How to Move a Pool Table: Atlanta’s Expert Guide from Pack It Up Moving

Moving a pool table is one of the most challenging furniture relocations you can attempt. These heavy, finely calibrated pieces of equipment can weigh between 700 and 1,000 pounds and contain delicate internal components that must remain perfectly aligned for proper play. Damaging a pool table during a move can result in thousands of dollars in repairs or complete replacement. Whether you’re relocating within Atlanta, moving to a new home across Georgia, or simply repositioning your pool table within your game room, understanding the proper techniques is essential. At Pack It Up Moving in Atlanta, we’ve successfully relocated countless pool tables for satisfied customers. Here’s our comprehensive guide to moving a pool table safely and efficiently.

Why Pool Table Moving Requires Professional Expertise

Pool tables are precision instruments, not ordinary furniture. They fall under moving oversized items like pool tables that require specialized handling and equipment to transport safely.

The slate bed must remain perfectly level to ensure fair play. The rails contain complex internal mechanisms, the felt surface is expensive and easily damaged, and the entire structure is extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver. One mistake—tilting incorrectly, applying uneven pressure, or navigating tight spaces improperly—can cause damage that costs $500 to $3,000 or more to repair.

Professional pool table movers have specialized equipment, training, and experience that DIY movers simply don’t possess. They understand how to disassemble tables safely, protect all components during transport, and reassemble and level tables properly at the destination. The investment in professional moving often costs far less than repairing a damaged pool table.

Step 1: Assess Your Pool Table and Moving Route

Start by determining your pool table’s exact specifications. Measure its length, width, and height. Standard pool tables are eight feet long, but seven-foot and nine-foot models exist. Document the table’s weight, which typically ranges from 700 to 1,000 pounds for slate tables (lighter cloth tables weigh 200 to 400 pounds).

Next, carefully measure your moving route. Pool tables are long and require significant clearance. Measure doorways, hallways, stairwells, and any tight turns along the path from your current location to the moving truck and then to your new space. Use painter’s tape to outline the table’s footprint on cardboard and do a practice run through your home. This simple step prevents getting your table wedged in a doorway.

Check whether stairs, narrow hallways, or tight corners are part of your route. If so, professional moving is strongly recommended. Moving a pool table up or down stairs dramatically increases complexity and injury risk.

Step 2: Prepare for Disassembly

Before disassembling your pool table, document everything. Take detailed photos of the table’s current setup, including all connections, the felt condition, and how cushions are positioned. These photos serve as reassembly references. Some pool tables have unique configurations or modifications, and photos help you remember how everything fits together.

Clear the area around your pool table. Remove decorations, accessories, and anything that might interfere with disassembly or movement. Protect your floor with cardboard or protective pads, as the table’s weight can damage hardwood or tile.

Step 3: Remove Balls, Cues, and Accessories

Start by removing everything from the table—pool balls, cues, racks, chalk, and any personal items stored in pockets. These accessories should be packed separately in small boxes and transported safely. Never attempt to move a pool table with balls or other items sitting on the felt or inside pockets.

Step 4: Disconnect and Remove the Slate Surface

This is where professional expertise becomes crucial. The slate bed—the playing surface—must be carefully removed and protected. For slate tables, the process involves:

Locating all bolts or fasteners securing the slate to the wooden frame. These are typically underneath the table. Use appropriate wrenches to remove each bolt carefully. Enlist strong helpers to support the slate as you remove the final bolts. Slate is extremely heavy (usually 400 to 500 pounds for an eight-foot table) and can cause serious injury if it falls or shifts.

Carefully lower the slate onto moving blankets or protective padding. Never attempt to stand a slate bed on its edge, as this can cause cracking. Slate must remain horizontal during transport and storage. Wrap the slate in several layers of protective blankets or foam padding, securing with moving straps.

For tables with felt covering the slate, be extremely careful not to damage the felt during this process. Professional movers often remove the felt first, protecting it separately.

Step 5: Disassemble the Frame and Rails

After removing the slate, the wooden frame and cushioned rails can be disassembled. Locate bolts or fasteners holding these components together. Remove carefully, labeling each bolt and fastener with painter’s tape indicating where it belongs.

Protect the felt surface—if it hasn’t already been removed—with moving blankets to prevent snagging, tearing, or staining. Remove cushions if they’re detachable, wrapping each in protective padding.

Step 6: Protect All Components for Transport

Each component should be wrapped separately in moving blankets or protective padding:

The slate bed receives the most protection—wrap in multiple layers of blankets and secure with straps. The wooden frame can be wrapped in one or two layers of blankets. Cushions, rails, and other components should each be individually wrapped. Cue sticks should be placed in a protective tube or long carrying case if available. All small hardware (bolts, fasteners, corner pockets) should be placed in clearly labeled plastic bags and taped to corresponding components.

Step 7: Load Components into the Moving Truck

Load heavier components first. For heavy slate beds and wooden frames, professional loading and unloading services ensure each part is positioned and secured safely inside the truck.

