Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation | FabCal by OrangeAF

The Ultimate Guide to Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation in 2026

How to automate your fabrication business and protect your margins with FabCal.

In the fast-paced world of trade shows, the difference between a profitable project and a loss-making one often comes down to one thing: Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation. For years, fabricators have relied on guesswork, outdated spreadsheets, and “gut feelings” to quote for projects. But as material costs fluctuate and client demands increase, manual processes are no longer enough. At Orange Stall Fabrication, we realized that the industry was missing a dedicated tool. That is why we built FabCalโ€”the first specialized Stall Fabrication Software designed by fabricators, for fabricators. In this guide, we will break down the complexities of project pricing and show you how to master the art of estimation.
FabCal Dashboard showing a summary of a sample project

Why Manual Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation is Killing Your Profits

Many small to mid-sized fabrication houses struggle with “leakage.” This occurs when the Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation does not account for the small but significant variables: the extra liter of paint, the broken acrylic sheet during transport, or the two extra hours of overtime for the carpentry team at 2:00 AM during set-up.

When you fail to professionalize your Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation, you risk two things:

  • Overquoting: You lose the project to a competitor who has a more precise calculation.
  • Underquoting: You win the project but end up paying out of your own pocket to finish it.

The Solution: Automated BOQ Generator

With an Automated BOQ Generator like FabCal, you remove human error. Instead of typing formulas into Excel, you simply input the dimensions and material types, and the system handles the rest. This ensures your Fabrication Profit Margin remains healthy and predictable.

Core Components of Accurate Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation

To create a foolproof estimate, you must categorize your costs into four main buckets. Understanding these is the secret to a successful Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation process.

1. Material Costs (The Foundation)

Whether it is a 12 mm commercial ply or a high-gloss Duco finish, every material must be accounted for. Professional Stall Fabrication Software keeps a live library of material prices so you don’t have to check the market every morning. Accurate Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation requires knowing exactly how many sheets of plywood a 6×3 m stall will consume, including a 10% wastage factor.

FabCal Material Selection Interface

2. Labor and Manpower

Labor is often the most miscalculated part of Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation. You have workshop labor, onsite supervisors, and specialized electricians. FabCal helps you calculate labor-hours accurately, ensuring that your Fabrication Profit Margin isn’t drained by unexpected labor requirements during the exhibition build-up.

3. Logistics and Handling

Transporting a stall from the workshop to the venue involves more than just a truck. You have loading, unloading, and the risk of damage. Any robust Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation must include a buffer for logistics to ensure the project stays profitable.

How FabCal Revolutionizes Your Workflow

By using FabCal, hosted at orangeaf.in, you are not just getting a calculator; you are getting a specialized Stall Fabrication Software. Our platform allows you to generate a professional proposal in minutes. The Automated BOQ Generator creates a detailed breakdown that you can share directly with your clients, building trust through transparency.

When you use Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation tools that are built specifically for our industry, you can track your Fabrication Profit Margin in real-time. If the price of timber goes up, you update it once in the system, and every future quote reflects that change.

Step-by-Step: Creating a Quote in FabCal

Setting up your first Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation in FabCal is simple:

  1. Input Stall Dimensions: Define the floor area and height.
  2. Select Materials: Choose from our pre-defined library of fabrication materials.
  3. Add Graphics & AV: Include flex printing, LED walls, and furniture rentals.
  4. Review Margins: Adjust your markups to see your final Fabrication Profit Margin.
  5. Export BOQ: Use the Automated BOQ Generator to create a PDF quote.
Sample BOQ Report generated by FabCal

The Future of Stall Fabrication Software

As we move into 2026, the exhibition industry is becoming more data-driven. Fabricators who rely on paper notes will be left behind. Implementing a digital Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation strategy is the only way to scale your business. With FabCal, we provide you with the same technology used by giant fabrication houses, but at a price that fits your budget.

We constantly update our Stall Fabrication Software with new features, including multi-currency support for international exhibitions and carbon footprint tracking for sustainable stalls. This makes your Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation not just accurate, but future-proof.

Conclusion: Don’t Leave Your Profit to Chance

Mastering Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation is the most important skill for any fabrication business owner. By moving away from manual errors and adopting an Automated BOQ Generator, you save time, reduce stress, and most importantly, you make more money.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Join the community of fabricators using FabCal to streamline their operations. Experience the power of professional Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation today.

Ready to automate? Visit OrangeAF and subscribe to FabCal today. Using FabCal is a smarter approach to estimating, which leads to faster growth.

Frequently Asked Questions about FabCal

Is FabCal suitable for small-scale exhibition fabricators?

Yes. FabCal was designed to scale. Whether you are a freelance designer or a large-scale fabrication house, the system helps you maintain a consistent Exhibition Stall Costing and Estimation process, ensuring you never underquote a project.

Can I export the estimation into a professional BOQ format?

Absolutely. One of the core features of FabCal is the Automated BOQ Generator. With one click, you can export your entire estimation into a professional PDF format ready to be sent to your client.

Does the software account for material wastage?

Yes. Accurate Exhibition Stall Material Calculation requires accounting for wastage. FabCal allows you to set custom wastage percentages for plywood, paint, and graphics to protect your Fabrication Profit Margin.

Is my data secure on OrangeAF?

Yes, your project data and pricing libraries are private and secured with industry-standard encryption. Only you and your authorized team members can access your Stall Fabrication Software dashboard.