Pricing Doctrine
Two Marines Moving — Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Fees
A common question we hear is:
"Do you charge extra for stairs or elevators?"
No.
We do not charge stair fees. We do not charge elevator fees. We do not charge parking fees.
Instead, we account for access conditions the fairest way possible: through the actual scope of work required to complete your move safely, professionally, and correctly.
The rate is fixed.
The scope of work is variable.
As the scope of work increases, labor requirements generally increase. As the scope of work decreases, labor requirements generally decrease.
We Don't Charge for Obstacles. We Charge for the Work Required.
Many moving companies add separate fees for every challenge a crew encounters:
Stair fees
Elevator fees
Long-carry fees
Parking fees
Access fees
We take a different approach. We evaluate the actual work required to complete the mission.
A fourth-floor walk-up does not cost more because it has stairs. It costs more because moving furniture up four flights of stairs requires more work than moving the same furniture into a first-floor residence.
More work requires more labor.
Less work requires less labor.
That keeps pricing transparent, understandable, and fair.
Floors, Stairs, and Walk-Ups
Access matters because it directly affects the amount of work required for every item moved. All else being equal:
First-floor moves
Most efficient
Additional floors
Increase scope of work
Additional stairs
Increase scope of work
Every trip requires more effort. Every piece requires more carrying distance. Every floor requires more labor.
The Fourth-Floor Walk-Up Rule
A fourth-floor walk-up is a meaningful operational inflection point.
Crew
3 Movers Required
Time Range
5.5 – 8.0 Hours
Average
~6.5 Hours
This is not a penalty. It is a practical adjustment that supports:
Steady execution
Safe handling
Consistent performance
Professional results
The goal is not simply to finish. The goal is to finish correctly.
Elevators Are Not Created Equal
Many clients assume having an elevator automatically makes a move easier. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't. Factors that affect efficiency include:
Elevator size
Elevator speed
Freight elevator versus passenger elevator
Reserved versus unreserved access
Shared versus dedicated use
A large freight elevator can significantly improve efficiency.
A small passenger elevator may require far more trips than people expect.
We do not charge elevator fees. We simply account for the actual scope of work associated with the elevator system available.
Parking Is Mission-Critical
Parking has a major impact on efficiency. One of the most helpful things a client can do is provide accurate parking information during the estimate process. Please let us know:
Where the truck can legally park at the origin
Where the truck can legally park at the destination
Whether permits are required
Whether loading docks are available
Whether parking restrictions exist
Distance equals labor.
Labor equals time.
Time affects overall cost.
Long Carries Increase the Scope of Work
Many clients focus on stairs and elevators while overlooking carry distance. In reality, long carries can have just as much impact. Examples include:
Long apartment hallways
Multi-building complexes
Parking garages
Courtyards
Loading docks
Multiple elevator transitions
The furniture stays the same. The work required to move it changes. And that is what affects labor requirements.
Why This Approach Is Fair
By pricing based on actual labor rather than arbitrary penalties:
You pay for work performed
Expectations remain clear
Pricing remains transparent
Surprises are minimized
No hidden fees.
No made-up charges.
No penalty pricing.
What We Need During the Estimate
To build the most accurate estimate possible, please provide:
Floor level at each location
Whether stairs are involved
Whether elevators are involved
Elevator type (freight or passenger)
Elevator reservation requirements
Parking and loading information
Any unusual access conditions
Good information produces better planning.
Better planning produces better outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Stairs, elevators, parking conditions, and building access do not change our standards. They change the scope of work required to maintain those standards.
At Two Marines Moving, we do not believe in charging arbitrary stair fees, elevator fees, or parking fees. We believe in pricing based on the actual scope of work.
No surprise fees.
No penalty charges.
No gimmicks.
Just transparent pricing tied to the amount of work required to complete the mission professionally. That's how we believe moving services should be priced.
The rate is fixed. The scope of work is variable. The standard remains the same.
Semper Fidelis,
Nicholas Edmond Baucom
Founder & Chief Executive Officer — Two Marines Moving
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