Turnkey vs Build Only Stand Services: Which to Choose?

The word turnkey gets used loosely across the exhibition industry, and confusing it with a build only service is one of the more common ways exhibitors end up with unexpected gaps in their project. This guide sets out the practical difference and how to decide which one actually fits your situation.

What Each Term Actually Means

A turnkey service generally covers the full project from design through to a finished, ready to use stand, including production, transport, installation and often dismantling. A build only service typically covers construction and installation based on a design you already have, whether that design comes from an in house team, a separate design agency, or a previous project being reused.

Side by Side Comparison

Turnkey Service

• Design included: Yes, usually with 3D visualisation.
• Best suited to: Exhibitors without an existing design or in-house design capability.
• Single point of contact: Usually yes, across the whole project.
• Typical cost structure: One consolidated price covering most stages.
• Flexibility for design changes: Generally easier, since the same team manages the design and build.
• Risk of gaps between stages: Lower, since one contractor manages the full process.

Build Only Service

• Design included: No, the design is supplied by the client.
• Best suited to: Exhibitors with a finished design ready for construction.
• Single point of contact: Often limited to the construction stage only.
• Typical cost structure: Lower headline price, but design costs sit elsewhere.
• Flexibility for design changes: Can require re-briefing the builder if the design changes.
• Risk of gaps between stages: Higher if separate parties handle design and build without clear coordination.

When a Turnkey Service Tends to Make Sense

A turnkey service generally suits exhibitors who do not have an existing stand design, want a single point of accountability across the whole project, or are exhibiting at a show for the first time and prefer not to coordinate multiple suppliers separately. It also tends to reduce the risk of miscommunication between a design team and a construction team, since both sit under one contract.

When a Build Only Service Tends to Make Sense

A build only service can work well for exhibitors who already have a finished stand design, perhaps from an in house creative team or a separate design agency, and simply need a contractor to construct and install it. It can also suit exhibitors reusing a design from a previous show, where the construction brief is already largely defined.

The Risk Worth Understanding Before Choosing Build Only

If you choose a build only service, confirm exactly how design responsibility is handled if something does not translate well from concept to physical construction. Without a single point of accountability across design and build, disagreements about whether an issue stems from the original design or the construction itself can become difficult to resolve, and this is worth clarifying in writing before the project begins.

A Simple Way to Decide

If you do not yet have a stand design, or want one supplier accountable for the entire project, a turnkey service is generally the safer starting point. If you already have a finished, tested design and simply need it built, a build only service can be a more cost effective option, provided you are confident the design itself is sound and complete before construction begins.