Moving is stressful enough without worrying about a 700-pound piece of furniture. If you own a pool table and you’re relocating anywhere in Massachusetts – whether you’re heading from Boston to the suburbs, crossing town in Worcester, or settling into a new place on the South Shore – your pool table needs special attention. This isn’t something you can wrap in a blanket and toss in the back of a moving truck.
Here’s what every Massachusetts homeowner should know before moving day arrives.
Why pool tables are different from every other piece of furniture
Most furniture is heavy but straightforward to move. Pool tables are heavy and complicated. A standard slate pool table can weigh anywhere from 650 to over 1,000 pounds depending on the size and construction. The playing surface is made of precision-cut slate – often in three separate pieces – that must be carefully disassembled, transported flat, and reassembled with exact leveling tolerances.
Move it wrong and you risk cracking the slate, warping the frame, damaging the felt, or ending up with a table that plays unevenly for years. Even a slight tilt in the playing surface will throw off every shot.
Can you move a pool table yourself?
Technically, yes. Practically? It’s rarely worth it. Here’s what a proper pool table move actually involves:
- Removing the pockets, rails, and felt without tearing or stretching the cloth
- Carefully lifting and separating the slate pieces (each weighing 150–250 lbs)
- Wrapping and securing all components for transport
- Navigating stairs, doorways, and tight corners
- Reassembling the table and releveling it to within a thousandth of an inch
Without the right tools and experience, it’s easy to damage the slate or the table frame – and slate replacement alone can cost several hundred dollars. Most homeowners who try a DIY move end up calling a professional anyway, just to fix what went wrong.
What to do before the movers arrive
Whether you’re hiring professionals or tackling it yourself, a little preparation goes a long way.
Measure your new space first
This one surprises a lot of people. A pool table needs significantly more room than its actual footprint – you need enough clearance around all four sides for a full cue stroke. For a standard 8-foot table, that typically means a room at least 13.5 feet wide and 17 feet long. Confirm your new room can accommodate the table before anything gets loaded on a truck.
Document the table’s current condition
Take photos of the felt, rails, pockets, and legs before disassembly. This gives you a clear baseline if anything needs attention after the move – and it’s useful if you’re considering a refelt at the same time.
Consider refelting during the move
Since your table will be completely disassembled anyway, a move is actually the perfect time to replace the cloth. The table is already apart, which cuts down on labor, and you’ll start fresh in your new home with a crisp playing surface. It’s worth asking your pool table service company if they can bundle the services together. Re-Cover Pool Table Services are available if you decide to do it at a later date.
Hiring pool table movers in Massachusetts: what to look for
Not every moving company is equipped to handle a pool table. Here’s what sets a qualified pool table service apart from a general mover:
- Experience specifically with billiard table disassembly and reassembly – not just furniture moving
- Proper leveling tools (machinist-grade levels, not a basic bubble level)
- Fully insured crews in case of damage
- Knowledge of different table brands and construction styles
- A track record of completed moves in your area
Ask directly: “Do you use a machinist level during reassembly?” A good technician will level a table to within thousandths of an inch. That precision is what separates a table that plays beautifully from one that always seems slightly off.
What does it cost to move a pool table in Massachusetts?
Costs vary depending on the size of the table, the distance of the move, and whether any stairs or difficult access points are involved. Local moves within Massachusetts typically fall in the range of several hundred dollars, with longer distances or added services increasing that cost.
It’s also worth factoring in whether the felt needs replacing or any repairs are needed at the same time – bundling services is often more cost-effective than scheduling them separately.
All Pro Billiards serves moves across Massachusetts
All Pro Billiards has been moving, installing, and servicing pool tables across Massachusetts for over 25 years. From Greater Boston and the MetroWest area to Central Mass, the South Shore, and the North Shore, our crews handle every move with care and precision. We use a 21-point leveling system with machinist levels to make sure your table plays perfectly in its new home.
If you’re planning a move and need your pool table handled the right way, reach out for a quote. We’re happy to answer questions and walk you through what’s involved.