How Much Does It Cost To Move A Pool Table?

Factors that Affect the Price of Your Pool Table Move

Not all pool tables are created equal. There is a huge variety of different makes, models, ages, and styles of pool tables. Factor these differences when calculating the price you can expect to pay for your moving services and tell your moving team the exact model of table you have. Your moving company needs to know as many details as possible about the pool table you want to move so that they can execute the move flawlessly and give you as accurate a quote as possible before you schedule the moving day.

The following are some factors that will likely play a role in the price you pay to move your pool table.

The Size of Your Pool Table

Is your pool table a comfortable seven feet long, or is it ten feet? Is it somewhere in between? No matter the size, this is a big job, but the size of the table contributes to its moving feasibility as well as its weight. The price of a pool table relocation includes the cost of the number of workers needed to move the table and its maneuverability during the move. They need to know the size to plan the move and make their quote precisely reflect the final cost.

Your movers also need to know the size of the areas they will be in while moving the table. Are there tight corners? Narrow spaces? If the movers know the dimensions and these details and the size of your pool table, it can help ensure that they’re able to complete the move and assign the correct number of team members to tackle the job.

The Material Your Table is Made From

Pool tables are typically made of wood for the frame, but the tabletop itself can be either wood or slate. Slate is a lot heavier than wood, so that accounts for some of the pricing because the workers have to lift a heavier, more cumbersome table than if it were just wood.

The body of the table and the number and type of pockets that the table has can also play a role in the price you’ll pay to move the pool table. Solid wood pool tables are heavier than steel or aluminum ones, and weight is added when the flat part is slate. Other (more affordable and less heavy) tables feature bodies made from pressed fiberboard.

The Weight of Your Table

As mentioned above, the material of your pool table affects its weight, and the size will affect the weight as well. If a solid wood frame supports your pool table’s bed, movers will need to be aware of this to plan accordingly. A heavier table will require more people to relocate (and likely disassemble). More people and more specialized training will raise the cost of moving your pool table.

The Distance You’re Moving

If you’re seeking a local move, it costs about $3 per mile on average to move a pool table. However, if you need to move the pool table across the country or even just several hundred miles, the average cost is typically $1 per mile.

Why this difference in price? After all, the same number of workers are needed with either move, and the disassembly and reassembly processes are the same regardless of distance. The workers still have to do the same disassembly, loading, unloading, and reassembly regardless of whether the move is local or cross country. If you’re moving locally, the higher expense per mile reflects the amount of labor and time that the workers spend on the job, and the average mile cost goes down when the moving distance goes up because the mileage averages out with the cost of labor.

The Make and Model of Your Table

Professional movers can typically tell how many people they will need and what procedure to adopt to move your pool table if you tell them the year, make, and model. For example, Brunswick has made pool tables for 170 years and is a very reputable brand. The typical size of a Brunswick pool table is eight or ten feet, and it depends on how old it is to determine the approximate weight. Antique Brunswick tables are made using solid wood, weighing hundreds of pounds. Knowing these details allows your moving company to estimate labor and transportation needs accurately.

The make and model also determine what kind of disassembly and reassembly will be required to move the pool table successfully. If the mover knows these details, it will save you hidden costs that may unexpectedly pop up later. An internal ball system in a pool table increases the moving price; external net or plastic pockets aren’t as heavy and are easier to replace, so they do not add significant costs to your move.

The Number of Slates on the Table

Pool tables fall into two main categories: one-piece slate beds and three-piece slate beds. If your tabletop is made of wood, it’s one piece, and it doesn’t belong in one of these two categories. If your pool table is one-piece slate, it will be a lot heavier and require more finesse to move than if it comes apart into three pieces. A typical one-piece slate bed pool table can weigh upwards of 400 pounds, and you can’t take it apart for ease of transport.

On the other hand, three-piece slate bed tables can be disassembled into three pieces, reducing the load on the movers and making the smaller size of the pieces more manageable to move than one huge table. The bottom line is that most movers will charge more to move a one-piece slate than a three-piece slate, especially considering that a one-piece slate will take a minimum of four workers to transport safely.

Any Stairs Involved in the Move

Movers always add an extra charge for stairs. Stairs are risky and raise the stakes for the movers who are doing the heavy lifting on your pool table. Since they have to calculate the precise ways to get the table (or pieces of it) up or down stairs, this adds some expertise and experience to the cost.

