Exhibition Stand
Costs & Pricing.
Clear, honest pricing for modular exhibition stands in the UK — from shell scheme hire packages to full island booth builds. No hidden fees, no contractor mark-ups. You're reading this from the manufacturer.
Stand Sizes &
What They Cost.
Prices vary primarily by stand size, type (shell scheme vs space-only vs island), and whether you're hiring or buying. Our modular exhibition stands are available in every format. Not sure which type fits your brief? Read our shell scheme vs space only guide →
- 2×2m or 3×2m shell scheme plot
- Fabric backwall graphic
- Branded counter
- LED spotlighting
- Build and breakdown
- Shell scheme upgrades →
- 3×3m to 6×3m space-only plot
- Full T3 aluminium structure
- SEG fabric graphics all faces
- Meeting counter + furniture
- Build, install and breakdown
- Custom stands →
- 6×6m+ 360° island booth
- Full T3 framework + SEG fabric
- Meeting pod or enclosed space
- Integrated lighting plan
- Full turnkey service
- Island stands →
* Prices shown are indicative guides for T3 Xtra hire packages. Final pricing depends on show venue, logistics distance and specific design requirements. Contact us for an exact 24hr quote →
What Does
My Stand Cost?
"What affects cost" is useful — but most people really want a number for their stand. Here are real-world ballpark costs for the most common stand sizes and formats, so you can place yourself on the scale before you even ask for a quote.
| Stand | Type | Approx Cost | Typical For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3×2 Shell Scheme | Hire | £1,000–£1,500 | First-time exhibitors, tight budgets |
| 3×3 Space Only | Hire | £3,100–£5,000 | Regular exhibitors wanting more impact |
| 6×3 Modular Stand | Purchase | £5,000–£8,000 | Brands exhibiting several times a year |
| 6×6 Island Stand | Hire | £6,250–£12,000+ | 360° presence, hosting, premium brands |
| 6×6 Island Stand | Purchase | from £19,000 | Frequent exhibitors investing for reuse |
Indicative ranges — your exact figure depends on graphics area, lighting, furniture and venue. The fastest way to a real number is a free 24-hour quote →
Which Option
Costs Less?
For most exhibitors, the choice between hiring and buying comes down to how many shows you do per year. Read our full hire vs buying guide for the complete breakdown.
Hire — T3 Xtra
Includes design, production, build, install, breakdown and storage. Different stand sizes per show. Graphics updated between events.
Exhibition Stand Hire →Buy Your Own T3
Full T3 structure + graphics. Buy a modular exhibition stand direct from the manufacturer — use whenever you want, expand or reconfigure at any time. No reseller margin. Read the cost comparison → Or read our hire vs buying guide →
Get a Purchase Quote →The ROI of Modular
Over Five Shows.
The single biggest cost decision isn't the price of one stand — it's whether you pay for a stand once or pay for it every time. This is where modular wins decisively, and it's worth seeing in plain numbers.
The one-paragraph version: a £7,500 modular stand reused across five shows works out at roughly £1,500 per event once graphics are refreshed. A £20,000 bespoke stand rebuilt five times costs around £100,000. Same five shows. A difference of roughly £85,000.
| Across 5 Shows | T3 Modular (buy once) | Bespoke (rebuilt each time) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build | £7,500 (one-off) | £20,000 |
| Each further show | ~£1,500 (graphics only) | ~£20,000 (full rebuild) |
| Reused / reconfigured | Yes — indefinitely | No — scrapped each time |
| 5-show total | ≈ £13,500 | ≈ £100,000 |
Illustrative figures to show the principle. Even allowing for graphics, transport and storage, a reusable stand is dramatically cheaper across a show programme — which is the whole reason modular exhibition stands exist. See the detail in our modular vs custom comparison →
What Affects
The Price?
Exhibition stand costs are driven by a relatively small number of factors. Understanding them puts you in control of the budget.
Stand Size
The biggest single cost driver. More floor area = more structure, more graphics, more installation time. Think carefully about how much space you genuinely need. A shell scheme upgrade is often the most cost-effective first step.
Graphics Complexity
SEG fabric graphics are priced by square metre of printed area. A basic single-face backwall is far cheaper than a fully branded 360° island stand. Backlit graphics add cost but dramatically increase visual impact.
Show Venue & Location
Installation costs vary by venue distance from our facilities. ExCeL London, NEC Birmingham and BDC Islington are all low-cost to serve. Edinburgh and Glasgow add modest logistics costs.
Hire vs Buy
Hire includes everything per show. Buying outright has a higher upfront cost but lower total cost of ownership — typically breaking even within 3–4 events. See our hire vs buying guide →
Build vs Self-Build
T3 is tool-free and can be self-assembled in 2–4 hours with a short training session. If you want us to build and install for you, that's included in the hire price.
