UK exhibition stands typically run from £350 for a shell scheme upgrade to £100,000+ for a large custom build. Where you land depends on whether you choose a shell scheme upgrade, a modular hire stand, or a full custom build. Here's what actually drives the price, with real numbers.
Shell Scheme Upgrade — From £350
If your booth already comes with a contractor-provided shell scheme frame, an upgrade with graphics, counter, lighting and flooring starts from £350.
Modular Hire Stands — From £4,400
Redblu's modular hire stands are priced by size, fully kitted: structure, full print graphics, carpet, installation and dismantling included. A 4×3 (12m²) stand runs £4,400–£6,600, a 5×4 (20m²) runs £4,695–£8,115, and a 6×4 (24m²) runs £4,909–£8,449. You can see exact pricing for your size at our Stand Selector.
Island Stands and Custom Builds — From £10,000
Larger island stands (36m²+) start from £10,000 and are quoted individually. Fully custom builds — double-decker structures, extensive AV integration, or bespoke island stands at flagship venues — range from £10,000 to £100,000+ depending on scale and complexity. Pricing here is genuinely bespoke, which is why we quote rather than publish a fixed table for this tier.
What Affects Cost Most
Four things move the number more than anything else: stand size (square metreage is the biggest single driver), whether you choose shell scheme dressing, package or full custom build, how much AV and interactive tech you want integrated, and turnaround time — rush jobs cost more.
The Costs People Forget to Budget For
The stand itself isn't the whole bill. Venue-mandatory charges (electrical connection, often £200–£800; cleaning levies; carpet if not included) are billed separately by the organiser, not your stand company. Add furniture hire if you need more than the standard package, internet packages (notoriously expensive at most UK venues), and staff travel and accommodation for multi-day shows.
Getting an Accurate Quote
To get a real number quickly, have ready: your show name and stand space dimensions, shell scheme or space-only, your rough objectives, and a genuine budget range — an honest budget gets you a faster, better-fitted design than an artificially low number that gets revised twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an exhibition stand cost in the UK?
From £350 for a shell scheme upgrade, £4,400–£8,449 for a modular hire stand depending on size, and £10,000 to £100,000+ for island stands and full custom builds. See our exact size-by-size pricing on the exhibition stand hire page.
What's included in a hire stand price?
Structure, full print graphics, carpet, a counter, a TV and mount, bar furniture, and two-man installation and dismantling — no hidden extras.
What costs are separate from the stand price?
The exhibition space itself (paid to the show organiser), venue electrical connection, cleaning levies, and any extra furniture, internet or AV beyond what's included.
Is it cheaper to hire or buy an exhibition stand?
For most exhibitors showing 1–4 times a year, hiring is cheaper once storage, maintenance and graphics refresh costs are factored in. See our full hire vs buy breakdown.
Does Redblu offer a fixed-price stand option instead of a custom quote?
Yes — our fixed-price package stands, all priced upfront in the Stand Selector, are an alternative to a bespoke quoted build. You see the complete price upfront rather than waiting on an individual quote, which suits exhibitors who want budget certainty early; island stands and fully custom builds are still quoted individually.
Want an accurate number for your show? Get a free quote or try the instant Stand Selector.
