1. Stand size and how open it is
Size is the starting point, but the layout matters as much. A shell-scheme upgrade or a one-side-open booth needs fewer finished faces than an island stand open on all four sides, where every wall is seen from both directions and must be finished properly.
Double-decker stands and stands with a mezzanine floor add structural steel, stairs, handrails and engineering checks, so they sit at the top of the range.
2. Custom build vs modular system
A fully custom stand is built from scratch in timber, MDF, steel and acrylic to your design. It gives the strongest look but is usually made for one show.
A modular or hybrid stand uses a reusable frame with new graphics and a few custom features. It costs less per show if you exhibit several times a year. Many of our clients choose a hybrid: a reusable steel or aluminium frame, plus one custom hero piece such as a backlit logo wall, a branded counter or a lit arch.
3. Materials and finishes
Painted MDF, laminate, ACP, acrylic, stainless steel and fabric graphics all have very different costs. Paint finishes need spraying, curing and touch-up time; gloss and metallic finishes need more preparation. Laser-cut patterns, bent tube frames and stainless details look premium but add machine and finishing hours.
Because we cut, bend, weld, build joinery and spray in-house, we can usually suggest a cheaper material that gives the same look before you commit.
4. Lighting, screens and special features
Backlit walls, LED strips, light boxes, neon signage, screens and moving elements add both parts and wiring time. They are often what makes a stand stand out, so we recommend spending here rather than on extra walls. Kinetic features (turntables, rising logos, reveal props) come from our event automation work and need testing before the show.
5. Flooring, storage and furniture
A raised platform floor hides cables and looks clean, but adds material and labour. Storage rooms, lockable counters and meeting rooms each add walls and doors. Furniture can be rented or built to match your brand.
6. Venue rules and build-up time
Venues such as Dubai World Trade Centre and ADNEC have their own rules on stand height, fire-rated materials, rigging, electrical approvals and drawings. Short build-up windows push more work into the workshop beforehand, which is good for quality but must be planned. Late changes are the most common reason a budget grows.
7. Reuse, storage and the next show
If you exhibit every year, ask for a stand designed to be stored and rebuilt. Bolted frames, standard panel sizes and replaceable graphics bring down the cost of the second and third show a lot.
How to get an accurate quotation fast
- Hall plan with stand number, size and open sides
- Your design or renders (or reference images if you need design help)
- Show dates, build-up and dismantle times
- Must-have features: screens, storage, meeting room, counter, lighting
- Whether you want to reuse the stand at future shows
Send these on WhatsApp and we reply with questions or an itemised quotation, so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I order an exhibition stand in Dubai?
For a custom stand, 4 to 6 weeks before build-up is comfortable. Simple modular stands can be faster, but drawings and venue approvals still take time, so earlier is always cheaper and calmer.
Is a modular stand cheaper than a custom stand?
Per show, usually yes, if you exhibit more than once. A hybrid stand, with a reusable frame plus one custom feature, often gives the best balance of cost and impact.
Do you build stands for DWTC and ADNEC?
Yes. We fabricate stands in our Ras Al Khor workshop and install them at Dubai and Abu Dhabi venues, following each venue's rules on height, materials and drawings.
Can you store our stand between shows?
Ask us when you request the quotation. Designing the stand for storage and rebuild from the start keeps the cost of future shows down.
