Moving a pool table is no walk in the park.
Why, you ask? Because a pool table is one of the heaviest and bulkiest things you can ever own. Add that to the long and tedious disassembling process and you will see why it is no joke.
You see, a pool table can pack up to 1,000 pounds. Without the help of professional pool table movers or a bunch of very strong friends, moving a pool table becomes incredibly difficult. I would highly recommend hiring specialty movers to handle the disassembly.
However, this may not be possible for everyone. Paying to have your pool table disassembled, packed, and transported to your desired location can set you back up to $800. Where does this leave you?
Well, if you own a pool table that you would like to move across town, to a different city, or even to another room in your house, read on for a breakdown on how to move a pool table.
How to Take Apart a Pool Table
If you are planning on moving your beloved pool table, there is every chance you will have to take it apart. It takes time, effort, patience, and the right tools. A standard pool table is heavy and bulky. Moving it in one piece is therefore easier said than done. So, how do you go about it? This part of the article guides you on how to disassemble a pool table and be ready for moving time.
- Get the right equipment
The pool table disassembly process starts with the right tools. You will certainly need a screwdriver, wrench, a level, a drill with a screwdriver bit, and perhaps most importantly, an extra pair of hands. You’ll want to arm yourself with eye protection as well.
- Remove the staples securing the pockets
The next step is removing the staples that hold the drop pockets. You need a flathead screwdriver for that. Needless to say, this can only be done while lying on your back. Remember the aforementioned eye protection? This is where you use it to prevent the staples from falling on your eyes as you unscrew them. Once you have removed all the staples, pack the pockets and move to the next step…
- Remove the side rails bolts
With the pockets out of the way, it is time to take care of the side rail and bolts. Use your wrench to unscrew the bolts keeping the rails intact. Each rail has three bolts. Note that some pool tables have a single side rail while others have multiple pieces.
Carefully unscrew the last bolts and then gently remove your rails(s). Safely pack the bolts and side rails. You don’t want to spend hours looking for them during assembly time.
- Take off the felt
The felt is the pool table cloth. Removing it is one of the more tedious processes of disassembling your billiard table. However, it is a necessary process as it allows you to then remove the slate bed underneath. Depending on your pool table, the felt may be secured to the slate bed with staples or glue.
If it is attached with glue, carefully remove it starting from one corner moving backward. You don’t want to tear the felt unless you intend to replace it, which means avoidable expenses.
If the felt is secured to the slate bed with staples, use a flathead screwdriver to remove them. Remember to carefully fold your felt and keep it in a secure place.
- Take care of the slate bed
After neatly folding the felt, it is time to remove the slate bed. This is where you will need an extra pair of hands. The slate bed is pretty heavy and can weigh up to 450 pounds. Depending on your pool table settings, the slate bed can be a single piece or multiple pieces, each weighing about 100-150 pounds. Unless you are superman, you won’t be able to lift them on your own!
However, you will have to take care of the screws before lifting the slate bed. This is where the drill with a screwdriver bit will come in handy. Carefully remove the screws holding the slate bed in place. More often than not, there will be four screws (one on each corner of the pool table). After you’ve removed the screws, lift the slate bed from the table and set it aside. Don’t forget keep the bolts in a secure place.
- Finally, remove the legs
Removing the legs is the last and arguably the easiest step of the disassembly process. The legs are typically screwed into the body and unscrewing them should be pretty straightforward. Remember to bag up the screws (and nuts, if any).
How to Move a Pool Table without Taking It Apart
The first thing you should know about pool tables is they are not meant to be moved in one piece. As a result, moving a pool table without disassembling it is a strenuous task, and that is an understatement. However, what do you do if you want to avoid the intricate process of taking it apart?
Well, it is not impossible but I have to warn you; it takes a massive physical effort, planning, and lots of precautions. A pool table is not only heavy, but also surprisingly fragile. One wrong move can (and will) lead to major damages.
- Take the necessary precautions
If you are moving your table to a different room to maybe lay a carpet, then you can do it without causing any damage. But if you are moving it to a different floor, I only have bad news for: you will have no choice but to dismantle it.
The first thing you have to think about is the door and any other passages that lie in your path. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate your table. Taking measurements of the doors and passageways would be a wise move. Needless to say, you will need a couple of strong guys.
- Grab some furniture dollies
In addition, you will need some pool table moving equipment in the shape of 4 furniture dollies. They are strong and reliable and even though they won’t make the task a piece of cake, they will significantly lessen the burden. To avoid scratching the pool table legs, wrap the edges of the furniture dollies with a fabric/carpet.
- Carpeted Ends To Help Protect The Load
- Convenient Size For Large Outdoor Pots Or Moving Furniture
- 800-Pound Load Capacity
- Brand Name: Milwaukee Hand Trucks
- Clear the way
Make sure you clear the path around the table to make it easy to load it onto the dollies. Look out for folds on your carpet or pieces of fabric lying around as they will definitely hamper the dollies’ movement.
