Moving a pool table is like tackling a high-stakes game of billiards, one wrong move, and you could scratch your prized possession or your home. Whether it’s a cherished slate table in your game room or a bar-style model, pool tables weigh 650-1,000 pounds and demand careful handling. In 2025, professional movers charge $300-$750 for local moves, with costs climbing for long-distance or complex setups, according to industry experts.
Should you go DIY with friends or hire pros?
Move a pool table with ease as a certified U.S. Department of Transportation broker, Coastal Moving Services connects you with expert movers skilled in packing and transporting heavy items like pool tables.
Let’s break down how to move a pool table safely, whether you’re rolling it across the room or across the country.
Why Moving a Pool Table Is Tricky
A pool table isn’t just heavy—it’s a delicate puzzle of slate, felt, and frame. Standard tables (7-9 feet) can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, with slate panels alone at 150-450 pounds each, per Blatt Billiards. Tipping or twisting risks cracking the slate or warping the frame, ruining gameplay. A 2024 BBB report shows 25% of moving complaints stem from damaged specialty items due to improper handling.
Narrow doorways, stairs, or carpeted floors add challenges, and DIY moves without the right tools can lead to injury or costly repairs. Coastal Moving Services pairs you with movers who use dollies, lift gates, and padding to protect your table and home, ensuring a smooth relocation for home or business needs.
Understand Pool Table Moving Costs
Costs depend on table size, distance, and complexity. Local moves (under 50 miles) average $300-$750, taking 2-5 hours at $150-$200 per hour, per Three Movers. Long-distance moves add $1-$2 per mile, with total costs reaching $1,000-$2,000.
Key factors include:
- Table Size: 7-foot tables cost less than 9-foot models; three-slate tables are pricier to handle.
- Disassembly/Reassembly: Adds $100-$200 for slate removal, felt handling, and leveling.
- Access: Stairs or tight spaces increase costs by $50-$150.
- Storage: $100-$300/month for a 10×20 unit if needed.
Coastal’s movers provide clear pricing for your move. Call +1 (334) 659-1878 for a free quote!
| Method | Table Size | Cost (Local) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with Dollies | 7-8 ft | $50-$150 (tools) | Short room-to-room moves |
| Professional Move | 7-8 ft | $300-$600 | Local moves, no stairs |
| Professional Move | 9 ft, 3-slate | $500-$750 | Long-distance, complex access |
DIY Guide to Moving a Pool Table (And Why It’s Risky)
Tempted to move your pool table yourself to save money? It’s possible for short distances, like across a room, but the risks, cracked slates, torn felt, or personal injury, often outweigh the savings. A 7-8 foot table weighs 650-1,000 pounds, and mishandling can lead to $500-$1,000 in repairs, per Blatt Billiards.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to DIY moving, with warnings to show why professionals are the better bet:
Gather Supplies and Helpers
You’ll need four sturdy furniture dollies ($20–$50), moving blankets ($10–$20), bubble wrap, a socket wrench, screwdriver, staple puller, and a tape measure. Enlist 3–4 strong friends, as WikiHow suggests, since a 200-pound slate can cause back injuries without teamwork.
Risk: Without enough helpers or heavy-duty dollies, you could drop the table, damaging floors or injuring yourself.
Measure and Clear the Path
Measure doorways (minimum 44 inches for a 7-foot table) and hallways, removing rugs or obstacles. A narrow path can trap a 1,000-pound table, according to Nineballbilliards.
Risk: Misjudging clearance can dent walls or crack the slate if tilted improperly.
Clean and Secure the Table
Remove balls, cues, and pocket contents, then wipe the table to prevent dust scratches. Wrap legs in blankets to avoid scuffs.
Risk: Skipping cleaning can damage the felt, costing $100–$300 to replace.
Lift Onto Dollies
With helpers, lift one end (2–3 people per side) and slide dollies under each corner, ensuring they’re locked. Repeat for the other end. Keep the table level to avoid slate shifts.
Risk: Uneven lifting or weak dollies can collapse under 650+ pounds, causing injury or slate cracks ($500–$1,000 repair).
Move Slowly
Push the table from opposite corners, keeping speed low to control momentum. Avoid stairs or sharp turns, as tilting risks slate damage.
Risk: Fast movement or tight turns can tip the table, ruining the frame or slate.
Position and Level
Place the table in its new spot, remove dollies, and use a machinist’s level to ensure a flat surface—critical for gameplay. Adjust legs with shims if needed.
Risk: Improper leveling ruins playability, and DIY leveling lacks the precision pros offer.
Coastal Moving Services
long distance moves
as low as $1748
Long-distance moving all across the United States. Experienced and insured, residential and commercial.
4.9/5 AVERAGE RATING
DIY costs ($50-$150 for tools) seem low, but a cracked slate or injury can cost thousands. Coastal’s movers handle these risks for $300-$750, saving your table and your health. Call +1 (334) 659-1878+00 for a free quote!
Move a Pool Table Without Disassembling
For short moves (e.g., same room or adjacent space), you can avoid disassembly using dollies, per Nineballbilliards. Wrap table legs in blankets to prevent scratches. Lift one end with 2-3 helpers, sliding dollies under each corner, then repeat for the other end. Ensure dollies are locked and aligned. Push slowly from opposite corners, keeping speed controlled to avoid momentum, as a 1,000-pound table is hard to stop. Check doorways (min. 44 inches for 7-foot tables) and avoid stairs, as tilting risks slate cracks. Coastal’s movers use professional dollies and lift gates for safe, short-distance moves, saving you effort.
Disassemble and Move a Pool Table
For long-distance or tight-space moves, disassembly is safer.
Use these steps:
- Remove Pockets: Unscrew or unstaple pockets from rails using a screwdriver or staple puller.
- Detach Rails: Use a socket wrench to remove bolts under the frame, lifting rails gently.
- Remove Felt: Peel or unstaple felt carefully to reuse, or plan to refelt ($100-$300).
- Lift Slate: Unscrew slate (150-450 lbs each) with a drill, lifting with 2-3 helpers and wrapping in blankets.
- Remove Legs: Flip frame or unscrew legs with a drill, wrapping for protection.
Label parts and store screws in bags. Load slate vertically in a truck with straps to prevent jolts.
Coastal’s movers expertly disassemble and pack, ensuring no part is lost.
Reassemble Your Pool Table
At the new location, reverse the disassembly process. Set up the frame, reattach legs, and place slate panels, using a machinist’s level for precision, critical for slate tables, as uneven surfaces ruin play. Reattach rails, pockets, and felt, following manufacturer instructions to avoid tears. Pros charge $100-$200 for reassembly and leveling, ensuring accuracy.
Coastal’s movers reassemble and test your table, so you’re ready for the next game. Call +1 (334) 659-1878 for a free quote!
Hire Professional Pool Table Movers
DIY moves save money but risk damage—70% of movers prioritize damage-free transport. Professionals have tools (lift gates, pallet jacks), experience with brands like Brunswick, and insurance to cover mishaps.
Costs ($300-$750 local) outweigh replacing a $2,000 table or repairing a cracked slate ($500-$1,000).
Coastal Moving Services, a DOT-certified broker, connects you with pros for local or long-distance moves, ensuring your table arrives game-ready.
Call +1 (334) 659-1878 for a free quote and move with confidence!
