Question on cost of table transfer and setup

Dean_H

Dean_H

luv the small modalities
Silver Member
I would like to get an estimated ballpark figure. I would like to know how much to transfer, install/set up a carom billiard table ( 10ft.) ? The table is located in San Bernardino California and is already in pieces, and I live in Palm Desert California, about an hour away on the freeway. I would also like to purchase and have put on Simonis 300 rapide cloth.


Thanks
 
dave sutton said:
Depends on a few other things. Is it upstairs or down. Is it going up stairs or down?then do u have all pieces. I would bank on 500$ range
Click to expand...

The cloth alone is almost $400
Your bank is going to be off by quite a bit.
 
Last edited:
I agree, more like 1000 if you want a good job and the slate is like 2 inches thick. You need to spell out everything to get an accurate quote.
 
Some more info:


Table is an old Brunswick of some kind with inlays.

The slate is not two inches thick like the modern tables from Europe, I did not measure but I think it is either an inch or an inch and a half thick.

Setup location is in a two car garage, on the first floor. Plenty of parking for a large vehicle outside adjacent to the Garage.
 
OTLB said:
I agree, more like 1000 if you want a good job and the slate is like 2 inches thick. You need to spell out everything to get an accurate quote.
Click to expand...

I hope he does not misspell anything.:grin::grin:
 
ok then the slate is 1.5 inches, now is the rubber good? no sense puttin on good cloth if the cushions are weak etc. Given that I would say move it yourself and just pay a man to complete the setup. Now your at 750 IMO
 
I was told by the owner of the table that he had the cushion profile ( not sure if this is the correct term) changed to accept European rubber. The owner said that the table mechanic Ernesto Dominguez did the rail work. It has the Euro rubber on it.

The reason the owner does not have the table setup in his Billiard hall now is one of the local players bought a used Verhoeven table and the Verhoeven is now set up where the old Brunswick used to occupy.
 
Dean_H said:
I was told by the owner of the table that he had the cushion profile ( not sure if this is the correct term) changed to accept European rubber. The owner said that the table mechanic Ernesto Dominguez did the rail work. It has the Euro rubber on it.

.
Click to expand...

Hope he didn't put artemis k66 on it. :rolleyes:

I'd agree you could save some $ by transporting the table yourself. Not that difficult to move a table already taken apart and only an hour away. Figure $400 for the cloth and if I had to guess for california probably somewhere between 350 - 500 for the setup by someone that knows what they're doing and no problem with the table.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the help everyone. I was clueless to the cost and needed help. I appreciate the quick responses.



I think the rubber is thirty something.
 
OTLB said:
ok then the slate is 1.5 inches, now is the rubber good? no sense puttin on good cloth if the cushions are weak etc. Given that I would say move it yourself and just pay a man to complete the setup. Now your at 750 IMO
Click to expand...

Sorry to "call you out" OTLB, but why in the world would you give someone this advice?

1. Why in the world would you want to cost a fellow mechanic a job (or at least part of a job)?

2. It's not as though the guy said "Hey, I'm working on a tight budget, what can I do to lower the expense?" The gentleman apparently appreciates quality over thrift, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned covering the table with Simonis 300.

3. If this gentleman is in over his head trying to heft 3pc 1.5 inch slate from a 10ft table and drops it, he's screwed. It's much less likely that damage will happen with someone who's experienced doing the move, and even if it does occur, they at least have insurance that will cover it.
 
QuickEdward said:
Sorry to "call you out" OTLB, but why in the world would you give someone this advice?

1. Why in the world would you want to cost a fellow mechanic a job (or at least part of a job)?

2. It's not as though the guy said "Hey, I'm working on a tight budget, what can I do to lower the expense?" The gentleman apparently appreciates quality over thrift, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned covering the table with Simonis 300.

3. If this gentleman is in over his head trying to heft 3pc 1.5 inch slate from a 10ft table and drops it, he's screwed. It's much less likely that damage will happen with someone who's experienced doing the move, and even if it does occur, they at least have insurance that will cover it.
Click to expand...

Not to agree or disagree but lets get real on the experience factor - moving pieces of a disassembled pool table is not rocket science especially when the move is just an hour away. If the table owner is capable of moving the table then it's his choice to do it himself and save some $ or include that requirement with the mechanic doing the setup work. Most people look to save some coin if they can.

Further - it's a carom table so the logical choices of cloth are limited with 300 preferred. Alternately 760 or GM can be used but we're talking a difference of about $75 to get the best.
 
anyone with common sense can throw an antique billiard table together and moving one thats taken apart is very easy IMO. If you think I'm too low, then suggest you quote a number other the critique me. Thats WHY I asked what kind of table, thickness of slate.

Call me out? the guy could call 5 dif places and get various quotes etc. END OF DAY REALITY!

