Fit-Out Finance: Upgrade Your Space with the Right Funding Partner

Summary — Fit-out finance covers the cost of refurbishing, fitting and equipping commercial premises such as shops, restaurants, offices and hospitality venues. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend money; we quickly match limited companies and incorporated businesses (loans from £10,000+) with the most suitable brokers and lenders based on your sector, project and credit profile. Use our free, no-obligation enquiry to compare options and get a rapid response from specialist providers. Get Quote Now.

What is fit-out finance and when do businesses use it?

Fit-out finance is commercial funding used to transform or refurbish premises. It covers interior construction, fixtures, lighting, flooring, signage, specialist kitchen or medical equipment, AV/IT systems and decoration. Businesses commonly use it to:

• Open or rebrand a retail store or showroom
• Refurbish a restaurant, café or bar
• Upgrade an office to modern standards or increase capacity
• Convert premises for healthcare, leisure or professional use

Fit-out finance differs from other funding types:

• Asset finance — usually for discrete items (machines, vehicles) rather than the full interior project.
• Working capital — covers day-to-day cash flow rather than project costs.
• Commercial property finance — for buying property rather than refitting it.

If you already know your project cost and timeline, you can Check Your Eligibility in Minutes and we’ll match you to lenders who fund projects from £10,000 upwards.

Common fit-out challenges we help solve

Coordinating contractor payments without straining cash flow

Large up-front invoices for contractors can cause cashflow pressure. Lenders and brokers we work with can arrange staged drawdowns aligned to milestones so your build progresses smoothly.

Funding specialist equipment and bespoke fixtures

Specialist kitchens, medical devices or commercial refrigeration add cost. Asset finance, hire purchase or bespoke refurbishment loans can spread those costs while preserving working capital.

Managing staged payments and project timelines

Many projects require phased payments. We match you with partners experienced in staged funding and practical payment schedules to keep suppliers paid and projects on track.

Example scenario: A hospitality operator renovating a 70-cover restaurant needed £120k to cover structural work, kitchen equipment and décor. By submitting a short enquiry the operator was introduced to a broker who arranged staged funding tied to supplier invoices — avoiding a cash shortfall and keeping the opening date on schedule.

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How Fast Business Loans connects you with fit-out finance experts

1. Quick Enquiry — you provide brief details about the business, project and funding needs (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match — we select lenders and brokers in our network with the right expertise for your sector and project size.
3. Response — matched partners contact you to discuss documentation, quotes and timelines.
4. Compare & decide — you evaluate offers and choose the solution that best fits your business.

We are an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score and is free and without obligation. Submit Your Fit-Out Finance Enquiry.

Fit-out finance options available through our panel

Our broker and lender partners offer a range of solutions suited to different project sizes and circumstances. Typical options include:

Unsecured fit-out loans

Good for businesses with strong financials that want to avoid providing assets as security. Ideal for smaller fit-outs where credit profile supports unsecured lending.

Secured refurbishment finance

Often available for larger projects and can offer lower rates in exchange for a charge over business assets or property.

Asset & equipment finance

Designed to fund specific equipment (kitchens, medical devices, AV). Helpful if the bulk of project cost is in specialist kit rather than construction.

Hire purchase & leasing

Spread the cost of fixtures and equipment with ownership options or operational leases depending on tax and cashflow priorities.

Bridging or short-term funding

For rapid projects where you need funds quickly between stages — typically repaid once longer-term finance or revenues are in place.

Merchant cash advance

Suitable for seasonal venues with card sales where repayments are taken as a percentage of future takings.

Loan sizes our partners commonly arrange range widely — for many projects funding can start at around £10,000 and run into hundreds of thousands or millions depending on the scope and security available. To compare solutions, Compare Fit-Out Finance Solutions.

For more detail about common fit-out funding approaches, see our detailed guide on fit-out finance.

Who we help: fit-out funding across industries

We work with lenders and brokers experienced across commercial sectors. Typical industries include:

• Retail
• Hospitality (restaurants, bars, cafés)
• Offices & co-working
• Healthcare & clinics
• Education & training centres
• Showrooms & leisure

In focus — hospitality

Restaurants and bars often need combined funding for building work and commercial kitchens. Our partners can arrange structured finance that covers both elements with staged drawdowns.

In focus — retail

Retail fit-outs frequently require show-ready finishes and signage. Lenders experienced in shopfitting understand supplier payment cycles and can tailor drawdowns accordingly.

Benefits of partnering with Fast Business Loans for fit-out finance

• Speed — quick matching often leading to same-day introductions.
• Choice — a wide network of UK lenders and brokers to compare offers.
• Sector expertise — we match you to partners who understand your industry.
• Free & no obligation — submitting an enquiry costs nothing and won’t commit you.
• Privacy — we only share your details with relevant partners and handle data securely.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

How to prepare before you apply

Being prepared speeds the process. Use this checklist before you enquire:

Clarify business scope & budget

• Project outline and total funding required
• Timeline and key milestones

Gather key documents

• Recent management accounts or tax filings
• Supplier quotes and build estimates
• Copy of lease or proof of premises ownership

Be ready to discuss performance

• Monthly turnover trends and seasonal patterns
• Existing finance arrangements (loans, hire purchase)

Note: our initial enquiry asks for minimal information — full documents are usually requested later by the lender or broker. Complete our Quick Enquiry Form to get matched.

Fit-out finance costs and considerations

Costs vary by lender, loan type, security and business profile. Common cost elements include interest, arrangement fees, valuation or broker fees and any legal costs for charges against assets.

• Interest: depends on product and risk profile — your matched lenders will provide indicative figures.
• Fees: arrangement, administration or early repayment fees may apply.
• Security: unsecured deals can be costlier; secured finance may achieve better rates.

Ask lenders upfront about all fees, APR equivalents and repayment flexibility. If you’d like help comparing cost scenarios, Discuss Fit-Out Finance Options.

Why transparency and trust matter in fit-out finance

Clear, fair and non-misleading information helps you choose the right product. Fast Business Loans commits to:

• Clear communication — we explain our role as an introducer, not a lender or adviser.
• Limited data sharing — your details are only shared with selected partners who can help.
• Privacy and security — we treat your information confidentially and securely.
• No impact to credit — initial enquiries do not affect your credit file.

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Fit-out finance FAQs

What types of projects can fit-out finance cover?

Fit-out finance can fund retail refurbishments, restaurant and bar fit-outs, office refurbishments, clinics, showrooms and leisure venues. Funding typically covers construction, interior design, fixtures, fittings and specialist equipment. Exact scope depends on the lender and product matched to your enquiry.

How quickly can I access funds after enquiring?

After you submit an enquiry you’ll usually get a response from matched partners in hours or days. Time to drawdown depends on documentation, valuations and any security; small unsecured facilities can sometimes be arranged in days, larger or secured projects can take several weeks.

Do I need to provide security for fit-out funding?

Security requirements vary. Some lenders offer unsecured loans for companies with strong accounts; others may require a charge on business assets, personal guarantees or property security for larger amounts. Your broker will explain options relevant to your situation.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks later if you progress with an application and will seek your consent beforehand.

Do you charge a fee for using Fast Business Loans?

No — our service is free to businesses. We earn a fee from our partners when an enquiry converts, so there’s no cost to you to find and compare fit-out finance options.

What happens after I submit the enquiry form?

We match your details to lenders and brokers who best fit your needs. Those partners contact you to discuss options, request any required documents and provide quotes. You decide if you want to progress with any particular provider.

Ready to start?

Transforming your premises starts with a short enquiry. Tell us about your project and budget and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who can help — for projects from £10,000 and above. It’s free, quick and without obligation. Start Your Free Enquiry.

Fast Business Loans acts only as an introducer to third-party lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Eligibility and terms are determined by the lender or broker who contacts you.

– What is fit-out finance and what does it cover? Fit-out finance funds the refurbishment and equipping of commercial premises, including interior build, fixtures, lighting, flooring, signage, AV/IT and specialist equipment.

– Who can apply for fit-out finance through Fast Business Loans? UK limited companies and incorporated businesses seeking funding from around £10,000+ can be matched with suitable brokers and lenders.

– How fast can I access fit-out funding after I enquire? You’ll typically hear from matched partners within hours or days, with smaller unsecured facilities sometimes funded in days and larger or secured deals taking several weeks.

– What are the typical loan amounts available for fit-outs? Funding commonly starts at about £10,000 and can extend to hundreds of thousands or millions depending on project scope and security.

– Is your enquiry form a loan application and will it affect my credit score? No—it’s a quick, no-obligation enquiry that won’t affect your credit score, with any lender credit checks only happening later with your consent.

– Do I need security or a personal guarantee for fit-out finance? It depends on the lender and amount; some options are unsecured, while larger facilities may require a charge over assets or property and/or personal guarantees.

– Can funding be released in stages to pay contractors and suppliers? Yes, many lenders offer staged drawdowns aligned to milestones and supplier invoices to help manage cash flow.

– What finance options are available for a shop, restaurant or office fit-out? Options include unsecured fit-out loans, secured refurbishment finance, asset and equipment finance, hire purchase, leasing, bridging finance and merchant cash advances.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for? After the initial minimal enquiry, you’ll typically provide recent accounts, supplier quotes/estimates and your lease or proof of premises ownership.

– What costs and fees should I expect with fit-out finance? Total cost usually includes interest plus any arrangement, valuation, broker and legal fees, with pricing influenced by product type, risk profile and security.