Professionals Know How to Move a Pool Table

Remember your excitement when your pool table arrived? You could hardly wait for the delivery crew to finish setting it up. But now that you’re moving, you realize what a big job relocating a pool table can be. A pool table is more than just a game, and it’s no ordinary piece of furniture—it’s an enormous, precisely crafted instrument that requires expert handling. Whether yours has been in your family for generations or a commercial-grade table that’s a draw for your business, recognizing the complexities of moving this specialized item and choosing to use a professional like Joey’s Movers can save you a lot of aggravation.

Why Moving a Pool Table Requires Special Care

Pool tables represent an unusual combination of delicate craftsmanship and substantial weight. A standard pool table weighs between 700 and 1,000 pounds, with high-end models weighing more than 2,500 pounds. The weight is mostly from the slate playing surface, which is typically split into three separate pieces, but beyond its bulk, a pool table contains precisely calibrated components that need to be handled carefully. The felt covering can tear easily, the wooden frame can crack, and the slate pieces can chip or break if dropped or even bumped. The rubber bumpers along the rails can also be damaged or misaligned during inexperienced attempts at moving.

Can You Move a Pool Table Without Professional Help?

While many owners question whether hiring professional pool table movers is necessary, and doing it yourself with a few strong friends is technically possible, the risks generally outweigh the potential savings. 

DIY moving might work if you’re just repositioning a table within the same room, but for moves involving stairs, doorways, vehicles, or reassembly, the experience that professional pool table movers bring is invaluable. Their specialized knowledge of disassembly, their equipment and tools, their large vehicles, and their expertise in proper reassembly and leveling will ensure that your table will perform perfectly in its new location.

Challenges of Moving a Pool Table

Weight and Size Considerations

Pool tables come in various sizes, from bar-sized 7-foot tables to tournament-standard 9-foot tables. Here are the weights for each category:

  • 7-foot tables (bar size): 600-800 pounds
  • 8-foot tables (standard home size): 700-1,000 pounds
  • 9-foot tables (tournament size): 1,000-2,500 pounds

Beyond their sheer weight, pool tables also have awkward dimensions that make maneuvering them through doorways and hallways extremely challenging. A standard residential doorway is 30-36 inches wide, while pool tables are typically between 38 and 60 inches wide. The difference creates a logistical nightmare.

Components That Need Special Handling

The slate bed is the most valuable component of any pool table. It’s also the most fragile. The bed is made from quarried stone that’s precision-ground to a perfectly flat surface. The slate is heavy, but it’s also surprisingly brittle. Most tables have a three-piece slate, with each section weighing 150-250 pounds. Dropping one of these pieces even a short distance can result in chips, cracks, or breaks that make the table unusable.

In addition to the slate, to prevent structural damage, the pool table’s wooden frame and legs have to be carefully disassembled. Even the felt covering needs to be methodically removed, and the pockets, rails with rubber bumpers, and various hardware components each have to be organized and protected during transport.

The Importance of Proper Leveling

Achieving proper leveling during reassembly is probably the most technical part of pool table moving, and it requires both specialized tools and experience. The surface needs to be level across the entire playing area or balls will drift toward low spots, making games frustrating and unpredictable. Even worse, an improperly leveled table distributes weight unevenly, which can lead to structural issues. 

How Professional Pool Table Movers Handle the Process

Disassembling the Pool Table

Professional pool table movers use a systematic approach to disassembly:

  1. First, they remove the pockets and rails, taking care not to damage the rubber bumpers.
  2. Next, they remove the felt. If the felt is in good condition and the owner wants to reuse it, extra care is needed to prevent tears or stretching.
  3. The slate pieces are then removed one by one, supporting each piece to prevent flexing or damage.
  4. Finally, the frame and legs are disassembled, and all hardware is organized and labeled for easier reassembly.

Professionals document the original setup, taking measurements and photographs to make sure they accurately recreate the pool table at its destination.

Safely Transporting the Table

Transportation requires specialized equipment that most people don’t have access to, including:

  • Padded moving blankets 
  • Reinforced dollies 
  • Strapping systems 
  • Properly sized vehicles with securing mechanisms 

For long-distance moves, professional pool table moving companies often use climate-controlled vehicles that protect wooden components from humidity that could cause warping.

Reassembly and Leveling at the New Location

The reassembly process requires precision beyond what happens when the table is disassembled:

  1. The frame is reassembled and positioned in its final location.
  2. Slate pieces are carefully reinstalled, with the seams between pieces filled with beeswax or a special filler that creates a seamless playing surface.
  3. Using precision levels and specialized tools, the entire table is perfectly leveled.
  4. Either a new felt is installed or the old felt is reinstalled. This requires precise stretching to prevent wrinkles or bumps.
  5. Rails, bumpers, and pockets are carefully reattached.
  6. Final leveling adjustments are made.

Depending on the table and any challenges in the installation location, the process typically takes professionals 3-5 hours. 

Cost of Hiring Pool Table Movers

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pool Table?

The cost of hiring a pool table moving service varies based on several factors:

  • For local moves (under 50 miles), expect to pay between $300 and $600.
  • Long-distance moves typically range from $700 to $2,000, depending on distance and service level.
  • Additional factors that affect pricing include:
    • Table size and weight
    • Accessibility issues (stairs, narrow hallways, elevators)
    • Distance between the loading area and final placement
    • Travel time between locations

How Much Does It Cost to Move and Level a Pool Table?