From the beginning I have said that people who come in this forum other then mech's learn and become diy's from what has been said in all the threads. Your"calling out" doesn't make any sense to me as the real money lost is within the information contributed by all. You can single me out though as I think its very fair to make 350 setting up that particular billiard table as described. Actually would love a steady diet of that gravy work. NO corners to cut, pockets to fold and so on.

Maybe you think doing that job is hard but its not. Actually if I were close to that guy I would do it for less. Thats my opinion and others can say what they want. Thats a good wage for that job IMO> and FAIR


Many people have also explained how to move and transport tables in here, call them out.

Any mech in that area that thinks its worth more will probably be out of business for charging too much.

One of the problems is when people in business charge excessively high to do work. If other mech's in here don't agree with me that 350 is a more than fair price to be happy with for setting up a billiard table that is already on site please let me know. Really how many hours are you looking at to do the job. I get work all the time from customers who shop work and I just quote what I think is a fair price. As I said QE why don't you quote a number as you think its worth alot more. I would be interested as maybe I should relocate to make obsurd money for a job that is so easy.
 
Last edited:
OTLB,

I think you misunderstood my point.

I have no issue with the estimate you gave the gentleman.

My issue is this... The gentleman asked for a ballpark figure on transporting, setting up, and installing cloth on a billiard table. He didn't infer that he had a tight budget and was looking for a way to shave the cost.

Yes, a portion of transporting tables is nothing a trained monkey couldn't do. But that doesn't mean squat. This guy identified himself as someone's prospective customer. And you took it upon yourself to take away at least a portion of a job from another mechanic.

I could completely understand your suggestion if this person had made some statement indicating that he wanted to save money. But he didn't.

When someone calls YOU directly and says "can you give me a ballpark figure on transporting a disassembled table and setting it up with new cloth" do you give them an estimate/quote for the job they described? Or do you suggest that they transport the table themselves? Disassembly and transport of most tables is something that anyone with average intelligence, physical ability, and a pickup can accomplish. Do you suggest that everyone move their own tables? Or just other mechanics customers?
 
QuickEdward said:
OTLB,

I think you misunderstood my point.

I have no issue with the estimate you gave the gentleman.

My issue is this... The gentleman asked for a ballpark figure on transporting, setting up, and installing cloth on a billiard table. He didn't infer that he had a tight budget and was looking for a way to shave the cost.

Yes, a portion of transporting tables is nothing a trained monkey couldn't do. But that doesn't mean squat. This guy identified himself as someone's prospective customer. And you took it upon yourself to take away at least a portion of a job from another mechanic.

I could completely understand your suggestion if this person had made some statement indicating that he wanted to save money. But he didn't.

When someone calls YOU directly and says "can you give me a ballpark figure on transporting a disassembled table and setting it up with new cloth" do you give them an estimate/quote for the job they described? Or do you suggest that they transport the table themselves? Disassembly and transport of most tables is something that anyone with average intelligence, physical ability, and a pickup can accomplish. Do you suggest that everyone move their own tables? Or just other mechanics customers?
Click to expand...

example: I just sold an antique table and told the guy it would be much cheaper if he came and got the table himself. Yes I always try to help my customers save money. whether I tell them they can save a couple of bucks by helping me here or there or whatever.

For the most part I work alone. Am always happy to just go set the table up and if I can have the customers help I knock it off the bill. I have even had women move their own tables when they asked me that question. Thats how easy it is and you know it as well as everyone else.

Last week I went to do a GC, the table was a disaster. I told the guy it would be much better if we redid the entire table and that he could save alot of the money if he did things himself. He agreed.

One of the reasons I like people to move their own tables is that when they get it back to their home they can set it up to the frame and put the slate on in many cases which allows the table to acclimate and settle in a carpet if needed before I get there. Saves me hassles and makes a better job as they now appreciate more what I do. I don't value that part of the job as much as the actual set up, do you? a one hr trip

My prices for work are much lower for jobs and my customers greatly appreciate the efforts I make to save them money but yet still get the job done. Example: the same guys call you and you don't offer an option. 99% of the time if we both gave the same price I would get the job because at least I gave the person an opportunity to save money. They seldom actually do it but they do more then you think. I see many people that can't make it in this business, just another example of why they can't keep up.

When ANY guy calls me and says that they have a Billiard table like that yes I tell them that. IN fact, the last Verhoven I did was exactly the case and you know that is not an easy table to move is it. Guess what, the guy did it no problem and thats some heavy slate. Will give you his ph number and more since you question me.


In todays economy its always a good business practice to help your potential customers. Many times I suggest that they move the table they say no as this is what I expect. But when they say that they immediately realize that 'hey" that guy was trying to save me money, wow how unusual. You do business your way and I'll do mine.

At the end of the day, its not about anything else but money and that is what everyone understands.

Like in any sport or profession its all about the scorecard. How you score is your business and how I score is mine. You think I don't do what I say in here?

Been doing tables for 20 years now last 11 full time as I retired from MFG when I was 39. Thats right retired. I understand business more than most in this forum and not afraid to toot my horn as my good friend RKC does.

