We are the NEC's local stand builder, 20 minutes up the road in Tamworth

Our workshop is in Tamworth, Staffordshire, about 20 minutes from the NEC Birmingham. That short run changes how a build feels on site.

• Short transport leg. Less time on the road, fewer things to go wrong between the workshop and your hall.
• People, not subcontractors. Our carpenters, electricians and fabricators are permanently employed by us, so the team that makes your stand is the team that installs it.
• Easy to reach during build-up. If something needs adjusting on site, the workshop is close enough to help.

The NEC is our home venue, but it is not the only one. We also work regularly at the ICC and Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, Coventry Building Society Arena, ExCeL London, Olympia London, Harrogate, and on international shows.

Most exhibitors want a number before they want a mood board. Here is how a custom contract usually splits.

• Fabrication and build: typically around half of any contract value. From £4,000 at the small end, £8,000 to £20,000 mid-range, up to £50,000 to £60,000 on large contracts.
• Graphics and print: £3,000 to £8,000 mid-range. Graphics-led builds can run £12,000 to £18,000.
• Electrics and lighting: £1,200 to £5,000, up to £6,000 on larger builds.
• Transport and logistics: £600 to £2,000.
• Installation: £2,000 to £5,000 depending on contract size.
• Breakdown: £1,500 to £4,000. De-rigging takes nearly as much labour as build-up, so it is a real line, not a rounding error.

A typical mid-range custom build totals £16,000 to £44,000. Storage is quoted separately. Your quote will be itemised the same way, so you can see exactly what you are paying for and where you could flex.

UK exhibiting has three distinct stand categories and they are often muddled in enquiries. They are not the same thing.

Modular is off-the-shelf systems: pole and panel, pop-ups, aluminium frames with infill panels. Pre-manufactured to standard sizes at a standard height of about 2.5m. It can be self-built and it suits exhibitors doing five or more shows a year on a modest budget.

Hybrid is a mixture of modular and custom build, usually system light boxes combined with purpose-built elements. It is much less common now.

Custom build is designed and made from scratch for one brand and one space, with no system limits on height, shape or finish.

We explored modular systems many times over the years and invested in the kit. Clients consistently came back asking for more personalisation, greater height and shape, and a more dynamic presence. So we build custom only. We do not sell modular or hybrid stands as a product line, though we will use system components such as light boxes inside a custom build where they are genuinely the right answer.

1. Tell us the basics. Show, hall, stand number, space size, whether it is an island, corner or peninsula, and roughly what you want visitors to do on the stand.
2. Design and 3D visuals. Free of charge for qualifying enquiries, so you can see the stand and share it internally before committing.
3. A clear, itemised quote. Build, graphics, electrics, transport, installation and breakdown listed separately.
4. Approvals. We handle the design submission and CDM declaration in good time.
5. Build in Tamworth. Made by our own carpenters, electricians and fabricators.
6. On site at the NEC. Transport, installation, a stand that works for the whole show, then breakdown. Storage afterwards if you want to reuse elements next time.