Choosing a stand builder is choosing who you’ll depend on at 7am during build-up, not just who drew the nicest render. Get it right and the whole show runs smoothly; get it wrong and you’re managing a crisis far from home. Having sat on the builder’s side of this for years, here’s how to choose well — the questions that actually predict how a project goes.
Do they build in-house?
The first and most revealing question. A builder with its own workshop controls quality, timeline and on-site fixes; a broker who subcontracts the build controls none of them and adds a margin for the privilege. Ask plainly where your stand is built and by whom — a vague answer is the answer.
Have they built at your venue?
Every major venue has its own technical rules, approvals and build-up logistics. A builder who works your venue regularly knows what passes and what gets flagged, and plans the timeline around it. Ask for recent, specific experience at your show — not a general portfolio.
Who’s on the floor during build-up?
Build-up is where things go wrong and get fixed. A builder with its own crew, tools and spares solves a problem in an hour; “we’ll send someone” doesn’t. Ask who from their team is physically in the hall and what happens when something breaks.
Is the quote honest?
The most expensive surprises are the line items left out — freight, venue services, late changes. Ask for an itemised quote and what’s explicitly excluded. A builder who’s straight about exclusions has actually planned the project; one whose quote looks suspiciously cheap has usually left something out.
Pricing in proportion
Compare quotes on what they include, not just the headline number. As a reference, a 9 m² modular runs €3,800–€5,500 and an 18 m² €5,500–€8,500 (a built stand’s price covers design, build, graphics, lighting, install and dismantle — not organiser floor rental, venue services or specialty add-ons). A quote far below that range usually excludes something you’ll pay for later.
Related
- Stand contractors: finding the right fit
- Benefits of a professional stand designer
- Stand builder in Frankfurt
- About SOL Germany
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most important thing when choosing a stand builder?
Whether they build in-house. A builder with its own workshop controls quality, timeline and on-site fixes; a broker who subcontracts loses all three and adds margin. After that: venue experience, an on-site crew, and an honest, itemised quote.
How do I compare stand-builder quotes fairly?
Compare what each includes, not just the headline price. Ask each for an itemised quote and its explicit exclusions — freight, venue services, late changes. A quote far below the typical range usually leaves something out that you’ll pay for later.
