The question we often hear as businesses prepare to venture into exhibitions and trade shows in 2025 is, "How much will it cost to design and build an exhibition stall?" Just like in other years, asking how much it costs to design and build an exhibition stall will result in different answers. The cost of stall design depends on a few basic factors: choice of materials, level of design complexity, technology considerations, and the expertise of your service vendor.

Nonetheless, in 2025, shifting trends and other realities are shaping the stall design cost trend. Whether you are a new business or an existing brand name, you must understand the cost of stall design ahead of time so you can plan correctly and set your expectations. In this blog, we will openly lay out a few items related to stall design pricing like stall design pricing, booth build cost, modular vs custom build, and finally what we regard to be a standard for the pricing of booth design in an exhibition context for 2025.

Cost Breakdown of Stall Design in 2025

Currently, the cost of your exhibition stall comes with several layers of cost. In most cases, you will encounter three distinct tiers:

• Design & concept planning
• Material and construction cost
• Setup cost, utilities, and technology cost

When you work with a team to create layouts, branding, and flow for visitors, the design is often on a flat fee or retainer basis. The design phase ranges from ₹20,000 - ₹1 lakh for simplistic ideas, and more if you want a fully immersive experience through VR or presentation as a more detailed concept through 3D render.

Design usually comes from pre-made designs or templates but more are customized with client input. Material and construction typically account for the majority of the costs involved. Affordable modular/shell scheme stalls start around ₹3,000–₹5,000 per square foot (INR) in India, while custom exhibition stalls may run even higher, upwards of ₹5,500–₹8,000 (INR) or more, especially if you opt for designer finishes and branded installations.

Cost of Setting Up Booths: What Does it Entail?

Setup prices are usually quoted once your stall design and configuration are confirmed. Setup is commonly done for your panels or flooring, lighting, screens and branding. For a booth of about 9 to 12 square meters, you'll likely incur setup fees of around ₹40,000 to ₹80,000 for a modular stall with additional costs for the interactive kiosk, for example, if an LED wall were to be a feature. If it were a custom booth build, then setup fees can become over ₹1.2 lakh for the same space. Labor and logistics are the main drivers of these costs.

Pricing for Modular Stall Designs in 2025

Modular stall designs are a very popular topic lately, especially with a focus on being sustainable and flexible. Modular systems utilize prefabricated panels and casework, including aluminum frames, PVC walls, plug-and-play lighting, plus any branding graphics that are printed on applicable materials. This can reduce some costs, and the reusability is a big plus. The cost of a shell scheme or modular stall varies depending on the amount of branding work or whether the structure is built up.

Custom vs. Modular: Cost Comparison

If you haven’t compared the two before, here’s how modular and custom typically stack up:

Custom stalls are built from scratch using materials like MDF, plywood, and acrylic, allowing for complete creative control. These also increase costs because of custom fabrication, more labor for painting, and higher logistics due to their unique nature. Custom stalls generally cost at least 2 to 3 times the square foot price of a modular stall, unless a company wants custom branding for every show or a really unique piece. Modular stalls are generally a more efficient expenditure.

Other Cost Influencers and Their Impact in 2025

Several factors have changed stall pricing this year:

• Sustainability: Many organizers enforce sustainability in stall elements. Eco-friendly materials and waste diversion add costs, especially for logistics.
• Labor Costs: Skilled labor rates have risen. More people needed for installation or modifications increase costs, and rates spike during busy trade fair seasons or major city sites.
• Technology Costs: Adding tech like interactive screens, AR/VR, badges, or digital lead capture increases setup and hardware costs.
• Last-Minute Changes: Rush orders or last-minute additions can boost overall costs by 10–30%.
• Insurance: You may want insurance for damage or theft of packing, booth, or equipment. This is often included in rental setup packages (2–5% of the cost).

Negotiating and Getting the Best Price for Your Exhibition Stand Setup

Savvy exhibitors get the most value by:

• Choosing modular for repeated expos—reuse, save, and adapt.
• Bundling graphics and furniture with the stall build to reach volume price points.
• Begin planning as early as possible, because scheduling changes can be expensive at the last minute.
• Locating local vendors can reduce transportation costs and ensure faster delivery.
• Getting written quotes that clearly lay out and call out costs will avoid ambiguity, including any oversight of upselling when things change.

Final Thoughts: Exhibition Stand Design Costs in 2025

Designing an exhibition stand in 2025 means balancing creativity with brand impact and cost realities. Modular stalls work well for most needs and help control costs and waste. Custom builds command a premium for showstopping looks or immersive visitor experiences. Regardless of which option you choose, it is worthwhile to think ahead, keep the overall purpose in mind, and always remember that the best exhibition stand will result from smart design choices, efficient cost management, and distinct brand messaging, all while remaining within budget.

If you're considering exhibiting in your own market next year, the ideas outlined here provide a good basis for your expectations and negotiating around costs. Ultimately, if you make deliberate decisions, at the very least, your 2025 exhibition stand and the message you want to relay can be one visitors remember for all the right reasons--and at the right cost.