How much is it to recover a pool table?

Playing pool is a fun way to unwind with friends on a Friday night, but after endless hours of use, your pool table's felt takes a beating. So how much does it cost to recover a pool table in the UK? You can expect to pay anywhere from £155 to £530 for this service. 

Several factors influence pool table recovering costs, such as your preferred felt colour or type. It can be difficult to know where to start when calculating these expenses, but fear not! This article will provide you with all the details you need.

Pool table recovering costs

There are two kinds of pool tables that may be familiar to you, British and American pool tables. The primary difference between the two is that an American table is larger than a British table. British tables are usually made of 6 to 7 ft in length. This is usually a good choice if your table is placed inside your house. This is also to give enough space for you to go around. On the other hand, American tables usually range from 8 to 9 ft.

The average cost to recover a British pool table ranges from £155 to £380. At the same time, an American pool table costs £260 to as much as £530. If you bought a felt replacement, you could hire somebody to do the labour for you with a labour cost of £150 to £300.

The rate in recovering a pool table usually includes the removal of old cloth and fitting and marking up required lines and spots in your new cloth. Minor touch-ups like cracks and chips and levelling of tables may incur additional costs depending on its complexity.

Here are sample pool table recovering costs for a British table:

Woollen pool cloth vs worsted pool cloth

Choosing the right table pool cloth is important when having your pool table recovered. The two main types of pool table cloth are woollen pool cloth and worsted pool cloth.

A woollen pool cloth has a velvety texture, with fibres napped in a single direction. This is the most regular felt used for pool tables. This cloth needs more maintenance than a worsted cloth as it requires more brushing. If you are wondering how this cloth would affect your game, it usually gives a slower speed to the ball and allows curving the balls for experienced players. A woollen pool cloth starts at £135 to £225.

Worsted cloth is weaved in worsted style, making it smoother and finer than the woollen pool cloth. The cloth is comparable to the texture of cotton. It reduces friction resulting in smoother and quicker movement of the balls. This cloth holds a higher quality and gives better plays. A worsted cloth starts at £200 and can go higher to £300.

Cloth brands such as Eddit Charlton, Hainsworth, Matrix, and Strachan are the most popular and known for their quality and durability. Check these brands to identify what's best for you and your budget.

Cloth colour

The regular felt colours used without extra cost are green, blue, red and burgundy. You will find that if you want a felt colour other than the four mentioned, you may pay an additional cost of £100 to £130.

Tips on how to take care of your pool table

Now that you have recovered your pool table, maintaining it is your next step. You don't want to have it recovered every month or so. Here are a few tips in cleaning your pool table to help you perform best and help it live longer: 

• Use a brush that is designed to gently clean your felt. Keep in mind to slightly brush in one direction.
• Vacuum the pockets. A helpful tip is to brush the dust in the pocket and vacuum them together. 
• If you spilt liquid on your table, never rub it with a cloth. Instead, use a clean, dry towel and lightly damp it on the area to absorb the liquid. 
• If there is any stain, you may use a mixture of water and vinegar, pour it over the area, and dampen the towel until it soaks up the liquid.
• Clean the wooden part of your table using a regular cloth. Wipe thoroughly and use wood polish to keep it nice and shiny.
• Clean the pool balls using a traditional cloth to remove dust and any residue.
• You may opt to place a small table near your pool table so your friends can place their drinks in that area instead. This way, you can avoid spills and stains that are difficult to remove.

How do I know if it’s time to book a pool table recovering?

If you are unsure if you already need a pool table recovering, here are a few things to observe: 

• If your felt looks old and ragged due to the normal wear and tear, it's probably time to recover. A minor defect in the felt will affect your game. Make sure to cover your pool table if not in use to avoid dirt accumulation, spills and scratches.
• Check the texture of the surface and see if you start seeing lint.
• If you are tired of seeing the colour of your felt, then you may opt to change it. Choosing a colour outside green, blue, red, and burgundy may have extra charges.
• The usual quality of felt decreases after five years. If you've been using your pool table for more than five years, it is time to do a quality check and see the signs listed above.

How do I find a professional to do pool table recovering?

Finding a professional to do the labour is easy. Once you post a task on Airtasker, nearby specialists will make offers to do the job. Their profiles may contain their portfolio, which can help you decide who to hire. You may also inquire with all-around labourers that specialize in installing fitness equipment as they may include pool table recovering in their list. It is vital that businesses that provide service are registered. You may check the UK government website for licencing concerns. A final reminder to check if there is any warranty, so you won't have to worry if some things don't go as you wanted.

If looking for a professional to do pool table recovering is causing unnecessary stress, we got you! Airtasker can help you find somebody to do quality work that is within your budget.