Exhibition Stand Hire Cost: Rental Prices Explained
Stand hire is the fastest route to a professional presence, and the most commonly mis-priced. Here is what rental actually includes and what it costs.
Typical hire price bands
Rental prices assume a reusable modular frame with printed graphics, standard lighting and basic furniture, installed and dismantled.
- 9 sqm (3x3): £2,200–£5,500
- 18 sqm: £4,500–£11,000
- 36 sqm: £9,000–£22,000
- 60 sqm: £15,000–£38,000
- 100 sqm+: £26,000–£70,000
What is usually included — and what is not
- Included: frame hire, graphic print, standard LED lighting, basic furniture, install and dismantle
- Usually extra: flooring upgrade, AV screens, rigging, electrics and power distribution, storage, custom joinery, on-stand internet
- Always extra: space rental from the organiser, freight, staffing
When hire beats a custom build
Hire wins for one-off shows, for testing a new market, for tight lead times, and where storage and logistics between shows would be a burden. Custom wins when the stand is a brand asset appearing three or more times a year, when you need a specific spatial experience, or when a double-deck is required for meeting space.
Frequently asked questions
What does exhibition stand hire include?
Typically the frame, printed graphics, standard lighting, basic furniture and install/dismantle. Flooring upgrades, AV, rigging, power distribution and internet are almost always charged separately, as are organiser space rental, freight and staffing.
Is exhibition stand hire cheaper than buying?
For one or two shows a year, yes. From three shows annually, a reusable custom-modular stand usually costs less over four appearances than repeated hire, provided you can store and refresh it.
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