So have I made it clear, yes I always try to take care of my customers that way. If they call me and tell me they have a table thats apart, yes I always tell them they could do it and its not hard so they can save money.

Your not going to be in business a long time if you don't.

Whats your next issue?
 
Last edited:
If the table required disassembly I'd include that in the job quote. Since it is disassembled it's very reasonable to suggest a self-move for a cost savings as an option. Let's revisit the old ballpark and add $100-$150 to move the table on top of the cloth $400 and setup $350-$500 and arrive at a new ballpark between $850-$1050
 
OTLB said:
example: I just sold an antique table and told the guy it would be much cheaper if he came and got the table himself. Yes I always try to help my customers save money. whether I tell them they can save a couple of bucks by helping me here or there or whatever.

For the most part I work alone. Am always happy to just go set the table up and if I can have the customers help I knock it off the bill. I have even had women move their own tables when they asked me that question. Thats how easy it is and you know it as well as everyone else.

Last week I went to do a GC, the table was a disaster. I told the guy it would be much better if we redid the entire table and that he could save alot of the money if he did things himself. He agreed.

One of the reasons I like people to move their own tables is that when they get it back to their home they can set it up to the frame and put the slate on in many cases which allows the table to acclimate and settle in a carpet if needed before I get there. Saves me hassles and makes a better job as they now appreciate more what I do. I don't value that part of the job as much as the actual set up, do you? a one hr trip

My prices for work are much lower for jobs and my customers greatly appreciate the efforts I make to save them money but yet still get the job done. Example: the same guys call you and you don't offer an option. 99% of the time if we both gave the same price I would get the job because at least I gave the person an opportunity to save money. They seldom actually do it but they do more then you think. I see many people that can't make it in this business, just another example of why they can't keep up.

When ANY guy calls me and says that they have a Billiard table like that yes I tell them that. IN fact, the last Verhoven I did was exactly the case and you know that is not an easy table to move is it. Guess what, the guy did it no problem and thats some heavy slate. Will give you his ph number and more since you question me.


In todays economy its always a good business practice to help your potential customers. Many times I suggest that they move the table they say no as this is what I expect. But when they say that they immediately realize that 'hey" that guy was trying to save me money, wow how unusual. You do business your way and I'll do mine.

At the end of the day, its not about anything else but money and that is what everyone understands.

Like in any sport or profession its all about the scorecard. How you score is your business and how I score is mine. You think I don't do what I say in here?

Been doing tables for 20 years now last 11 full time as I retired from MFG when I was 39. Thats right retired. I understand business more than most in this forum and not afraid to toot my horn as my good friend RKC does.

So have I made it clear, yes I always try to take care of my customers that way. If they call me and tell me they have a table thats apart, yes I always tell them they could do it and its not hard so they can save money.

Your not going to be in business a long time if you don't.

Whats your next issue?
Click to expand...

John,

Your getting a little defensive, IMHO. I never suggest to the customer that they get involved in any aspect of the table service. Moving, packing,
transportation, disassembly, locating the table in the room, ect...... From my experience these are all jobs better left to a paid professional. However if the customer is on a tight budget and wishes to save some money, from my quote, it certainly better to get some of the job than none of the job.

I do work with a couple of young strong guy's who handle the bulk of the heavy work. In this economy it's often difficult to give them a full week of work. That being said, I prefer to discount my rate slightly (10%) and do the entire job. I've found it easier and more efficient if I control the entire job start to finish whenever possible.

Working completely alone, such as you do, it may be more efficient to have the customers help. For me, the less the customer is involved in the hands on part of the job, the better. JMHO.

Jay
 
OTLB said:
So have I made it clear, yes I always try to take care of my customers that way. If they call me and tell me they have a table thats apart, yes I always tell them they could do it and its not hard so they can save money.

Your not going to be in business a long time if you don't.
Click to expand...

We're just going to have to agree to disagree here.

Maybe since you're retired, your income as a table mechanic is only supplemental. But I support my family doing this.

In any service business one's job is to provide what the customer wants and needs. I think you're making a mistake by assuming that every customer wants or needs to save money by doing the "easy" stuff themselves. You're making this assumption without knowing - A. Does the customer really want to do manual labor? B. Is the customer physically able C. Does the customer have a vehicle to do this transport?

In making an unsolicited suggestion that the customer do part of this himself, you've made several value judgments about that person. When doing so you risk offending the customer.

There is a distinct effort to "legitimize" what we do by many in this forum. IMHO inviting a customer to "assist" you in doing the job isn't a very good way of accomplishing this. Let me ask you, if you're in a customer's home and you and he are lifting a piece of slate up to set it on the table and the customer trips, breaks his ankle and drops the slate, how's your insurance going to handle that?

I can't imagine calling a reputable electrician, auto mechanic, HVAC repairman, or any other service tech and having them suggest that I do part of the job myself unless I asked about that option up front.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top