Should You Move a Pool Table on Your Own?

The only reason this question is ever raised is because of the expense of hiring professionals to move a pool table. Pool tables are like luxury cars; they are expensive to buy and expensive to take care of or relocate. Can you move a pool table on your own? Maybe. Should you? It is advisable to leave it to the pros, and here are some reasons why.

• Movers have the right equipment: Your moving team will arrive at your home with specialized tools and equipment that you don’t likely possess. If you buy this equipment yourself, you’ll likely only use it once, meaning it’s usually more cost-effective to hire a team. The professionals use particular screwdrivers, wrenches, and small detailed instruments to disassemble your pool table and put it back together at the new location without damage.

When a professional company moves your pool table, they know exactly how to take these pieces apart and the correct methods to put them back together. In fact, many companies will replace the felt they removed with all new felt, and some may even upgrade your pockets and cushions with your move for an added cost.

• Weight: Pool tables are extremely heavy. Even if you find enough people to help you move it, you risk injury to yourself and those helpers if you’re not a professional mover. You can also break the pool table in the process.

• Pool tables can be made of slate: If your pool table is one big piece of slate, as mentioned above, it can be up to 1,000 pounds, and you cannot take the table apart. You may be able to remove the legs, but the largest part of the table will have to be moved as one awkward whole. If the table is a three-piece slate, those pieces are usually painstakingly connected with caulk, resin, or other materials that you will have to first break apart yourself and then reconnect.
• You’ll probably end up damaging your table: Even if you managed to make it this far on your own (purchasing specialty tools, maneuvering a bulky and extremely heavy piece of furniture, disassembling and reassembling without damage), you are not a professional. Once you re-felt your table, it will likely be unlevel, and the table will be unbalanced. You might even break the slate of the table. The professionals know that these are sensitive items. They will be able to put the table together in its new home correctly and with the precision necessary to keep the table level so that every game is even.
• Movers have experience. They do this every day. The chances of you getting this right yourself without any mistakes and damage to yourself, your house, or the table are quite minimal. There is a reason why there are professional pool table movers—so that they can use their skills, training, and experience to make sure that these costly pieces make it from one place to another without so much as a scratch.

If you’re moving long-distance and you’re concerned about the cost or even damage to your pool table from moving it, consider selling it before you move. You can then use those funds to purchase a pool table at your destination.

Our Recommended Pool Table Movers

As you can see, there are many reasons why you might want to leave your pool table move to the professionals. However, not every pool table mover is equal in terms of value and service quality. Explore a few of our favorite options for pool table moving below.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) is one of the most experienced moving companies in the industry, with experience providing moving services in all states and more than 150 countries worldwide. IVL is a full-service mover, which means that their team provides a range of specialized services to make your move easier. For example, you can hire IVL’s movers to provide packing for your entire home (or only your most fragile items), crating for especially heavy or fragile items, and complete disassembly and reassembly. If you’re looking for a proactive moving team and the easiest move possible, we recommend IVL.

American Van Lines

American Van Lines (AVL) has built a solid reputation in the moving industry thanks to its commitment to employee training. Unlike some other moving companies that contract out portions of their move, AVL trains all its team members and hires them. This allows AVL to ensure that all of their movers pass a background check, know exactly how to lift heavy objects (like pool tables), and have been thoroughly trained on best loading and transportation practices. If you’re looking for the highest quality team members and add-on services for your upcoming move, AVL might be the right choice for your needs.

uShip

Moving a pool table can be expensive. If you’re looking for a way to bring your pool table along with you while also adhering to your moving budget, uShip might be the right option for you. uShip is a moving marketplace that connects you with local moving teams. You can create a listing at a specific price point, allowing moving companies to bid on your move. If you aren’t sure how much you should pay for your move, you can also request bids from moving teams.

After reviewing your quotes and estimates, you can see reviews of each moving team from previous customers. You can then book through the platform for a safe and easy move. uShip is also ideal if you’re only moving a pool table and don’t want to pay for a full-service team.

View more of our recommended pool table movers here.

Get Your Free Quotes

We recommend getting a quote from all of our favorite moving companies before you book your move date. Every moving company uses its own formula to calculate pricing, which means that it’s possible to find the exact same move from five different movers at five completely different price points. Be sure to get each of your quotes in writing to lock in your price later on after you know all of your options.