From the Founder
Nicholas Edmond Baucom — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Two Marines Moving
At Two Marines Moving, we believe in fairness, transparency, and old-fashioned integrity. Our pricing doctrine is simple:
The hourly rate is fixed.
The scope of work is variable.
You are billed only for the time our moving professionals are actively working on your behalf. No more. No less.
The clock starts when we arrive, shake your hand, and begin the move walkthrough. The clock stops after the final piece of furniture has been placed where you want it and the move is complete. Crew meals and breaks are off the clock. That is our commitment to fairness.
What Is Scope of Work?
Scope of work is simply the total amount of work required to successfully complete your move. Examples include:
Amount of furniture being moved
Number of boxes
Packing requirements
Stairs
Elevators
Long carrying distances
Building restrictions
Traffic conditions
Weather conditions
Parking logistics
When those factors increase the amount of work required, labor time often increases. When those factors decrease the amount of work required, labor time often decreases. The hourly rate stays the same. The scope of work changes.
Why Estimates Are Given as Ranges
Every estimate is an educated projection based on experience — informed by thousands of completed moves throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We evaluate:
Home size
Inventory volume
Packing requirements
Access conditions
Distance
Logistics
No moving company can perfectly predict every variable before move day. That is why honest estimates are presented as ranges rather than guarantees.
The 7 Real Variables That Affect Your Move
Weather Conditions
Weather is one of the largest variables in any move — and it is completely outside anyone's control.
Rain
Snow
Ice
High winds
Extreme heat
Just as a marathon runner performs differently at 60 degrees than at 100 degrees, moving crews perform under different environmental conditions. We maintain professional standards regardless of weather. But weather can influence move duration.
Traffic and Travel Conditions
Traffic is an unavoidable reality throughout the Washington metropolitan region — particularly in Northern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria, Washington D.C., and the Maryland suburbs.
Road construction, congestion, accidents, and special events all influence transportation time. Our crews move with urgency and professionalism. But traffic remains a real-world variable that nobody controls.
Elevators and Building Logistics
Not all buildings are created equal. A modern freight elevator may support highly efficient operations. A historic building may present very different challenges.
Elevator size
Elevator speed
Elevator availability
Freight elevator reservations
Building access restrictions
Loading dock procedures
The furniture may be identical. The scope of work is not. A small elevator often requires additional trips, additional handling, and additional time.
Distance From the Truck to Your Door
This is one of the most overlooked factors in moving. Every additional step matters.
Long hallways
Parking garages
Extended walkways
Courtyards
Loading docks
Multiple elevator transitions
Distance equals labor.
Labor equals time.
Time affects total cost.
Parking Conditions
Best Case
The truck parks directly in front of the residence.
Less Ideal
— Street parking restrictions
— Downtown urban environments
— Long-distance parking
— Permit parking requirements
— Limited truck access
Every additional trip between the truck and the home increases the scope of work. Many clients are surprised by how much parking logistics affect move duration.
Packing, Organization, and Readiness
Preparation reduces scope of work.
Well-prepared homes move faster.
Disorganization increases scope of work.
— Items still needing boxes
— Rooms still being organized
— Furniture requiring disassembly
— Last-minute sorting decisions
We can absolutely assist with packing. But packing is work. And work requires time.
Client-Directed Pauses
Our crews bring their own meals, hydration, and supplies. We do not expect clients to provide lunch. And we do not charge clients for crew meal breaks.
Family meals
Personal breaks
Building delays
Scheduling requests
When clients choose to pause the operation, timelines adjust accordingly.
A Fair System: Pay Only for the Work Performed
No billing for crew meal breaks
No games
No gimmicks
No artificial billing practices
No surprises
Just straightforward accountability
The rate is fixed.
The scope of work is variable.
And the variables are real.
Mission First. Client Always.
Regardless of weather, traffic, elevators, parking conditions, stairwells, building restrictions, or logistical challenges, our objective remains the same:
Show up on time
Communicate clearly
Protect your belongings
Execute professionally
Complete the mission correctly
The Bottom Line
The most important factor affecting the price of a move is the scope of work. Not guesses. Not gimmicks. Not arbitrary numbers. The scope of work.
At Two Marines Moving, we believe transparency creates trust. That's why we explain the variables, explain the process, and explain how pricing works before move day rather than after. Because good decisions begin with accurate information. And accurate information allows clients to plan with confidence.
The rate is fixed. The scope of work is variable. The mission is the same.
Semper Fidelis,
Nicholas Edmond Baucom
Founder & Chief Executive Officer — Two Marines Moving
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