Pool table moving: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pool table moving is

Pool table moving takes the table apart by removing the slate, rails, pockets and cloth, moves the pieces to the new room and reassembles and levels the table there. The cloth is re-stretched or replaced if needed, since it is often damaged when a table is taken apart, so the table plays true once it is back together.

Signs you need it

  • The table has to go through narrow doors, stairs or a basement entrance that will not take it whole
  • You are moving the table to a new room and need the slate kept level and the rails aligned
  • The felt is wrinkled, worn or pulled after the table has been moved before
  • The table has to be dismantled because the room is on another floor
  • You want the table set up to play properly again, not just carried into the room

What the pro does

  • Assess the table, the slate type and the route, and note the rail and pocket condition
  • Remove the pockets, the rails and the cushions, and label each piece so it returns to the right place
  • Lift the slate off the base with enough people for its weight and wrap it for the move
  • Carry each piece to the new room, keeping the slate flat and protected on the route
  • Reassemble the table, level the slate and set the rails and cushions to the right height
  • Re-stretch or replace the cloth if needed, and check the table plays true before you leave

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the table and whether the slate is one piece or multiple sections
  • Number of stairs and doors on the route, and whether the table must leave the building
  • Condition of the felt, since re-stretching or replacement takes more time
  • Whether the table must be leveled, shimmed or realigned after the move
  • Whether the job includes cue rack, scoreboard or accessory moving
  • Whether the table is moved across a distance by truck or within the home

What a written quote should spell out

  • Whether the table is fully disassembled and reassembled, and which parts it includes
  • Whether the felt is re-stretched or replaced, and the type of cloth used
  • How the slate is protected on the route and how it is leveled at the new room
  • Whether the job includes accessory moving, such as cues, racks and balls
  • Whether a playing test is included and what happens if the table is not level

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you remove the slate from the base, and do you have a helper for it
  • Will you level the slate at the new room, and how do you check it
  • Do you re-stretch the felt, and what cloth do you use
  • How do you protect the rails and pockets during the move
  • Can you fit the table through the door, and what happens if it does not fit
  • Will you return the table to the way it played before

Red flags

  • A crew that carries the slate as one piece without a helper or a support frame
  • No plan for leveling, which often leaves the table unusable after the move
  • Felt that is stretched over an uneven slate without a check
  • A quote that does not mention the felt or the leveling

What you can do yourself

You can clear the room, remove the balls and cues and keep the pockets in a labeled bag. Call a professional for the slate, the rails and the felt, since a slate is heavy and fragile and a poor reassembly leaves the table unplayable.

Licenses and permits

Pool table moving is commonly done by insured moving companies with experience handling heavy slate. Check with your state or local licensing agency for any business registration that applies to the company you hire.

Pool table moving questions

Will the table need new felt after the move?

Not always. The felt may need to be re-stretched if it was pulled during the move. Ask the crew to check it and say so in writing if it needs replacing.

How long does it take to set up a pool table after the move?

It depends on the table and the room. Plan for a longer time when the slate must be leveled, shimmed or realigned, and ask the crew to tell you what they expect.

Can the table go through a standard doorway?

Often the slate and rails must come off first. Measure the doorway and the table's parts, and ask the crew to plan the route with you.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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