How to move a pool table

When you are facing an imminent move, one of the most important questions is how to move huge, bulky items. Moving a pool table to your new place requires a lot of effort, other people’s help, and proper equipment. Due to its dimensions, hiring professional movers would be the smartest idea. Here are a few things that you need to know if you are moving a pool table. Our tips will help you decide whether it’s necessary to hire specialty pool table movers, and how to move a pool table.

How to Move a Pool Table: A Complete Guide

Figure out the details

Before you move on to the next steps, take some time to find out what it takes to move a pool table successfully. Figure out the details, such as its dimensions, weight, shape, and moving distance because those things will define the level of complexity of the overall process.

Decide if it’s worth moving it

Decide whether the pool table should be moved at all. Is it worth the money and effort? If you are moving to another country, selling your current pool table and purchasing the new one would be probably the most appropriate thing to do. Although you have a lot of friends who are willing to help you with the move, you need to know that moving a pool table is a tricky, potentially dangerous, and expensive affair.

Consider hiring professional helpers

Moving a pool table is not about heavy lifting only. It needs to be disassembled, packed, secured, safely handled and transported, properly reassembled, and set up at your new place. A company that specializes in moving pool tables will be able to provide the most reliable help in this case. They know how to carry it and where to lift it in order to reduce the effort. If your budget allows, always choose professionals because they will have the necessary skills and tools to perform the job efficiently and on time.

Set a budget

Determine your moving budget so that you can decide whether you can afford to hire professional pool table movers. Know exactly how much money you will have to set aside for dismantling, packing, transporting, and reassembling your pool table by professional movers. Setting a budget in advance will also help you avoid overspending, as you will have a limit on your expenses.

Check if you can perform a DIY move

If you are moving locally, within the same city, or even neighborhood you may want to know how to move a pool table by yourself. It’s always safer and easier to let professionals handle it, but on some occasions, you may prefer to perform a DIY move. Keep in mind, though, that the process can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible.

Get necessary help

Gather helpers and volunteers that are willing to do the heavy lifting. Even the dismantling process is a bit complicated since there are many heavy components to deal with.

Gather supplies

Before you start disassembling the pool table, gather all the necessary tools and equipment – you’ll need a flathead screwdriver, staple remover, socket wrench, a pair of safety goggles, plastic bags, moving blankets, bubble wrap, packing tape, wooden dollies, etc.

Safety first

Mind the lifting techniques and always take safety precautions. Remember that you need to lift with your legs, not with your back in order to avoid some serious injuries.

Check out the manual

If you have kept the manual that came with your pool table follow the instructions for disassembling and reassembling. In case you’re hiring professional movers, you can also have a serial number and they should be able to handle it according to that.

Remove the pockets

The first thing to do when you start disassembling the pool table for moving is to remove the six side pockets (4 corner pockets and 2 side pockets). Don’t forget to protect yourself while doing this − wear protective goggles while taking out the staples.

Remove the bolts

Remove and store safely the bolts under the rails and then remove the felt. Afterward, you will see if the slate is composed of only one huge component or a couple of individual pieces.

Disassemble the slates

Disassembling the slates is probably the most demanding task. Take out slates one by one using appropriate equipment and tools. Put small components like screws in a plastic sealing bag and attach them to some bigger pieces. Slates can get easily damaged if not handled carefully so decide whether it is worth taking that risk.

Take photos

While you’re going through all the steps, make sure to take photos of the disassembling process. It will be extremely helpful later on if you’re not sure how to put it back together once you reach the new place. It’s much easier looking back at the photo than trying to remember what the procedure is.

Remove the legs

Removing the legs and the frame off the pool table will be a piece of cake compared with the previous task. Wrap every piece of the pool table separately to prevent them from getting scratched or damaged.

Make a layout

Before you reach a new place, go ahead and make a layout and include your pool table, you should know where it will go. To make sure you’re doing it right − take measurements of your new place so that you can be sure that your pool table fits.

Reassemble

Reassemble your pool table using the original manual and make sure all components are undamaged. You will go through the same steps as you did when disassembling it, but in reverse, so if you have a manual and pictures for reference, there should be no trouble putting it back.

Hopefully, our tips helped you get ready for moving a pool table and learn the basics, but remember that you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re looking for trustworthy movers to help you move a pool table, Dumbo Moving and Storage is here for you. Contact us anytime to get a free moving quote.