Close Evaluation Saves Time, Money, and Sometimes Your Job

When evaluating a sales order from Absolute Exhibits against one from another provider, it is essential to make a true exhibit house price comparison—apples to apples. While it sounds straightforward, many buyers overlook critical details that can drastically alter the final cost. Below are pointers to help you avoid surprises.

Estimates vs. Real Costs

Absolute Exhibits does not estimate. Any line item containing the word Estimate on a competitor’s sales order is just that—an approximation. Regardless of what number appears in the final column, estimated costs often lead to additional billing after your show. A proper exhibit house price comparison requires accounting for those hidden or “to be determined” costs.

Transparent I&D Pricing

Absolute Exhibits provides full billable install and dismantle (I&D) pricing upfront. There is no post-show billing. In contrast, most exhibit houses exclude I&D, relying on third-party vendors or their own labor teams. Their quotes often assume the lowest straight-time hourly rate multiplied by an optimistic estimate of hours. In reality, almost no project installs or dismantles without overtime or double-time. That gap turns into surprise charges for you.

What’s Included with Absolute Exhibits

An apples-to-apples evaluation means looking beyond headline pricing. Absolute Exhibits rental sales orders always include:

  • A dedicated project manager
  • Complimentary design and revisions
  • Engineered drawings for build approval
  • Completion of all show paperwork
  • In-house production of graphics, including dye sublimation walls and hanging signs
  • Flooring and furnishings
  • A/V equipment and installation
  • Union labor I&D
  • Labor supervision
  • Round-trip shipping

When competitors tack on extra travel expenses, project management fees, post-show labor, or vendor surcharges, those add up quickly. Factor these into your exhibit house price comparison and you’ll see the true cost difference.

The Hidden Costs of Unknowns

Extra charges and estimated fees create the biggest nightmares for exhibit buyers. Late invoices, inflated labor costs, or surprise shipping adjustments can throw your budget off course and even jeopardize your program’s success. With Absolute Exhibits, you know exactly what you are paying for, upfront.

The Bottom Line

A thorough exhibit house price comparison is about more than matching line items. It requires looking closely at what is included, what is estimated, and what is missing. Absolute Exhibits provides clarity and transparency from the start—no hidden fees, no surprises, just reliable pricing and complete service.