What is fit-out finance?

Fit-out finance covers the cost of making a commercial space ready to trade — from shopfronts and partitioning to kitchens, furniture, lighting, HVAC, IT and signage. It commonly funds Cat A and Cat B fit-outs, full refurbishments, relocations, and compliance upgrades (e.g. accessibility or ventilation). Funding can be structured as a loan, lease, hire purchase or staged drawdown to match contractor payment schedules.

Why UK businesses choose fit-out finance

Using finance for a refit protects cash and working capital while allowing you to:

• Keep cash reserves for day-to-day operations
• Pay contractors in staged instalments
• Preserve or refinance existing overdrafts and credit lines
• Potentially spread VAT and one-off costs
• Replace or upgrade equipment through asset finance

Common fit-out costs covered

Typical items lenders will consider include shopfronts, flooring, lighting, plumbing and drainage, kitchen equipment, furniture and shelving, IT and security systems, signage and any landlord-required reinstatement works.

How Fast Business Loans helps you secure the right deal

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend or underwrite. Our role is to match your limited company with lenders and brokers who specialise in fit-outs, saving you time and improving the chances of a suitable offer. The process is straightforward:

1. Complete a short enquiry form (this is not an application).
2. We identify suitable lender and broker partners based on sector, project size and company profile.
3. Partners contact you directly with eligibility checks, indicative terms and next steps.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (takes less than 2 minutes; no impact on credit score at enquiry stage).

Fit-out finance solutions we can introduce

Unsecured business loans

Quick to arrange for smaller projects from around £10,000 upwards. Suitable for businesses with strong trading history and cashflow projections. Offers fast turnaround but limits may be lower and rates depend on credit profile.

Secured loans & property-backed finance

For larger projects lenders may offer better terms when security is provided (e.g. charge over property). These packages suit multi-site rollouts or high-value refurbishments but take longer to complete due to valuations and legal processes.

Asset finance, leasing & hire purchase

Useful when the fit-out includes expensive kitchen equipment, POS systems or IT. Leasing preserves cash and can be structured to match useful life; hire purchase leads to ownership at the end of the term.

Staged drawdowns & contractor-linked facilities

Some specialist lenders provide staged funding to pay contractors as milestones are met, reducing the need for large upfront payments.

Invoice finance & short-term bridging

If you’re waiting on large customer payments while the fit-out is underway, invoice finance or merchant cash advances can bridge gaps in working capital.

All introductions and offers are subject to lender assessment and terms. Rates, fees and eligibility vary by provider.

Industry-specific fit-out funding expertise

Different sectors have different lending appetites. We match your project to partners who understand your industry.

Retail & showrooms

Retail refits often require staged funding and fast installation. Lenders look for a clear trading plan and realistic sales projections after the refit.

Hospitality — restaurants, bars, hotels

Hospitality projects often have high equipment costs and licensing considerations. Specialist brokers can bundle equipment finance with working capital.

Healthcare & clinics

Healthcare fit-outs may have regulatory and equipment compliance needs — lenders experienced in the sector can advise on acceptable security and timelines.

Want to learn more about specialist fit-out funding? See options for fit-out projects like shop and restaurant refits on our dedicated fit-out finance page for further reading about funding approaches and use cases: fit-out finance.

Preparing a strong fit-out enquiry

Providing clear information speeds matching and improves responses from lenders and brokers. Typical information partners may request:

• Brief business summary and company number
• Estimated project cost and contractor quotes
• Trading history and latest management accounts
• Projected revenues after the refit
• Details of any existing borrowing or security

Quick checklist before you submit

• Obtain 2–3 contractor quotations
• Prepare a short project timeline and budget
• Have recent bank statements and management accounts ready
• Decide how much deposit (if any) you can contribute

Ready to check eligibility? Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes and is not an application.

Fit-out finance vs alternative funding routes

Compare fit-out funding with other options:

• Use savings: Avoids interest but reduces cash buffers.
• Overdraft: Flexible but can be costly and may not cover staged contractor payments.
• Landlord contributions: Negotiable but not always available.
• Equity investment: May remove repayment pressure but dilutes ownership.

Specialist fit-out finance is often preferable where conserving working capital and matching payment schedules matter most.

What to expect after you submit our enquiry form

Submission triggers a confidential match with selected lenders/brokers. Typical timeline:

1. Immediate acknowledgement and soft eligibility review (no credit impact).
2. Partner contact (phone/email) to clarify details and request documents.
3. Indicative terms or conditional offers provided.
4. Formal application to chosen provider — lender conducts checks and decides.

Fast Business Loans only introduces you to providers — lenders make the final decision. Get Quote Now for a fast match.

Responsible finance & our commitments

We aim to be fair, clear and not misleading. Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not charge business owners for matching services — our service is free and there’s no obligation to proceed. All introductions are made in confidence and your details are shared only with selected partners who can help with your request. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms; independent advice is recommended where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fit-Out Finance

Can new businesses apply for fit-out finance?

Yes. Many lenders and brokers consider early-stage and growth businesses, but they typically assess the directors’ experience, business plan and cashflow forecasts. Provide clear projections to strengthen your enquiry.

What project sizes can be funded?

Our partners consider projects from around £10,000 up to multi-site programs of several hundred thousand pounds or more. Enter your estimated budget in the form for tailored matches.

How quickly can funding be arranged?

Timescales vary. Small unsecured facilities can sometimes be agreed within days; secured or property-backed deals usually take several weeks. Start your enquiry early to avoid project delays.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — the initial enquiry is a matchmaking step and does not involve a hard credit search. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you apply.

Is a personal guarantee required?

Some lenders may request personal guarantees, particularly for smaller companies or secured facilities. Each lender’s appetite differs and your match will reflect suitable options.

Do I pay Fast Business Loans any fees?

No. Fast Business Loans’ service is free for business owners. Any fees or charges would be set by the lender and disclosed by them.

Get Tailored Fit-Out Funding Options

Ready to refurbish? Start your fit-out finance journey

Fast Business Loans makes it simple: submit a short enquiry → we match you → lenders/brokers contact you → compare offers → decide. There’s no obligation and the enquiry is not a loan application. If your project is £10,000 or more and you represent a limited company, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check now and let us connect you to the right partners.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms.