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How much does refelting a pool table cost?

January 16, 2023
How much does refelting a pool table cost

Refelting a pool table can cost you an average of $380. The lowest possible price is $250, and the highest is $600. 

The factors that heavily influence the price are the felt material and the length of your pool table.

Using cheaper felt material like napped cloth on a 7-foot pool table can lead you to only spending less than $300, but using worsted cloth on a 9-foot pool table can get you closer to the most expensive price.

Factors That May Affect the Price of Refelting a Pool Table

There are three main factors that can affect the price of refelting a pool table: the felt material, the pool table length, and labor. 

Pool Table Felt Material

Pool Table Felt Material

Different felt materials have varying levels of quality, which also means varying costs. While there are many pool table felt brands in the market, there are only two kinds of felt material: napped cloth and worsted cloth. 

Napped cloth cost averages at $220, while worsted cloth cost averages at $340. 

These prices can still change depending on the length of your pool table. Expect to add between $20 to $50 for every additional foot.

Pool Table Length

Pool Table Length

The length of the pool table can affect how much felt material you’ll need. 

Pool tables come in these sizes: 7 feet, 8 feet, and 9 feet. Here are the minimum refelting costs for each pool table size:

Pool Table LengthAverage Pool Refelting Cost
7 feet$330
8 feet$380
9 feet$420

Naturally, you’ll need more materials for longer pool tables, and you’ll also have to spend more for labor because a longer pool table takes more time to refelt.

Labor Cost

Labor Cost

Aside from material costs, you’ll need to set aside at least $250 for refelting labor costs. 

The labor cost mainly depends on your agreement with the service provider. This is why it’s a good idea to ask for quotes from multiple service providers so that you can find the cheapest or most efficient one in your area.

However, if you’ve decided to refelt your pool table on your own, you don’t have to worry about this.

Refurbishing the Pool Table

If you want to refurbish your pool table while refelting it, then you’ll incur additional charges. Services like repainting, replacing the bumpers, and refinishing can cost you an additional $120 to $365, depending on what needs to be done.

Here is a table on the costs of additional pool table services.

Additional Pool Table ServicesAverage Cost
Bumper Replacement$120
Dismantling$200
Installation$300
Leveling$300
Refinishing$345
Moving & Assembly$345
Rail Replacement$365

Tips on How to Lessen the Costs of Refelting a Pool Table

Refelting a pool table isn’t exactly cheap. However, you can follow these smart tips to save money when refelting a pool table.

Get multiple quotes on refelting a pool table

Get multiple quotes on refelting a pool table

A simple way to save money when refelting your pool table is to ask for a quote from different pool table refelting service providers. Check all available companies in your area that can refelt your pool table for you.

You only really need to tell a pool table refelting service provider the size of your pool table and your preferred felt. 

Take note of the prices offered by each company, then pick the one you think offers the best service for their given price.

Settle for less expensive felt

Settle for less expensive felt

For a less expensive felt material, it is best to go with napped cloth. Napped cloth is the standard material for pool tables, so choosing this material isn’t a bad idea at all.

The only real issue with a napped cloth is that it requires more maintenance and replacement compared to worsted cloth, which is the better yet more expensive felt.

However, if your budget allows for worsted cloth, then we strongly suggest that you get it instead. Not only does its flatter weave allow billiard balls to roll more smoothly and faster, worsted cloth is also more durable compared to napped cloth.

If you are thinking of saving costs in the long run, then it’s best to just spend more for worsted felt.

Refelt the pool table by yourself (DIY)

Another thing that you can do to save money when refelting your pool table is to just refelt the pool table by yourself. As long as you have the know-how and the tools, you can do it on your own.

DIY Pool Table Refelting: Is It Possible?

DIY Pool Table Refelting Is It Possible

If you think you got the necessary DIY skills to refelt your pool table, then it is possible to do it yourself. 

The only real issue with doing it yourself is if you have access to the necessary tools required to refelt a pool table.

On a difficulty scale of 1–10 with 10 being the hardest, we find that refelting a pool table may be somewhere between 6 and 7.

If you’ve no prior experience refelting a pool table or have no tools at the ready, then it’s best to just leave it to the professionals. 

A professional doing the process can lead to lower costs compared to an inexperienced person. The pro won’t waste time and materials.

A Quick Guide on How to Refelt a Pool Table By Yourself

A Quick Guide on How to Refelt a Pool Table By Yourself

If you’ve decided to refelt a pool table by yourself, here’s a quick guide on how to refelt a pool table.

  1. First step is to unscrew the screws holding the rails of the pool table. These screws can be found underneath the pool table.
  1. Carefully remove the old felt from the pool table. Take care not to pull it off too hard to prevent it from tearing and making the process longer.
  1. Scrape off the old glue stuck on the table, or if the old felt was stapled, make sure no staples are left on the table.
  1. Next, you’ll need to close the seams again using beeswax.
  1. Now comes the installation of your new pool table felt. This process can be done by stapling or gluing your new felt to the table.
  1. Make sure that the new felt is stretched to avoid the creation of folds on the pool table. Folds and creases can ruin a pool game, as they can prevent the pool balls from rolling freely on the table.
  1. After you’ve installed the new pool table felt, you can now once again screw the rails back into their places.

FAQs on Pool Table Refelting

Here are some commonly asked questions about pool table refelting which may help you.

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