Who You Buy From
Buying through a stand contractor adds a mark-up. T3 Systems is the manufacturer — when you buy or hire from us, you're not paying a reseller margin. Our eco-friendly exhibition stands also reduce long-term costs through reuse. Read how manufacturer-direct pricing works on our exhibition stand contractor page →
What T3 Xtra
Actually Includes.
3D Design
Custom 3D drawing delivered within 24hrs — included, no extra charge. Use our brief guide to get the best first design.
Build & Install
Full installation by our team at your venue before you arrive — at any UK venue.
Breakdown
We return after the show to dismantle and remove everything. No skip hire, no single-use waste.
Storage
We store your structure between shows — no storage fees. This is how a reusable exhibition stand pays for itself.
Venue Parking
Show venue parking for our installation team is billed at cost.
Contractor Badges
Some shows charge for contractor access passes — billed at cost.
The Costs Most
Exhibitors Forget.
The stand is rarely the only line on the invoice. Most of the costs below aren't T3 charges — they're show and venue costs that catch first-time and even experienced exhibitors out. With T3 hire, design, build, install, breakdown and storage are already in your price, so here's what to budget for on top so there are no surprises.
Floor Space
Paid directly to the show organiser, priced per square metre — often your single biggest cost.
Electrics
Power supply, sockets and connection are ordered from the venue, not included in space.
Rigging
Hanging banners or overhead signage usually means a separate venue rigging charge.
Internet / Wi-Fi
Reliable wired internet for demos or payments is almost always an extra from the venue.
Furniture
Seating, stools and display furniture if not bundled into your stand package.
Lead Scanners
Badge/lead-capture devices are typically hired from the organiser per show.
Contractor Passes
Some shows charge for installer access badges during build-up and breakdown.
Storage & Logistics
Transport and between-show storage — included with T3, a real cost with one-off builds.
Travel & Stand Staff
Team travel, accommodation and time on-stand — easy to forget at budgeting stage.
This is exactly why manufacturer-direct matters: the fewer margins and surprise extras in your stand line, the more budget you keep for the show costs you can't avoid. Want a single, all-in figure with nothing hidden? Ask for an itemised 24-hour quote →
Stand Types &
What They Cost.
Different stand formats come with different cost profiles. Click through to each format page for detailed pricing and examples.
Shell Scheme Upgrades
From ~£1k · most cost-effective start.
Modular Exhibition Stands
Tool-free · reusable · buy once.
Custom Exhibition Stands
From £3.1k · bespoke design.
Island Exhibition Stands
From £6.25k · 360° presence.
Backlit Exhibition Stands
T3 Wandlight · LED · high impact.
Exhibition Stand Hire
T3Xtra · no capital spend.
Eco-Friendly Exhibition Stands
Lower total cost · zero waste.
Bespoke Exhibition Stands
Full bespoke frame · any shape.
Cost Guides.
Written by the Manufacturer.
How Much Does a Stand Cost?
The complete UK & Europe cost guide.
The Hidden Costs of Exhibiting
What to budget for beyond the stand.
Exhibition Budget Guide
How much to spend, with example budgets.
Shell Scheme Costs
What it costs to dress a shell scheme.
Hire vs Buying a Stand
Which costs less over 3 years?
Modular vs Custom Stands
Full cost comparison.
Shell Scheme vs Space Only
Which format is right for your budget?
How to Brief Your Designer
Control costs from the brief stage.
Exhibition Stand
Cost FAQs.
How much does an exhibition stand cost in the UK?
Why are your prices lower than other stand contractors?
Is a 24-hour quote really free?
What's the minimum spend?
Is it cheaper to hire or buy an exhibition stand?
What hidden costs should I budget for at a show?
Is a modular stand cheaper than bespoke over several shows?
Can you beat a competitor's quote?
Do you offer payment terms?
About T3 Display Systems — Tecna Display Ltd
T3 Display Systems is the trading name of Tecna Display Ltd, a UK exhibition stand manufacturer founded in Harlow, Essex in 1981 by Jonathan Evitt. T3 is the original inventor, patent holder and sole manufacturer of the T3 Twist & Lock modular display system. Pricing is manufacturer-direct — no agents, no reseller margin. Two Queen's Awards for Enterprise. 30+ granted patents. 25,000+ displays built globally.
UK manufacturing from Harlow, Essex. EU production from Trappes, Île-de-France, France. Free 3D design and itemised quote within 24 business hours.
Get Your Exact Cost.
No Obligation. Transparent Pricing.
Tell us your show, your stand size and your brief. T3's team returns a complete 3D design and itemised quote within 24 business hours — free, no obligation, manufacturer direct from Harlow, Essex.