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  

Ultimate international moving checklist

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Free Moving Estimate

    If you have ever moved down the block, you must know how difficult relocation is. Now imagine having to move all the way across the world. It seems scary, doesn’t it? We won’t lie to you – your overseas relocation will be far from easy. But with our international moving checklist, you will increase your odds of having a successful relocation where you won’t forget to do any of those important things, like bring your documents. So sit back and let Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage share our most valuable tips – coming to you in the form of a checklist.

    Week-by-week international moving checklist

    What to do 8 weeks before your move?

    • Make a good plan.

    Without a solid relocation plan at hand, it’s highly unlikely that you will have a successful relocation. Plan everything – from your finances down to the exact moving date.

    • Browse through different moving companies.

    While a local DIY move might be doable, we don’t suggest you attempt a DIY international move. So go through different international shipping companies Seattle has to offer and choose the one that works best for your needs.

    • Sort through your belongings.

    Do you really need to relocate all of your possessions across the world? We know you know the right answer, so start decluttering and sorting on time. And if you are having trouble letting go of some items, just think about all the money you are saving.

    A woman writing down an ultimate international moving checklist.
    Everything begins with a good plan – and a good plan is especially important during relocation.

    What to do 7 weeks before your move?

    • Buy packing materials.

    You can’t pack your items without dozens of moving boxes and protective packaging galore. Our international, as well as local moving teams, know that it’s important to acquire high-quality packing materials, as well as to buy more than you think will be necessary.

    • Have a fantastic yard sale.

    If you have already decided which items to leave behind, now is the right time to sell them by organizing a yard sale. This is a great way to add some money to your relocation budget, not to mention get rid of your surplus items.

    What to do 6 weeks before your move?

    • Deal with your child’s education.

    Are you moving with kids? Then you have a very important entry on your international moving checklist to deal with – getting copies of your child’s school record. You will also need to register at schools that are in the vicinity of your new home.

    • Transfer medical records.

    This week seems to be all about the important documents. Make sure you find a new physician near your new home and transfer your medical records there. This is especially important if a member of your family is getting a prescribed therapy and has special needs.

    What to do 5 weeks before your move?

    • Start packing.

    This isn’t the right time for you to pack essential items – but you can certainly get started with the non-essential items. Pack those items you rarely use – such as seasonal clothing and holiday decorations. It will be easier to pack essentials once you get these out of the way, and you will certainly avoid stressful last-minute packing.

    • Don’t forget to label the boxes.

    Labeling the moving boxes should be one of the most important entries on your overseas relocation checklist. This way, your movers will know which boxes contain fragile items – not to mention how easier it will be for you to unpack at the new location.

    A grey bed with a teddy bear on it.
    You can start by packing non-essential items early on.

    What to do 4 weeks before your move?

    • Deal with the utilities.

    The worst thing would be for you to arrive at your new home after a long trip just to find out you have no Internet connection. So make sure you schedule the switch-off date of your utilities at the new location and schedule a switch-on date at the new residence.

    • Notify people about your upcoming relocation.

    Banks, landlords, employers, family, and friends – the list of people and organizations that you need to inform about your upcoming move is a long one. Make sure everyone is informed about the date and the location of your move.

    What to do 3 weeks before your move?

    • Stop buying more food.

    This is just a little reminder that you have food at home that needs to be eaten before your move. So stop buying frozen food and buy only essential items, such as eggs and bread.

    • Take care of your pets, plants, and car.

    In case you are moving internationally with pets, you have a lot of work in front of you. Take care of their transportation, as well as finding a new vet. Get your car serviced and arrange for a transfer of the valuation coverage policy. Also, figure out what you are going to do with your plants – are you taking them or leaving them behind?

    What to do 2 weeks before your move?

    • Start packing the essential items.

    You only have two weeks left before your move. Now is the right time to start packing the essential items, as well as your furniture. Once again, don’t forget to label the boxes as soon as you pack them.

    • Arrange cleaning services.

    The best-case scenario would be having both your old home and the new one cleaned. If you need help arranging cleaning services, you can turn to our HB move management department for help – or you could do it yourself.

    Cleaning supplies in a bucket.
    Leaving your old house in a clean condition is just common courtesy.

    What to do 1 week before your move?

    • Prepare an essentials box.

    You definitely don’t want to arrive at your new home across the world and spend an hour searching for your toothbrush. That’s why you need to pack a box that will contain all the essential items, such as personal hygiene products and a fresh set of clothes.

    • Do a last-minute checkup.

    This is the right time to go through your overseas relocation checklist one last time and check whether you did everything you were supposed to do. Call your movers once again and go through all the last-minute details.

    What to do one day before your move?

    Feel free to relax and take a sigh of relief. If you followed our week-by-week international moving checklist, all you have to do today is collect your documents and ensure they stay close to you at all times. Congratulations – you have successfully gone through all the preparations for your big day! We hope that the rest of your move will go smoothly and that you will refer to your international move as a wonderful thing.

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