- 01. Discovery and concept (weeks 1–3)
- 02. Design development (weeks 3–6)
- 03. Engineering and shop drawings (weeks 6–9)
- 04. Fabrication, graphics, and pre-build (weeks 9–14)
- 05. Crate, ship, install (weeks 14–18)
A custom booth project is a 12–18 week construction project, not a brochure download. Knowing the milestones and the high-risk gates upfront keeps your show date safe.
Discovery and concept (weeks 1–3)
Builder team interviews you on goals, target audience, demos, brand guidelines, booth flow, and budget. Output: a written creative brief and 2–3 concept directions (typically 3D sketches, not full renders).
Most slips happen here when the brand team and the show team aren't aligned internally before the kickoff.
Design development (weeks 3–6)
Selected concept goes into full 3D renders, materials specs, lighting plan, and engineering review for weight, height, and structural requirements. Drayage and rigging cost estimates get tighter here.
Approval at this gate locks design. Changes past this point are 3–5x more expensive.
Engineering and shop drawings (weeks 6–9)
Detailed shop drawings, electrical schematics, AV integration plan, and the show services bundle (rigging permit, I&D contract, freight booking). Graphic templates released to your design team.
Tell us about your event, budget, and timeline. We'll line up vetted booth builders that fit — usually within 48 hours, no commitment.
Get matched with buildersFabrication, graphics, and pre-build (weeks 9–14)
Booth is built and pre-assembled in the shop. You should be invited to walk the pre-build at least 2 weeks before crate-up — this is the last realistic chance to catch issues.
Crate, ship, install (weeks 14–18)
Crate, ship to advance warehouse (recommended) or direct, then I&D. Plan to arrive 1 day before booth-ready deadline for personal QA. Don't trust 'we'll handle it' for opening day.
- 12–18 weeks is the honest timeline for custom builds
- Design-lock gate is where 80% of cost overruns originate
- Walk the pre-build at the shop — most exhibitors don't
- Arrive 1 day before booth-ready for personal QA
Download the Exhibit Bridge Booth Buyer's Guide
Budgets, timelines, vendor red flags, and the exact questions to ask before signing a booth builder contract.
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Part of the Exhibit Bridge editorial team — ex-exhibitors, marketers, and builders writing the guides we wish we'd had when we were on the show floor.
Zoom out to the full playbook
This article is part of a deeper hub — the pillar page collects every related guide on the topic.
Plan around your show, city, and industry
Use these directories to pressure-test the guide against your specific show, venue, and vertical.
Keep reading
Cancellation clauses, IP ownership, hidden labor markups, and the booth builder fine print that costs exhibitors thousands every year.
A 10-question framework for vetting rental partners — most exhibitors only ask 3.
An honest comparison of the three modular booth systems most U.S. exhibitors will see quoted.