- 01. Questions about fabrication and ownership
- 02. Questions about logistics, storage, and shipping
- 03. Questions about install/dismantle teams
- 04. Questions about pricing structure
- 05. Questions about post-show service and reuse
First calls with booth companies start to blur together quickly. Everyone has a portfolio of impressive shots, everyone says they handle install, everyone is 'full-service.' This question list is designed to surface the things that actually distinguish vendors from each other — turnaround on changes, ownership of fabrication, how they handle the inevitable on-site fire drill. Use it as a working script, not a quiz.
Questions about fabrication and ownership
These reveal whether the company you're talking to actually builds your booth or subcontracts it. Subcontracting isn't disqualifying, but it changes how you should evaluate the relationship — you're really hiring a project manager who hires a fabricator.
- Do you own your fabrication shop?
- What percentage of the booth is built in-house vs. subcontracted?
- Can we tour your facility?
- Who actually owns the design files when the project is done?
- If we change builders next year, can we take the design with us?
Questions about logistics, storage, and shipping
Logistics is where good builders quietly add value and bad builders quietly leak money. Most exhibitors never ask about it until something goes wrong.
- Where do you store reusable booth components between shows?
- What does between-show storage cost and what's included?
- Who handles shipping — you, us, or a third party?
- What's your insurance coverage on booth components in transit?
- What's the process if something is damaged in shipping?
Questions about install/dismantle teams
I&D quality is the difference between a booth that opens on time looking sharp and one that opens at noon looking rough. Builders' I&D arrangements vary widely — some have direct teams, some use trusted partners, some use whoever the show contracts with.
- Do you use your own I&D team or a partner?
- Will the same supervisor be on-site that we worked with during planning?
- What's your standard install timeline relative to show open?
- What happens if I&D finds a problem during setup — who decides the fix?
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 buildersQuestions about pricing structure
These get past the headline number to how the relationship will actually feel.
- What triggers a change order vs. what's included in revisions?
- What's the typical change order markup?
- Are graphics included in the base price or a separate line?
- What's your deposit and payment schedule?
- What's the most expensive change you've billed in the last year, and why?
Questions about post-show service and reuse
Most exhibitors think about the next show too late. A good builder is already thinking about how this booth will be reused or refreshed before the first one even ships.
- How is the booth refurbished between shows?
- What's the typical refresh cost for graphics only vs. structural updates?
- If we want a different layout for show #2, what's reusable and what isn't?
- What's the realistic lifespan of this booth before it needs major rebuild?
- Ask whether the booth is built in-house or subcontracted — both can work, but it changes the relationship
- Get a real answer on storage and refurbishment costs upfront
- Confirm whether the same person you've worked with is on-site at the show
- Understand the change order markup before signing, not after
Ready to find the right booth builder?
Skip the cold-calling. Tell us about your show, your booth size, and your budget — we'll send a short list of builders worth your time.
