Custom stall and exhibition stand builder
Make and fit bespoke stalls, shop counters and exhibition stands from a small workshop.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
37,269 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 43290 “Other construction installation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small workshop that builds custom stalls, retail display units and exhibition stands, then delivers and installs them at the customer's venue.
Your first three steps
- Build two or three sample stalls or stands and photograph them for a simple portfolio
- Find a small unit or shared workshop space and check the terms of use and costs
- Contact exhibition stand agencies, shop fitters and local retailers to offer subcontract building and fitting
Who pays
Retailers, pop-up shops, exhibitors, trade show organisers and brands that need display units for events.
How it makes money
Quoted price per project covering design, materials, build and installation, plus extra for storage, repeat set-ups and repairs.
Skills that help
- Carpentry or fabrication
- Reading drawings and measuring accurately
- Quoting and project planning
- Customer communication
Watch out for
- Public liability and tools or equipment insurance, and check cover for goods in your care
- Workshop use: check planning, lease terms and business rates with your council
- Fire safety: venues may require fire-retardant materials, so check what each customer needs
- Safe use of woodworking machinery and dust control
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: custom stall and exhibition stand builder
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a stall and exhibition stand business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your workshop, machinery, tools and insurance. These are estimates, so price your equipment and space before you commit.
How much can an exhibition stand builder earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many builds you take on and their size. Estimates assume at least around 15 hours a week.
What should I check before setting up a stand-building workshop?
Check workshop use, including planning, lease terms and business rates with your council. Also check insurance for tools and goods in your care, fire safety needs for each venue, and safe use of woodworking machinery and dust control.
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