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Trade Show Booth FAQs: Costs, Timelines and Logistics
Straight answers about custom trade show booth costs, timelines, logistics, and how working with Beaver XP actually works.
Answers before you ask
Below are the questions exhibitors ask us most - about budgets, builds, shipping, show services, and everything between. If your question is not covered here, the fastest path to an answer is a 20-minute call with our team.
Every answer reflects how we actually operate: one company handling design, fabrication, graphics, and on-site operations from our La Mirada, California facility.
La Mirada, CAIn-house design, fabrication and graphic production
100% in-houseNo outsourced fabrication - full control of quality and timeline
Global brandsSamsung, Google, LG, Hyundai, Naver, Hanwha
FAQ
Common questions
How much does a custom trade show booth cost?
A 10x10 custom booth typically starts around $10,000-$30,000. Mid-size 20x20 islands commonly run $50,000-$120,000, and large island or double-deck exhibits range up to $250,000+. Size, materials, AV, and complexity drive the number - and every Beaver XP quote is free and broken out line by line.
What is included in a booth quote?
Everything with a cost: design and engineering, fabrication, graphics, crating, freight, drayage estimates, install and dismantle labor, and show services coordination. No mystery buckets - you see where every dollar goes before you commit.
Is a custom booth or a rental cheaper?
For one or two shows a year, rental or hybrid programs often win. At three or more uses, custom usually pays for itself - and holds brand value rentals cannot. We quote both honestly and will tell you if custom is not the right call yet.
How can we lower our trade show costs?
Start earlier. Early planning unlocks better material pricing, avoids rush fees, hits advance-warehouse freight deadlines, and leaves room for modular design choices that reuse across shows. Smart drayage strategy alone often saves thousands.
How long does it take to build a custom exhibit?
Most custom booths take 6-12 weeks from approved design to ship date. Double-deck and heavily custom builds run longer. Because design, fabrication, and graphics all happen in-house, we control the whole timeline and lock it at engineering signoff.
What is the difference between custom and modular booths?
Custom booths are designed and fabricated specifically for your brand - maximum impact and total creative freedom. Modular systems use pre-engineered components that reconfigure across footprints. We build both, and often blend them: custom fronts on modular cores.
Can you update or repair a booth we already own?
Yes - including booths built by other fabricators. We refurbish structures, replace graphics, reconfigure layouts for new footprints, and store the property between shows so it arrives refreshed every time.
Do you build double-deck booths?
Yes. Our double-deck exhibits are structurally engineered, venue-compliant, and delivered with the permits and inspections handled. Two stories effectively doubles your footprint without doubling floor cost.
What areas does Beaver XP serve?
Home coverage is Southern California and Las Vegas, with nationwide service to Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New York, and every major convention city. See our service areas pages for venue-specific details.
Do you handle shipping, drayage, and show paperwork?
Yes - end to end. We crate, schedule freight, manage advance-warehouse deadlines, file show services orders for electrical and rigging, and track everything so nothing surprises you at the dock.
Who installs the booth at the venue?
In our home region, our own crews. At long-haul venues, a Beaver XP project manager supervises vetted, venue-approved labor on the floor. Either way, one accountable team runs your install, show support, and dismantle.
Can you store our booth between shows?
Yes. Many clients keep their exhibit properties at our La Mirada facility year-round. We inspect and refurbish between shows and redeliver show-ready for each date on your calendar.
What does the process look like from start to finish?
Four steps: a discovery call about your show, goals, and budget; a concept and line-item quote; in-house design, fabrication, and print with photo updates; then delivery, installation, show support, and dismantle. One team the whole way.
How far in advance should we contact you?
For a custom build, 4-6 months before the show is ideal - longer for mega-shows like CES. Booth refreshes, graphic updates, and rentals can move much faster. When in doubt, reach out: we will tell you honestly what the timeline allows.
What happens if something breaks during the show?
Call your crew chief. We stock spare materials and hardware, and our in-house print shop produces overnight replacement graphics - same-day for Southern California venues. Most fixes happen before your first visitor notices.
Do you work with agencies and event planners?
Yes - agencies and planners are long-standing partners. We work white-label or side by side, handling the physical build while you own the client relationship and creative direction.
Planning your next show?
Tell us the show, the space, and the goal - we will come back with ideas and a detailed, free quote.
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