Costs and pricing
Part of How much does an exhibition stand cost per square metre in the UK?
How much does an exhibition stand cost per square metre in the UK?
Indicative UK exhibition stand cost per square metre for shell scheme, modular and custom builds, plus what pushes quotes up and how to compare them.
What to take away
- UK contractors typically quote about £250 to £450 per square metre to dress shell scheme space to a basic standard.
- Modular systems sit between £500 and £900 per square metre, because frames and panels are re-usable across several shows.
- Custom builds usually start near £1,000 per square metre and rise past £2,500 for two-storey or feature-heavy designs.
- Space rental, electrical connections and rigging are billed separately, so treat them as distinct lines.
Why the figure varies so much
Two stands with the same footprint can differ in price by a factor of five. Cost per square metre is a shorthand UK contractors use once the build type, height and services are fixed. No trade body publishes a standard rate card.
Shell scheme sits at the bottom of the range. The organiser supplies the walls, carpet and fascia, so you are buying graphics, furniture, lighting and stand labour rather than fabrication.
Modular sits in the middle. Frames and printed panels are re-usable, which spreads the capital cost across several shows, but the first build still carries design and tooling charges. Our comparison of modular vs custom exhibition stands shows where the break-even sits by number of shows.
Custom builds top the range because every panel is made for the stand. Height drives the cost fastest, and ceiling features or two-storey structures multiply both labour and structural paperwork.
Indicative UK rates by stand type
| Stand type | Indicative band per m2 | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme, dressed | £250 to £450 | Graphics, furniture, lighting, flooring |
| Modular system | £500 to £900 | Re-usable frames, printed panels, storage |
| Custom build, single storey | £1,000 to £1,600 | Bespoke joinery, feature lighting, AV |
| Custom build, two storey | £1,800 to £2,500+ | Stairs, structural sign-off, rigging |
These bands are the exhibition stand cost per square metre UK contractors quote for typical shows, not an audited price index. Ask for a written, itemised quote so every supplier prices the same scope.
What moves the quote up or down
- Build window. Overnight, weekend and bank holiday work attracts premium labour rates at most UK venues.
- Venue rules. Height limits, rigging restrictions and approved-contractor lists all change the labour plan. Work at height and temporary structures on the show floor fall under construction safety duties, and the HSE construction guidance sets out what your contractor must plan for.
- Lead time. A brief confirmed eight weeks out usually costs less than one confirmed three weeks out, because the build absorbs fewer overtime hours.
- Height and structure. Anything above 4m, plus platforms and suspended elements, needs structural checks and sign-off before build day.
- Materials and inflation. Print, metal and timber costs follow the wider economy. The ONS inflation and price indices, published monthly, are the quickest way to test a supplier's claim that prices jumped this year.
- VAT status. Most stand build and space rental invoices are standard-rated. Check GOV.UK's VAT guidance before comparing a VAT-registered quote with one from a supplier that is not registered.
Worked example: a 3m by 3m shell scheme stand
A 3m by 3m space gives 9 square metres. Using the mid-point of the shell scheme band above, dressing comes to:
Worked example: 3m by 3m shell scheme
- 9 m2 | Total stand footprint
- £3,150 | Dressing at £350 per m2
- £4,000 | Subtotal before VAT
- £4,800 | Total
The venue bills space rental on a separate contract, so add that as its own line. If you only plan one show, our exhibition stand hire vs purchase comparison sets out deposit, damage and reuse terms.
Comparing quotes on the same basis
A per square metre figure only means something once the scope is identical. Ask each contractor to price the same footprint, height, floor covering and electrical load. If one quote excludes rigging or waste removal, the cheapest headline number is often the most expensive stand.
Split every quote into design fees, build and graphics, and on-site services. That breakdown shows where a supplier is trading margin for scope, and it gives you a fair basis for negotiation.
Common questions
Does the cost per square metre include the space?
No. Venue space rental is contracted separately from the build, and at most UK shows it carries its own payment schedule and service charges.
Why is a custom build so much dearer per square metre?
Every panel is fabricated, finished and often scrapped after the show, and two-storey or suspended elements add structural sign-off. Re-usable kits spread those costs over several events.
Should I compare quotes on a per square metre basis?
Use it as a sanity check, not a decision tool. Convert each quote into a total cost for the show, then divide by square metres to see which supplier is out of line.
How much should I hold back for graphics and AV?
Treat both as separate line items. Graphics are usually the largest single extra, and AV hire is quoted per screen or per day, so ask for both separately.
