ample research on the shippers in your area, and find out how reliable they are. After all, the bulk of it will boil down to who you are working with.

    Latest Posts

    Let our team put together a comprehensive moving plan for you. Complete our simple free quote form or contact us at 1-888-300-7222.