Exhibition stand cost in the UK: real figures for custom builds

The short answer on cost

A typical mid-range custom exhibition stand in the UK totals 16,000 to 44,000 GBP. Small custom projects start lower. Large contracts run higher.

The single biggest line is fabrication and build, which is typically around half of any contract value. Everything else, graphics, electrics, transport, installation and breakdown, makes up the other half.

We build custom stands only, for spaces from 20 square metres up to 100 square metres. Design and 3D visuals are free of charge for qualifying enquiries, so you can see the stand and the numbers before you commit.

Cost breakdown, line by line

These are the ranges we work to on real UK projects.

Fabrication and build: from 4,000 GBP at the small end, 8,000 to 20,000 GBP mid-range, up to 50,000 to 60,000 GBP on large contracts. Roughly half of the contract value.
Graphics and print: 3,000 to 8,000 GBP mid-range. A graphics-led build, where large format print does most of the talking, can run 12,000 to 18,000 GBP.
Electrics and lighting: 1,200 to 5,000 GBP, up to 6,000 GBP on larger builds.
Transport and logistics: 600 to 2,000 GBP.
Installation: 2,000 to 5,000 GBP depending on contract size.
Breakdown: 1,500 to 4,000 GBP. De-rigging takes nearly as much labour as build-up, which surprises a lot of first-time exhibitors.
Storage: quoted separately, once we know what is worth keeping for the next show.

Add them up and you land inside that 16,000 to 44,000 GBP band for most mid-range custom stands.

Parker Knoll

“This experienced and talented team of craftsmen do a first class job, and I would recommend them without hesitation.”

Donna Bellingham, Parker Knoll

What pushes a stand up or down the range

Two stands of the same floor size can be thousands apart. The drivers are practical, not mysterious.

Floor area and open sides. A 100 square metre island stand needs to work from every angle. A 20 square metre shell space does not.
Height and structure. Towers, overhead banners, double-height features and anything hanging all add engineering and labour.
Materials and finish. Sprayed timber, laminates, real veneers and machined detail cost more than plain panels, and they photograph better.
Graphics volume. Full wall wraps and backlit panels sit at the top of the print range. Targeted panels sit at the bottom.
Lighting. Ambient wash lighting is modest. Backlit light boxes, product spots and integrated LED push the electrics line up.
Working parts. Storerooms, meeting rooms, coffee bars, AV, screens and product mounts all need building and wiring.
Reuse. If we store and re-skin an existing build, the fabrication line drops sharply on show two and beyond.

Modular, hybrid and custom: three different things

UK exhibitors are quoted three categories, and they are often confused with each other.

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

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.

T2 do not sell modular or hybrid stands as a product line. We have explored modular systems many times over the years and invested in the kit. Clients consistently wanted more personalisation, greater height and shape, and a more dynamic presence. We do use system components, such as light boxes, inside a custom build where they are genuinely the right answer.

What is included when we quote

Our quotes are full service, so there is no scramble for extra suppliers three weeks out.

Design and 3D visuals, free of charge for qualifying enquiries
Fabrication and build by our permanent in-house team of carpenters, electricians and fabricators
Graphics and print
Electrics and lighting
Transport to venue
Installation on site
Breakdown and de-rig
Storage, quoted separately

Having the trades in house matters for cost control. Nothing is marked up through a chain of subcontractors, and if something changes late, the people who made it are the people who fix it. T2 Display is an ESSA member and has been designing and building bespoke stands since 2001.

Budget timing: book two months out

Cost and timing are linked. Rushed jobs cost more, and some jobs simply cannot be rushed at all.

Design approval and the CDM declaration can take up to six weeks. So a stand builder should ideally be appointed at least two months before the show. Finished artwork is needed four weeks before.

If you are budgeting now for a show later in the year, the sensible order is: confirm your space size, get a design and visual, agree the build spec, then lock the number. That way the quote reflects the stand you actually want, not a placeholder.

Where we build, and who we build for

We are based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, about 20 minutes from the NEC Birmingham. The NEC is our home venue, which keeps transport and installation costs sensible for Midlands shows.

We also regularly work at the ICC and Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, Coventry Building Society Arena, ExCeL London, Olympia London and Harrogate, plus international shows.

Real clients include Soudal, Pinarello, Dentally, Journeo, Software of Excellence and Horiba Mira. We have designed and built Lely's key UK event stand at the NEC for six consecutive years, and we built the BSA Guns stand in Hall 6 at The Great British Shooting Show, NEC Birmingham.

More than 75% of our work comes from existing clients. For a business selling a considered purchase, that is the number we are most proud of.

Common questions

Your questions, answered.

How much does an exhibition stand cost in the UK?

A typical mid-range custom exhibition stand totals 16,000 to 44,000 GBP. Fabrication and build is usually around half of that, with graphics, electrics, transport, installation and breakdown making up the rest. Small custom builds start lower and large contracts can see fabrication alone reach 50,000 to 60,000 GBP.

What is the cheapest custom stand you will build?

At the small end, fabrication and build starts from around 4,000 GBP, with the other elements added on top. We build custom stands for spaces from 20 square metres up to 100 square metres, so that is the sensible starting point for an enquiry.

Do you charge for design and 3D visuals?

No. Design and 3D visuals are free of charge for qualifying enquiries. You see the stand rendered in 3D and a clear cost breakdown before you commit to anything.

Why is breakdown so expensive?

Because de-rigging takes nearly as much labour as build-up. Breakdown typically runs 1,500 to 4,000 GBP. It is a real cost that some quotes hide, so we show it as its own line.

Should I choose modular instead to save money?

Modular is off-the-shelf system kit, pre-manufactured to standard sizes at a standard height of about 2.5m, and it suits exhibitors doing five or more shows a year on a modest budget. It can be self-built. T2 do not sell modular or hybrid stands as a product line. We build custom, designed from scratch for one brand and one space.

How far ahead do I need to book?

Ideally at least two months before the show, because design approval and the CDM declaration can take up to six weeks. Finished artwork is needed four weeks before the show.

Can I reuse the stand at the next show?

Often, yes. We offer storage, quoted separately, and a stored build can be re-skinned with new graphics for the next event, which cuts the fabrication line considerably.

Let's work together

Tell us about your show and your stand space. One project lead will work with you from the first sketch to the final dismantle, and we are always happy to sign an NDA.

In-house design & build since 2001 · ESSA member · 75% of clients come back

Start a Project Call 024 7639 8922