How to Move a Pool Table: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is a guide on how to move a pool table. By disassembling the table with the right tools and precautions, you can move one without the help of professional movers.
Written by Marisol Pereira
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
background
To move a pool table, you will need to be prepared to take it apart for transport. You will also need to gather several friends to help you.
Moving a pool table is usually a job that requires a
professional moving company
. Pool tables are among the heaviest pieces of furniture or equipment you can own, and moving them to a new place or new location in your home is a lengthy and arduous process of disassembly.
If, however, you've decided it's best to do it yourself, here's everything you need to know about moving a standard pool table without damaging it. (You will need at least four strong friends to help you with this)
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How to move a pool table

Materials needed:
  • Some friends or family members to help you
  • Power drill
  • Safety goggles
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Socket wrench
  • Staple remover
  • Moving blankets/bubble wrap
  • Labeled boxes
Now that you've got some help enlisted and the right tools at hand, it is time to begin. You will need to disassemble the pool table. Pool tables are deceptively heavy, especially if you need to move a slate pool table.
Start by measuring doorways and pathways: The last thing you want is to be all sweaty and tired from taking your pool table apart, only to realize that it won't fit through your doors. By measuring things first, you ensure you have time to do any preparations needed to be able to transport the table from your starting point to the moving truck (such as removing doors, for example).
Also, make sure to cover your pool table's sharp edges to prevent dents and scratches.
Remove the ball pockets: This is the first thing you'll need to remove from your table. Depending on the model, the ball pockets might be stapled or screwed onto the table. Choose the right tool accordingly.
Remove side rails: For this step, you will need a socket wrench. Once you remove the side rails, make sure to store them away in a labeled box. Remember that you will have to reassemble the table later, and you need to be able to identify the parts.
Remove felt: Un-staple the felt very carefully and then remove it. It is quite delicate and you don't want it to rip. So, make sure to take your time with this step.
Remove slates: This is where the power drill comes into play, since these slates will be tightly screwed in. Once you're done removing them, have your friends help you lift and remove them. Slates are extremely heavy, so be extra careful with this step.
Remove pool table legs: To make this part easier, you might want to turn your table upside down. Now, carefully remove each leg, wrap them in moving blankets, and store them away in labeled boxes.
Transport everything into the truck: Now that everything has been taken apart and put away into properly labeled boxes, you'll want to transport the pieces into the truck. Be careful not to bump into any doorframes on your way out.
Reassemble your table: Were you paying attention to how it all fit together? For the final step, you'll have to reverse everything you did to take it apart. It's here where you'll see the importance of properly labeled boxes, especially when it comes to screws and other small pieces.
If you'll be moving the table up or down stairs, it really is impossible to overstate the benefit of hiring professional pool table movers for a job like this. If you happen to dent, bend, or damage any part of your table during a move, it may not work the same way it did before.
But whichever route you decide to take, make sure to practice the necessary precautions, and be safe.

How to move a pool table without taking it apart

If you're moving a pool table to another home or to a different floor, disassemble the table before moving. However, if you're just moving it to a different room, you might be able to move the pool table without taking it apart.
Get some friends to help you. You can use four dollies, one for each leg of the table, to transport it short distances.
You can also use pool table lifts to move the table. These are placed underneath the table and use a lever to lift the table up from the middle.
If you're transporting the table a short distance, you might even consider adding furniture sliders to the bottom of each pool table leg and move it that way.

FAQs

How much does it cost to move a pool table?

If you don't have enough people around to help you move the pool table or you just want to make sure it gets done properly and safely, you might consider hiring some movers. Prices can range from $200 to $600, depending on a variety of factors. Prices will change based on the size of the pool table, if it's a slate pool table, its weight, if it needs to go up or down stairs, and the distance the table is being moved.

Can you move a pool table without disassembling?

If you're only moving it a short distance, you can move the pool table without disassembling it. However, any movement across stairs or to a new house will require disassembly.

Can you turn a pool table on its side?

Usually, no, you shouldn't turn a pool table on its side. Most pool tables use slate or other hard substance as its base under the felt. These slabs can weigh enormous amounts, and the wood on the side of the pool table isn't designed to handle this weight.
However, you may be able to move a pool table on its side if it uses lightweight wood instead of slate as its base.
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