Never place the slate on its edge or at an angle. Position the wooden frame next to or on top of the slate if space allows, supporting all contact points with padding.

Secure all components with moving straps, anchoring them to the truck to prevent shifting during transit. Place cushions, rails, and smaller components in the secured framework.

Step 8: Transportation and Unloading

During transport, drive carefully to avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, or rough roads. Bumpy roads and aggressive driving can shift the slate or damage components. If transporting long distances, consider hiring professional movers with experience in pool table transport—they use specialized vehicles and securing methods.

Upon arrival at your new Atlanta location, carefully unload components in reverse order. Support the slate with padding on all sides. Never drag the slate across floors or rough surfaces.

Step 9: Reassembly and Leveling

Reassembly requires precision and care. Using your photos as references, reconstruct the frame, secure the slate to the frame using the original bolts, install cushions and rails, apply new felt if needed or reuse existing felt carefully, and install corner pockets.

The most critical step is leveling. Pool tables must be perfectly level—typically within 1/16 inch deviation—for fair play. Use a quality level to check both lengthwise and widthwise. Adjust using shims or the table’s adjustable feet until perfectly level.

After leveling, run your hand across the felt to ensure it’s smooth and properly stretched. For tables with new felt, the felt-stretching process requires professional skill and equipment.

Step 10: Test and Adjust

Before considering the move complete, test your pool table thoroughly. Roll a cue ball across the table in multiple directions, ensuring it rolls straight without curving or slowing unexpectedly. Check rail responses—the balls should bounce back with consistent speed and angle. Inspect the felt for any tears, wrinkles, or damage sustained during the move.

If anything seems off, don’t attempt further playing. Contact a professional pool table service technician to address any leveling, rail, or felt issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Never attempt to move a pool table without professional help unless you have specific experience. Tilting the table excessively stresses the frame and can crack the slate. Failing to level the table after reassembly results in unfair play. Moving without adequate helpers causes injury and damage. Transporting the slate vertically or at an angle can result in permanent cracking. Skipping protective padding allows components to shift and sustain damage.

When to Hire Professional Movers

For most pool table moves, professional movers are the smart choice. Wise choices include: if your pool table has a slate bed (these are expensive and fragile), if stairs or narrow hallways are part of your moving route, if you’re moving long distances, if you’re uncertain about any step in the process, or if your table is antique or has sentimental value.

Pack It Up Moving specializes in pool table relocation throughout Atlanta. Our experienced teams have the expertise, equipment, and insurance coverage to protect your investment.

Atlanta-Specific Considerations

Many Atlanta homes feature basements or game rooms with multiple entry points to navigate. Some historic Atlanta properties have narrow hallways and small doorways that complicate pool table moves. Our local team understands these challenges and plans moves accordingly. Whether you’re relocating within the city or to a nearby neighborhood, our local moving services in Atlanta make every transition smooth and efficient. We’re familiar with Atlanta’s traffic patterns and can schedule moves to minimize disruptions.

Why Choose Pack It Up Moving for Pool Table Relocation

Pack It Up Moving brings professional expertise, specialized equipment, and insurance coverage to every pool table move. Our Atlanta-based team understands local challenges and delivers reliable, careful service. We handle everything from initial assessment and disassembly through careful transport and precise reassembly with professional leveling.

Contact Pack It Up Moving at (678) 334-2601 or office@packitupmoving.com for a free consultation on your pool table moving needs in Atlanta.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving a Pool Table

Can I move a pool table myself, or do I really need professionals?
While experienced DIYers with adequate helpers might move simple tables short distances, professional movers are strongly recommended for most pool table relocations. The precision required for reassembly and leveling, combined with the expense of slate damage, makes professional help a wise investment. For slate tables or moves involving stairs or tight spaces, professional help is essential.

How much does professional pool table moving cost in Atlanta?
Pool table moving costs in Atlanta typically range from $300 to $1,500 depending on table type, distance, and complexity. Slate tables cost more to move than cloth tables. Long-distance moves or those involving stairs cost more than local, single-floor moves. Pack It Up Moving provides transparent quotes with no hidden fees.

Will my pool table need releveling after the move?
Yes, pool tables should always be releveled after moving. Transportation, even carefully executed, can shift the slate slightly. Professional releveling ensures your table plays fairly and consistently. This step is essential and should never be skipped.

What happens if my pool table is damaged during the move?
Pack It Up Moving carries insurance coverage for all items we transport. If damage occurs during our move, we work to address the issue. However, the best approach is hiring professionals with proper expertise and experience to prevent damage in the first place.

Ready to Move Your Pool Table Safely?

Don’t risk damaging your prized pool table attempting a DIY move. Pack It Up Moving brings professional expertise, specialized equipment, and insurance coverage to every Atlanta relocation. Our experienced team handles pool tables of all sizes with precision and care. Contact us at (678) 334-2601 or email office@packitupmoving.com today for your free quote. Let Atlanta’s trusted movers handle your pool table move the right way—safe, efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.