Moving a snooker table: what's involved
By Pool Table Movers team · Published · Updated
Moving a snooker table involves fully dismantling it, lifting out a heavy five-piece slate bed, transporting every part padded and flat, then rebuilding, re-levelling and re-covering the table at the new address. It typically takes a specialist crew of three or four most of a day, and a full-size 12ft snooker table move starts from £595.
Why snooker tables need a specialist
A full-size snooker table is one of the largest pieces of furniture you can have in a house. The playing area is roughly 12ft by 6ft, the slate bed is usually made of five heavy pieces around 40–50mm thick, and the whole table can weigh over a tonne. The table is also a precision instrument: championship-standard tables are levelled to tight tolerances and the cushions are fitted at a set height relative to the balls.
Moving one properly is a combination of heavy lifting and fine fitting. Getting either wrong leads to cracked slate, a sagging frame, uneven cushions or a table that rolls off. That is why snooker tables are moved by fitters who understand how the table is built, not just by people who can carry heavy things.
Before the move: survey and planning
Planning starts with the table and the route. We want to know the make and size if you have it, whether it is a full-size 12ft table or a smaller 10ft or three-quarter table, and what condition the cloth and cushions are in. Photos of the table, the room and the route out are very useful.
Access matters more with snooker tables than with almost any other item. We look at doorways, hallways, stairs, turns, garden paths and parking at both addresses. The slate pieces are carried flat or on edge and need a clear, straight route. Basements and upstairs rooms are possible but take extra crew and time. If the new room is in a garage or outbuilding, a level, solid floor is important.
We also check the new room size. As a rule of thumb, you need roughly a cue length of space around the table on every side to play comfortably, so a full-size table needs a large room. It is much easier to discover a problem at the planning stage than on the day.
Dismantling a snooker table
On the day, the crew lays floor protection along the route. The pockets and pocket leathers are removed first, then the cushion rails are unbolted from underneath and lifted away. The bed cloth is carefully removed; on snooker tables it is often glued to the edges of the slate, so if it is old or worn many owners choose new cloth rather than reuse.
The slates are held to the frame and to each other. The seams between them are filled with plaster or similar filler that needs to be cut out. Each slate is then lifted out by several people, using proper slate carriers, and wrapped in blankets. The frame, which on many tables is a heavy timber structure with cross-members and adjustable feet, is unbolted and taken apart. The legs come off last. Every part is labelled so the table goes back together exactly as it was.
Transporting the table
Slate is carried in the van either flat on a padded base or upright on its long edge in padded racks, strapped so it cannot move. It must never be laid across uneven loads or leaned at an angle unsupported. Cushion rails are wrapped and stored where nothing can be stacked on them, because the rubber and the cushion facing are easily damaged.
Distance affects the time and cost of the move but not the method. A move across town and a longer move between regions use the same careful loading. If the new room is not ready, the table can go into storage with slates flat and frame wrapped.
Rebuilding and re-levelling
Rebuilding is where most of the skill lies. The frame is assembled and set roughly level on its adjustable feet. The slates are placed one at a time, aligned along the seams, and shimmed so that each join is flush. The seams are filled, left to set and sanded or scraped flush so the ball runs over them with no bump.
The bed is then levelled in every direction using an engineer's level, adjusting the frame feet and shims until the whole surface is flat. Snooker tables may also have slate heating on some premium installations, which is reconnected at this stage. The cloth is stretched over the bed and fixed, the cushions are recovered or refitted and bolted on at the correct height, and the pockets go back on. A final check with the level and a few balls rolled from each cushion confirms the table is running true.
How long it takes and what it costs
A typical full-size snooker table move takes a crew of three or four most of a working day, including dismantling, loading, travel and rebuilding. Difficult access, a long carry, stairs or a full recloth can extend that. Smaller snooker tables are quicker.
Our full-size 12ft snooker table moves start from £595. A recloth while the table is apart starts from £150 for pool tables and is quoted individually for snooker tables because cloth grades vary widely. Distance, stairs and access all affect the final price, and we confirm a fixed figure in writing before you book.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is underestimating the weight and the number of people needed. A snooker slate carried by too few people is a real risk to the slate and to the people carrying it. The second is trying to move the table with the cushions still fitted, which can damage the rubbers and rail joints. The third is rebuilding without checking the level properly, leaving a table that looks right but plays off.
Another mistake is forgetting the room. A full-size table needs a lot of space to play around comfortably, and squeezing one into a room that is slightly too small means short cues and frustration. Measure before you commit.
Moving a snooker table to or from a club
Club and commercial moves follow the same process but often have extra considerations: working around opening hours, moving several tables in one visit, coordinating with building managers and protecting public areas. If a club is closing or refitting, tables can be collected, stored and reinstalled when the new space is ready. Buying a used table from a club is popular, and we can collect, transport and install it in your home in one go.
Should you recloth a snooker table when moving it?
Because the bed is fully exposed during a move, it is the most cost-effective time to fit new cloth. If the old cloth is worn, marked, glued or has lost its nap, replacing it means the table returns playing like new. Even good cloth often stretches or tears when lifted from a snooker bed, so we always discuss the condition of the cloth before the move.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a snooker table?
A full-size 12ft snooker table move starts from £595. Distance, stairs, access and whether you want a recloth affect the final price.
How many slates does a snooker table have?
A full-size snooker table usually has a five-piece slate bed, each piece around 40–50mm thick.
Can a snooker table be moved upstairs?
Yes, with a larger crew, proper slate carriers and a clear route. Check that the floor is suitable for the weight before installation.
See our pool table moving prices or find pool table movers near you.