A pool table is the undisputed champion of the games room. It’s the source of countless hours of fun, friendly competition, and maybe a few frustrated groans. But when it comes to moving house, that beloved centrepiece can quickly become your heaviest, most complicated, and most intimidating challenge.
Moving a pool table isn’t like moving a couch. It’s a precision-engineered piece of furniture, with a perfectly flat, incredibly heavy slate top that can weigh hundreds of kilograms. One wrong move can lead to a warped playing surface, a cracked slate, or serious personal injury.
So, can you move a pool table yourself? Or is this a job strictly for the professional removalists? This guide will break down both options, helping you make the right call and ensuring your table is ready for a break shot in its new home.
The Big Question: Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?
Before we go any further, let’s address the elephant in the room. For 99% of people, hiring a professional pool table removalist is the best, safest, and most sensible option.
Here’s why the pros are worth it:
- Specialised Equipment: They have the right dollies, tools, and lifting gear to handle the immense weight of the slate.
- Expertise: They know how to disassemble, transport, and reassemble your specific table model without causing damage.
- Manpower: A professional crew has the strength and coordination needed for the job.
- Precision Re-levelling: The most critical part of reassembly is getting the slate perfectly level. Professionals have the tools and know-how to do this flawlessly.
- Insurance: If they damage your table or your property, they are insured. If you do it, you’re on your own.
When might a DIY move be an option?
A DIY move should only be considered if ALL of the following are true:
- You are moving a smaller, cheaper, non-slate (MDF or wood bed) table.
- You are only moving it to another room on the same level.
- You are extremely confident with tools and heavy lifting.
- You have at least 3-4 very strong and reliable friends to help.
For any standard slate pool table, especially for a move to a new house, hiring a professional is the recommended path.
How Much Do Professional Pool Table Movers Cost in Australia?
The cost varies depending on the size of the table, access at both locations (stairs are a big factor!), and the distance of the move. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay:
- Local Move (within the same city): $500 – $900
- Stairs or Difficult Access: An additional $100 – $300
- Refelting (if you want to replace the cloth at the same time): An additional $400 – $700
A Guide to the DIY Pool Table Move (If You Must!)
If you’ve assessed the risks and are still determined to tackle it yourself, you cannot simply lift it and carry it. A slate table must be completely disassembled.
Disclaimer: This is a highly complex process. Proceed at your own risk.
Tools and Supplies You Will Need:
- A power drill or socket wrench set
- A flathead screwdriver or staple puller
- Safety glasses and work gloves
- Several strong helpers (at least 4 people total)
- Moving blankets or old doonas
- A heavy-duty furniture dolly or multiple dollies
- A level for reassembly
Step 1: Measure Everything
Before you start, measure the pool table and all the doorways, hallways, and stairwells at both your old and new homes. The last thing you want is to get a 250kg piece of slate stuck in a stairwell.
Step 2: The Disassembly
- Remove the Pockets: Start by unscrewing the bolts that hold the pockets in place. Label each pocket and its corresponding hardware in a sealed bag.
- Remove the Rails: Next, remove the side rails. There will be bolts underneath the table holding them on. Be careful, as the rails can be heavy and are often attached as one solid piece.
- Remove the Felt (The Point of No Return): This is where it gets tricky. The felt (or cloth) is usually either stapled or glued to the slate. You will need to carefully remove the staples using a staple puller or flathead screwdriver. Be extremely gentle to avoid ripping the felt if you plan to reuse it. Peel it back slowly and fold it carefully.
- Remove the Slate: This is the most dangerous step. The slate top is usually made of one, two, or three pieces and is incredibly heavy. You will see screws holding the slate to the frame. Once all screws are removed, you and your helpers must lift the slate straight up and off the frame. Never slide it. Place the slate pieces on their edge on moving blankets for transport.
Step 3: Transporting the Pieces
- Wrap the frame, legs, rails, and pockets in moving blankets to protect them from scratches.
- Transport the slate pieces vertically on their edge. Use a heavy-duty dolly and strap them in securely. Never lay slate flat during transport as it can crack under its own weight with bumps in the road.
Step 4: The Reassembly
Reassembly is the disassembly process in reverse, but with one crucial extra step: levelling.
- Rebuild the frame and legs in the desired location.
- Carefully place the slate pieces back on the frame.
- Use a high-quality level to ensure the slate is perfectly flat. This may involve shimming the slate with thin pieces of wood or plastic between the slate and the frame. This is a painstaking process of tiny adjustments.
- Re-stretch and re-staple or glue the felt. Getting it perfectly taut and smooth is an art form.
- Reattach the rails and pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you move a pool table without taking it apart?
For a non-slate, wood-bed table, possibly, if you have enough people to lift it without putting pressure on the legs. For a slate table, absolutely not. The weight of the slate will put immense stress on the frame and legs, almost guaranteeing damage.
How heavy is a pool table slate?
A single piece of slate for a standard 8-foot pool table can weigh between 200kg and 300kg. This is not a weight to be taken lightly.
How do you move a pool table up or down stairs?
This is the number one reason to hire professionals. They have the specialised stair-climbing dollies, equipment, and experience to do it safely. Attempting to move hundreds of kilograms of slate on stairs is extremely dangerous and can result in life-threatening injuries.
What happens if the slate cracks during the move?
A cracked slate is essentially irreparable. It will need to be replaced, which is a very expensive job. This is the biggest financial risk of a DIY move.