How much does it cost to move a pool table?

Moving a pool table requires strength, precision, and professional expertise – the bulky yet delicate piece of furniture needs to be properly disassembled, well protected, and skillfully handled to survive the relocation safe and sound (and it needs to be correctly reassembled and set up in the new home). If you try to do the job yourself, you run the risk of damaging your expensive game equipment, damaging the walls and floors in your house, and hurting yourself. Your best bet is to hire professional pool table movers.

The experts have the specialized tools, right qualification, expert skill, and rich experience to move a pool table in the safest and most efficient way possible. They will take good care of your valuable furniture and will save you a lot of time, effort, and trouble. Their services, however, come at a cost.

And while the cost is definitely worth it, you need to know exactly how much you’ll have to pay for the relocation of your pool table so you can plan your finances and make an efficient moving budget.

So, how much does it cost to move a pool table? The final price depends on a number of factors, but the average cost to move a pool table is about $400-$600. Read on for details and cost-saving tips.

Factors that determine the pool table relocation cost

Moving a pool table can cost anywhere between $200 and $800, depending on the type of the table, the distance of the move, and the desired/necessitated additional services.

On average, it costs $3 per mile to move a pool table at a distance of less than 100 miles (local moving) and about $1 per mile to ship a pool table across the country. Of course, larger, heavier tables will be more expensive to move than smaller ones and any obstacles at the pick-up or delivery locations (stairs, sharp turns, etc.) will further increase the cost.

The actual cost to move a pool table is calculated based on a number of factors:

1. Type of the table

• Size – Pool table sizes can vary from 5 feet to 12 feet, but 7, 8 and 9 foot slate pool tables are most common in homes. Needless to say, the larger the table, the higher the moving cost will be due to the greater weight and greater difficulty of disassembling and reassembling a larger piece of furniture. The base rate for moving a 7-foot table starts at $239 and goes up to $249-$289 for an 8-foot table and $299-$349 for a 9-foot table;
• Weight and number of slates – A slate top pool table can weigh between 650 and 1,000 pounds, depending on its size and the number of slates it has (one or three). A one piece slate weighs approximately 450 lbs and a typical three piece 1” framed slate weighs about 600-650 lbs. When split into three pieces, however, that’s only 200 lbs per slab – and these smaller, lighter pieces of stone are easier to move and require less manpower than a large one piece slate (which is also much more difficult to maneuver than three separate slabs);
• Make and model – Depending on their brand and the era in which they were constructed, pool tables need to be disassembled and reassembled in a specific way. Therefore, the manufacturer (Brunswick, Olhausen, Connelly, etc.) and the time period (antique, modern, etc.) also have an impact on the final pool table moving cost;
• Pocket style – The price to move a table with a ball return system is different from the price to move a drop pocket pool table (whether the table has leather or plastic pockets matters as well).

2. Peculiarities of the pick-up and delivery locations

Any special circumstances that make the process of maneuvering a pool table out of/into a property more difficult (lots of stairs, tight corners, narrow doorways, etc.) increase the final price. What floor the table is moved from and to is of particular importance to the relocation cost.

3. Move distance

The cost of moving a pool table depends to a great extent on the distance between the pickup and delivery locations. The shorter the distance, the less time the move will take and the smaller the relocation cost will be:

• Taking a pool table from one room to another (an in-house move) is, of course, the cheapest scenario. Keep in mind though that if the table must go up or down stairs, you will be charged extra;
• Moving a billiard table to another home in the same town or city (or anywhere within 100 miles of the origin location) typically costs between $300 and $500. For local moves, there is usually a mileage fee charged on top of the base rate;
• Shipping a pool table across the country can be anywhere from $600 to $1000 (and more), depending on the weight of the table and the actual distance to the destination address (See also: How much do long distance movers cost?)

4. Special services

Reputable pool table movers offer various improvement services when a table is moved to a new location. You can have the pockets or cushions replaces, new felt put on, wood elements refinished, etc. The pros can make the desired upgrades for an additional fee (re-felting, for example, can cost from $200 to $500, depending on the type of felt used) while the table is disassembled for moving – and it will be much more cost-effective than fixing or upgrading components after the relocation when the table is already set up.

Knowing the factors that go into the cost of moving a pool table will give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for the relocation of your table, but to get an exact number you need to request a price estimate from a professional mover.

How to find cheap pool table movers

Finding quality pool table moving services at an affordable price may not be easy, but it’s perfectly doable – as long as you know what to look for and how to choose the right mover for you:

• Visit the websites of several pool table moving companies in your area to see what they have to offer. Get free moving quotes and compare the rates;
• Read customer reviews to find out what you can expect from different pool table movers;
• Request on-site price estimates from three or four experienced, trustworthy professionals who seem to best suit your requirements and your available budget;
• Compare the offers – pay attention not only to the price but also to what is included in it (usually breakdown, transportation, and set-up, but some additional services may also be factored in), what may cost extra, and what special conditions apply;
• Discuss the details of your move with your future relocation partners – pick-up date and time, handling requirements, set-up requirements, possible obstacles and difficulties, extra charges, etc. – and pick the best pool table movers for you.

Good to remember: While most reputable moving companies can successfully move your pool table, it’s best to hire a professional who specializes in pool table relocation services.

Bonus cost-saving tips for moving a pool table

To avoid financial surprises when moving a pool table and keep the relocation cost as low as possible, you’re advised to:

• Discuss the costs for any upgrades, repairs, or refurbishing you might want in advance;
• Not attempt to disassemble the pool table yourself before the movers arrive – improper disassembly may cause damage to the furniture or incur extra charges;
• If you’re moving a pool table within the same room or to an adjacent room on the same floor, you can do it yourself with the help of heavy-duty furniture sliders or furniture four-wheel dollies – and avoid relocation costs altogether. All you need to do is place one slider/dolly under each leg and slowly push the pool table to its desired location (See also: How to move a pool table by yourself);
• If you’re moving long distance, it may be financially wiser to sell your pool table and buy another one from your new area rather than to pay for the relocation of the table. (See also: Is it better to move furniture or buy new?)

Once your pool table is properly reassembled, leveled, and set up in your new home, you’ll find that every penny you paid to have your cherished piece of furniture professionally moved has been worth it. Now, it’s time to enjoy the game – and enjoy your new life.