Why Fit-Out Finance Matters for UK Businesses

Refurbishing premises can deliver better customer experience, higher sales per square metre, improved staff morale and regulatory compliance — but it often requires significant capital up front. Fit-out projects are time-sensitive: delays can cost trading days and missed seasonal revenue.

Finance can help you:

• Preserve working capital while completing the project;
• Start trading sooner with completed works rather than waiting to save;
• Spread cost across predictable monthly payments;
• Invest in energy-efficient upgrades that lower long-term operating costs.

If you want to compare fit-out options quickly, start with a Free Eligibility Check to see which lenders or brokers may suit your project and sector: Get Started Free Eligibility Check.

What Is Fit-Out Finance?

Fit-out finance is a category of business funding designed to cover the cost of refurbishing or fitting a commercial space. That includes shopfronts, kitchens, bar areas, office partitions, lighting, flooring, fixtures, specialist installations and professional fees (design, planning, project management).

Options vary by how they are secured, term length and purpose:

• Short-term, unsecured business loans for smaller projects;
• Secured loans or commercial mortgages for larger, property-backed investments;
• Asset finance for equipment and specialist fittings;
• Leasehold improvement or contractor-backed finance structures.

Fast Business Loans does not lend directly. Our quick enquiry helps match you with brokers and lenders experienced in fit-outs so you can compare offers without searching multiple providers manually.

Fit-Out Projects We Support

Retail and High Street Shops

New shop layouts, display joinery, point-of-sale tech, shopfront glazing and accessibility works — funding to open or refresh retail space and improve conversion rates.

Hospitality & Leisure (Cafés, Bars, Restaurants)

Commercial kitchens, extraction systems, bar counters, flooring, seating and décor. Faster turnaround and equipment finance options are common in this sector.

Offices and Co‑working Spaces

Partitioning, M&E upgrades, cabling, meeting rooms and ergonomic fit-out to support hybrid working or expand headcount.

Healthcare & Wellbeing Clinics

Specialist fittings, clinical surfaces, waiting-room refits and compliant ventilation or waste arrangements — projects that often require specific lender experience.

Industrial, Workshops and Studios

Racking, lighting, mezzanine floors and process-specific installations where asset finance might be combined with refurbishment lending.

Not sure which route fits your project? Use a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to an adviser who covers your industry: Free Eligibility Check.

How Fast Business Loans Connects You with the Right Fit-Out Lender

1. Complete a short enquiry: Our two-minute form asks about your business, project value and contact details. This is not a loan application — it helps us find compatible lenders.
2. Smart matching: We select brokers and lenders from our panel who specialise in your sector and project type.
3. Expert contact: A matched lender or broker gets in touch to discuss quotes, structure and next steps.
4. Compare and decide: Review offers, terms and timescales. There’s no obligation to accept any quote.

We handle your details securely and only share them with relevant partners who can help. Start now: Get Quote Now.

Types of Fit-Out Finance Available

Unsecured Business Loans

Fast to arrange, suitable for smaller fit-outs where directors don’t want to provide property security. Lenders assess credit profile and trading performance.

Secured Loans & Commercial Mortgages

Larger sums backed by property. These often provide lower monthly costs over longer terms but involve asset risk and additional legal work.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Use to fund ovens, refrigeration, bespoke bar fittings or IT. Repayments are tied to the asset and can be structured as hire purchase or finance lease.

Leasehold Improvement Loans

Designed for tenants undertaking landlord-approved works. Lenders may factor lease length and landlord consent into eligibility.

Short-term / Bridge Finance

For urgent projects or staged payments to contractors. Often repaid quickly or rolled into longer-term finance.

If you’re targeting a specific solution, tell us in the enquiry form so we match you with the right specialists: Check Eligibility in Minutes.

Eligibility Snapshot: What Lenders May Look For

Each lender has different criteria, but common considerations include:

• Minimum loan amount (we work with projects from £10,000 upwards);
• Trading history and business structure;
• Annual turnover and cash flow forecasts;
• Profitability or realistic projections for new projects;
• Credit history for the business and sometimes directors;
• Lease length (for tenants) or property ownership details;
• Supplier quotes, project schedule and professional invoices.

Tip: have your contractor quotes, timescales and a simple cashflow plan ready — it speeds up decisions. Submitting an enquiry does not harm your credit score; lenders only carry out hard searches with your consent when you progress an application.

Fit-Out Finance Cost Considerations

Costs vary by lender and product. Expect to see some combination of:

• Interest or finance charges (varies by risk and security);
• Arrangement or facility fees;
• Legal and valuation costs for secured deals;
• Early repayment charges on some products;
• Deposit or staged payments required by suppliers.

Always compare total cost of credit, term length and whether security or personal guarantees are required. Speak to a matched broker for precise illustrations before you decide.

Preparing a Compelling Fit-Out Funding Request

Presenting clear information helps brokers and lenders assess your project quickly. Include:

• Project overview and benefits (increased revenue, efficiencies);
• Detailed cost breakdown and supplier/contractor quotes;
• Timeline and milestones for completion;
• Projected sales uplift or savings from the investment;
• Three to twelve months of business bank statements and recent management accounts;
• Details of any existing borrowing and monthly commitments.

Want help preparing documents? Our matched brokers can advise — start with a Get a No-Obligation Fit-Out Quote.

Case Snapshot: How Brokers Support Fit-Out Scenarios

Independent Café — Rapid Kitchen Upgrade

Challenge: outdated kitchen causing downtime. Solution: short-term asset + unsecured loan to fund new ovens and extraction. Outcome: reduced lead time and improved throughput; lender provided staged payments to supplier.

High Street Retailer — Full Shop Refurb

Challenge: landlord-required works and leasehold improvements. Solution: secured leasehold improvement finance combined with an equipment finance package. Outcome: works completed before peak season; repayments aligned to projected uplift.

Professional Clinic — Compliance & Refurb

Challenge: specialist fittings and ventilation. Solution: commercial lender offering longer-term secured loan, with project management experience recommended by broker. Outcome: compliant premises and predictable repayment schedule.

These are anonymised examples to show typical structures — every case is assessed on its merits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What costs can fit-out finance cover?

Fixtures, joinery, lighting, HVAC, flooring, professional fees, specialist installations, technology, and reasonable contingency costs depending on lender policy.

How long does it take to get finance?

Timescales vary. Some lenders can provide offers within days; larger secured deals may take several weeks for valuations and legal work.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Fast Business Loans’ enquiry is an introducer service and does not trigger a hard credit search. Lenders will only request hard checks with your consent when you choose to proceed.

Do I need security or personal guarantees?

Some products require security (property or assets) or director guarantees, while unsecured loans and asset finance may avoid property security. This depends on the lender and loan size.

Can I combine fit-out finance with grants or VAT schemes?

Yes — many businesses use a combination of finance, grants or VAT deferral/loans. Tell us about any grants you’re pursuing so we match you to appropriate partners.

Do you arrange loans under £10,000?

We typically work with projects of £10,000 and above. If your requirement is below that, please contact a local adviser for microfinance options.

Still have a question? Start Your Enquiry and a specialist will be in touch.

Ready to Explore Fit-Out Finance?

Fast Business Loans will connect you with the right lenders or brokers for your fit-out project — quickly, securely and at no cost to you. Complete our short form and get matched to qualified partners who can provide tailored quotes.

Get Started Free Eligibility Check — free, no obligation. We act as an introducer, not a lender. Eligibility and terms depend on each lender’s assessment.