- Lift the pool table
With the path clear and furniture dollies ready, it is time to load your pool table. This is where you will need those helping hands. Whatever you do, don’t attempt to lift the pool table on your own.
As you lift one side of the table, DO NOT use your back so as to avoid back injuries. Your starting position should be with your knees bent then straighten your legs as you lift your body. Keep your back straight. You don’t want to bend your back when lifting something this heavy.
Once you have loaded one side of the table on the dollies, lock the dolly wheels so they remain stationary as you work to lift the other side. Repeat the process so that both sides are on the furniture dollies.
With the loading process over, unlock the dolly wheels and slowly move the table. Push slowly to keep the speed under control because if the table moves too fast, you may not be able to stop it which might result in serious damages.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Pool Table?
Well, the cost of moving a pool table varies with the type of table and its weight. The heavier the table, the more pool table movers it will need which will in turn impact the cost.
That said, moving a standard pool table can cost something between $200 and $800. A large table is likely to cost you $500+. Where you are moving the table to also determines the final cost and so does the reassembling process. Moving the table locally will be cheaper than, say, moving it to another city/state.
It would be more than possible to to move a pool table more cheaply if you were to oversee the whole process yourself – following the steps in place here on how to move a pool table and hiring a van, you can cut most most of the costs down to the bare minimum, perhaps less than $100.
How to Move a Pool Table across the Room
- Carpeted Ends To Help Protect The Load
- Convenient Size For Large Outdoor Pots Or Moving Furniture
- 800-Pound Load Capacity
- Brand Name: Milwaukee Hand Trucks
As you well know by now, moving a pool table is no minor task. However, you can move it across the room without disassembling it. All you need is the aforementioned furniture dollies.
If you need to know how to move a pool table a few feet or even across the room then unless you possess super strength, you’ll need some dollies and some friends to help with the lifting.
Pool table dollies are the simplest way to move your table across a short distance. If you have the man power, simply lift one side of the table and slide the dolly under the table. repeat the process for the other side of the table. Then let its heavy-duty wheels roll the table to whichever part of the room you want it.
That said, you need to make sure the dollies can withstand your pool table’s weight. Consult a technician if you need extra help with the pool table lift. You do want your pool table in safe hands, don’t you?
How to Move a Pool Table to Install Carpet
A lot of time you will simply need to move a pool table to replace a worn carpet or rug. The weight of a pool table will completely flatten any carpet over some time and a replacement could be on the cards.
depending on the type of floor carpet you’ll need will depend on the required solution.
- Move for square tiled carpet
The easiest would be to have carpet tiles installed, this way you can do some “simple lifting” to slide the tiles in place. For the most part you can work around the table.
Granted, it will probably require a few friends to help left the table, but this will be the easiest and cheapest way to install square tiled carpet without moving your table too much.
- Move for a rug or mat
If you are wanting to replace a rug or mat then the use of 4 dollies, one for each leg, and wheel then heavy table off the rug so it can be replaced will work just fine. There will be some heavy lifting required, but a few friends should be able to manage this task.
- Carpeted Ends To Help Protect The Load
- Convenient Size For Large Outdoor Pots Or Moving Furniture
- 800-Pound Load Capacity
- Brand Name: Milwaukee Hand Trucks
- Move for a new carpet
Sorry to say, but this is the most difficult of carpet installation. The problem is the rolling of a new carpet and then the stretching so it firmly fits in the room.
Even if you were able to lift the pool table over the roll of carpet, stretching it will be near on impossible with the weight of a pool table.
Unfortunately, the best and safest way to install a carpet in the room with a pool table would be to move the pool table to another room.
Getting a pool table through a standard door frame would be another challenge and therefore the best way would be to dismantle the table – following the steps above will guide you on this.
That way you will be able to remove the old carpet and lay the new one. At that point, you can reassemble the table – be sure to consider how close you are to the walls. the last thing you would want is issues cueing.
You might want to consider the type of floor you want to place in the room. If you are set on a carpet then that’s great, but maybe consider laying a wood floor. Laminate flooring might be a good solution to your pool table moving issues, just consider the weight of your table before making a purchase.
I’m pretty sure that if you have a good pool table, it will last longer than carpet, so you’ll only have the same moving conundrum a few years down the line if you choose a carpet.
Installing a wooden/laminate floor means you can use a rug under the table will help protect the floor and balls when they fly off the table. As we discussed, placing a rug under a pool table is a lot easier than replacing a carpet.
It’s worth considering if you plan on keeping the table, and the house for years to come.
Final thoughts
How to move a pool table is easy enough when you break the steps down into manageable sections.
Remember, if you are moving a pool table without professional help, consider the risks and think hard about your decision. Although it will cost a few hundred dollars for professional movers, they will do all the work for you and not to forget, they will also level your table which is another process in its self.
Hope you found this guide useful, good luck!
Rob is an avid player and fan of all cue sports, particularly 8-ball, and snooker. He has competed in a few local 8-ball tournaments and although he is not a professional, he can compete with the best of them.
