Dining Table Delivery: How Do You Move a Table Without a Scratch?
A dining table is often the widest single piece of furniture in the house, and its top is the first thing guests see. Smart Taurus connects you with verified couriers who move tables for a living — legs off, top protected, carried flat or on edge as the material demands.
Why is a dining table harder to deliver than other furniture?
The difficulty comes from geometry and finish. A six-seater top can be 180cm long and 100cm wide, which rules out most car boots and makes doorways, hall corners and stairwells tight even for a van crew. Unlike a sofa, which forgives a knock, a polished, veneered or lacquered top shows every scuff — so the whole job revolves around protecting one large, visible surface while manoeuvring it through spaces it barely fits.
How much does dining table delivery cost?
Most dining table moves fall within uShip's published furniture averages of $150–$600, and Angi's 2026 figures put local furniture shipping at $75–$250 with long-distance runs at $300–$600. Where your quote lands depends on:
- Size and seating — a four-seater costs less to move than a ten-seat banquet table.
- Top material — marble and glass need extra crew, boards and edge protection.
- Distance — short hops price per mile far higher than long routes.
- Access — stairs, lifts and narrow period doorways add time.
- Backloads — transporters filling spare van space on an existing route frequently quote below dedicated-hire rates.
Should the legs come off before transport?
In most cases, yes — legs act as levers in transit, and a bump that would be harmless to a wrapped top can crack a fixed leg joint. Most modern tables use captive bolts or corner brackets that undo in minutes with an Allen key or spanner; older mortise-and-tenon frames should stay assembled and travel as a unit instead. Bag the fixings, tape the bag to a leg (never to the finished top), and photograph the underside before dismantling so reassembly is straightforward. Many couriers on Smart Taurus will do the dismantling themselves if you mention it in the job post.
How are glass and marble tops moved safely?
Glass travels on its edge, like a mirror — carried flat, its own weight can flex and shatter it over a pothole. Couriers sandwich the pane between blankets and board, strap it against the van wall, and never stack anything on it. Marble and other stone tops are a different challenge: a 200cm slab can weigh 100–150kg, and stone is strong in compression but brittle in bending, so it is also transported vertically, supported along its full length. If your table is stone, say so in the listing — it changes the crew size and the kit the transporter brings.
What about extending tables?
Extending mechanisms — butterfly leaves, sliding runners, drop-in panels — are the part most often damaged. Loose leaves should come out and travel wrapped separately, and the runners should be locked or stretch-wrapped over a blanket so they cannot slide open mid-journey. Never run tape directly across a lacquered surface; it can lift the finish when peeled.
How dining table delivery works on Smart Taurus
- Post the job free — add the table's length, width, top material, whether the legs detach, photos and both postcodes.
- Receive quotes — verified transporters, many already driving your route, reply with prices and profiles you can compare.
- Book, track and pay in-app — follow the van in real time and pay securely through Stripe when the job is arranged.
Bought the table second-hand? Our eBay and marketplace delivery service covers collections from private sellers, and for period or high-value pieces see antiques delivery.
How should I prepare my table for collection?
- Clear and clean the top — grit under a blanket acts like sandpaper.
- Remove leaves and, where practical, the legs; keep all fixings in one labelled bag.
- Measure the tightest point of the route out (door frames, stair turns) and add it to the job notes.
- Photograph the table from all sides before collection as a condition record.
- Leave the wrapping to the courier unless agreed otherwise — blankets and stretch wrap are standard kit.
For broader jobs — moving a whole dining set alongside other items — compare our general furniture delivery page, and read the cheapest way to ship furniture guide before you book.