Professional leveling is generally included in full-service pool table moving packages, but some charge it as a separate service for people who need reassembly help. Standalone leveling services generally cost $200-$400, depending on the table and the adjustments needed.

How Much Does It Cost to Have a Pool Table Taken Apart?

If you only want your pool table disassembled because you’re handling transportation yourself, it typically costs between $150 and $300. This generally includes complete disassembly, packaging of all components, and labeling parts and hardware. Some companies offer discounted rates when you book both disassembly and future reassembly services together, even if they’re months apart.

DIY Pool Table Moving: What You Need to Know

What Equipment Is Needed for DIY Moves?

If you want to attempt a DIY pool table move, you’ll need four to six strong adults and the following equipment:

  • Heavy-duty furniture dollies rated for at least 1,000 pounds
  • Six to eight heavy moving blankets and furniture pads 
  • Ratchet straps for securing components
  • Socket wrenches and screwdrivers specific to your table 
  • Staple remover and pliers for felt removal
  • Bubble wrap and cardboard for protecting components
  • Labeling supplies to organize hardware
  • A moving vehicle with sufficient capacity
  • Carpenter’s level for reassembly

You’ll also need the special tools that professionals use for leveling and felt installation.

Risks of Moving a Pool Table Without Professionals

Before trying to move your pool table yourself, consider the risks:

  1. Structural damage to the frame or legs, potentially resulting in costly repairs or even rendering the table unusable.
  2. Slate damage that may not be immediately visible but that can affect gameplay. 
  3. Personal injuries are common when moving heavy objects without proper equipment and training.
  4. Property damage to walls, doorways, and flooring 
  5. Reassembly challenges

Unfortunately, amateur reassembly often ends with a table that doesn’t play correctly due to improper leveling.

When DIY Might Work and When to Call Movers

DIY approaches might be reasonable in very limited circumstances, including when you’re moving a table a short distance within the same room; when you’re relocating a lightweight, non-slate table; or if you have significant experience with woodworking and precision measurement.

Alternatively, professional pool table movers are strongly recommended for any move requiring a vehicle; moves between floors or buildings; valuable or antique tables or tournament-quality tables where performance matters; or situations involving narrow spaces, stairs, or tight corners.

How to Choose the Right Pool Table Movers

What to Look for in a Professional Pool Table Moving Service

Not all moving companies specialize in pool tables, and even those that advertise the service may lack true expertise. Look for:

  • Companies that advertise themselves as pool table moving specialists
  • Employees with billiard industry experience 
  • Insurance specifically mentioning pool table or specialty item coverage
  • Testimonials or reviews specifically mentioning pool table moving experiences
  • Membership in industry associations like the American Billiard Installers Association
  • Detailed explanations of their process that demonstrate expertise

Questions to Ask a Pool Table Moving Company

Before hiring any pool table moving service, ask these important questions:

  • “How many pool tables does your company move annually?”
  • “Is your team specifically trained for pool table moving?”
  • “Do you provide insurance coverage specifically for the table during moving?”
  • “Will the same team handle both disassembly and reassembly?”
  • “What’s your process for leveling the table at the destination?”
  • “Can you provide references from recent pool table moving customers?”
  • “What’s included in your base price, and what might incur additional charges?”

The answers to these questions will quickly reveal whether you’re dealing with true professionals or general movers who occasionally handle pool tables.

Red Flags to Avoid

Watch out for these warning signs of a company without proper licensing or experience:

  • Provides a quote without asking questions about your specific table
  • Offers significantly lower prices than other specialized movers
  • Can’t explain their leveling process in detail
  • Doesn’t carry specific insurance for high-value items
  • Proposes moving the table without disassembly (for any move requiring transportation)
  • Has no online presence or verifiable reviews
  • Uses temporary or day laborers rather than trained staff

Remember: Saving money upfront can end up costing significantly more in repairs or replacement if the move goes poorly.

FAQs

  1. How much does it cost to move a billiard table?

Moving a billiard table typically costs between $300 and $600 for local moves and $700 to $2,000 for long-distance moves. Variables affecting the price include table size, move distance, stairs or other challenges, and whether a new felt installation is needed.

  1. How much does it cost to move and level a pool table?

Full-service pool table moving, including proper leveling, ranges from $400 to $700 for local moves. The leveling process alone typically adds $100-$200 to basic moving, depending on the complexity of the table and any adjustments needed at the new location.

  1. How much does it cost to have a pool table taken apart?

Professional disassembly typically costs between $150 and $300, depending on the table and location. Some companies offer package deals if you book both disassembly and reassembly, even if they’re months apart.

Final Moving Tips

Moving a pool table makes any relocation more challenging. While doing it yourself might initially seem like a good way to save money, the delicate nature of pool tables combined with their significant weight makes professional handling the smart choice for both muscle and specialized knowledge. When considering the potential costs of damage repair, replacement parts, or ruined play quality due to improper reassembly, the value of using an expert becomes clear.

Take the time to research and compare services from multiple pool table moving companies and be sure to get detailed quotes that tell you exactly what each pool table mover includes. Ask for references and remember that the lowest price is rarely the best value when expertise is involved.

For reliable, expert pool table moving services that protect your investment and ensure perfect play after relocation, contact Joey’s Movers today. Our specialized team has years of billiards industry experience and will treat your table with the care and precision it deserves. Don’t trust your valuable pool table to general movers or risky do-it-yourself attempts. Call the experts at Joey’s Movers for a free quote that ensures a smooth move. 

 

Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn