Fit-Out Finance: Fast, Fair Funding for Your Next Refurbishment

Summary: If your UK business needs funding for a shop, office or hospitality fit-out, Fast Business Loans helps you find the right lenders and brokers quickly. We do not lend — we match your enquiry (not an application) to suitable providers who will contact you with quotes. Typical funding starts at £10,000 and above. Ready to see options? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

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

Fit-out finance covers the cost of transforming commercial space from shell to operational. Projects range from basic Cat A works (services and finishes) to Cat B fit-outs (tenant-specific fittings), specialist kitchen installations, signage, lighting, furniture and technology.

Typical circumstances where businesses need fit-out finance:

• Opening a new retail or hospitality site with limited upfront cash.
• Refurbishing an existing branch to refresh the customer experience.
• Upgrading back-of-house facilities (kitchens, HVAC, electrics).
• Refitting office space for hybrid working or better productivity.

Fit-outs often create short-term cashflow pressure: contractors expect staged payments, deposits and retention sums before revenue returns. That’s where tailored finance helps. Remember: our enquiry form is purely to gather details so we can match you with lenders and brokers — it is not a loan application. Free Eligibility Check.

Common fit-out costs (and how finance helps)

Breaking down likely costs helps you plan finance properly. Typical categories include:

• Design & planning: architect, interior designer, drawings, licences.
• Construction & finishes: partitioning, floors, walls, ceilings.
• Mechanical & electrical (M&E): heating, ventilation, lighting, power upgrades.
• Specialist equipment: commercial kitchens, bars, EPOS, IT systems.
• Furniture & fittings: seating, counters, shelving, display units.
• Signage & external works: shopfronts, branding, accessibility works.
• Compliance & safety: fire doors, disabled access, PAT testing.
• Contingency & VAT: typically 10–20% contingency; account for VAT timing in cashflow.

Mini vignette: a high-street café budgeting a £120k refit keeps £12k contingency and uses short-term working capital drawdowns during construction to avoid cashflow gaps. Our lender partners can propose blended options so you preserve working capital while paying contractors on time. Ready to compare options? Get a Fit-Out Funding Quote.

Fit-out finance products we can introduce you to

We match you to lenders and brokers offering a range of products. Which is best depends on project size, security and cashflow needs.

Unsecured business loans for fit-outs

Term loans (6–60 months) for smaller fit-outs. Faster to arrange, no asset security required in many cases — though lenders may ask for personal guarantees on larger amounts. Indicative rates vary and are subject to lender assessment. Discuss Fit-Out Finance Solutions.

Secured fit-out loans

For larger projects, lenders may offer lower-cost facilities secured against property or business assets. These often permit larger sums and longer terms but involve valuation and legal processes.

Asset & equipment finance

Leasing or hire-purchase for kitchens, EPOS, furniture and IT. Spreads cost over the useful life of assets and preserves capital for other uses.

Revolving credit & flexi-loans

Overdraft-style or flexible facilities to manage staged payments during construction — useful where drawdowns and retention payments are needed.

Funding availability and terms depend on lender appetite and your business profile. We’ll introduce you to partners who specialise in your sector to increase the chance of a good match. Start your enquiry.

How the Fast Business Loans matching process works

1. Enquiry form: You complete a short online form — it takes under two minutes and does not affect your credit score. This is not an application; it’s information to match you with suitable providers.
2. Matching: Our platform reviews your needs and connects your details to selected lenders and brokers who can help with fit-out finance.
3. Contact: Brokers/lenders contact you directly to discuss quotes, terms and next steps.
4. Compare & decide: Review offers, choose the right provider and proceed if you’re happy — there’s no obligation to accept any quote.

We handle introductions only and aim to make responses fast. Your data is shared only with relevant partners and used to obtain quotes; you can opt out any time. Start Your Fit-Out Finance Enquiry.

Eligibility snapshot: are you fit-out finance ready?

Typical lender expectations — checklist:

• UK-registered limited company or incorporated entity (we do not arrange sole trader or professions loans).
• Trading history — many lenders support businesses with at least 6–12 months trading; specialist lenders can consider pre-trading franchises or recently incorporated businesses with strong plans.
• Turnover and profitability relative to loan size.
• Director credit records and any CCJs — these affect terms.
• Clear project costs, supplier quotes and a simple business plan or cashflow forecast for larger requests.

Documents that speed up the process:

• Latest management accounts / 12 months bank statements
• Project costings and contractor quotes
• Lease or property details (if applicable)
• Proof of identity and company documents

We can help start-ups and franchises: our broker partners often consider creative solutions for newer businesses. Credit checks only occur if you proceed with a lender. See If You Qualify in 2 Minutes.

Fit-out finance for key sectors we support

We work with lenders and brokers experienced in:

• Hospitality & restaurants: commercial kitchens and ventilation are costly — specialist funders understand supplier timelines and retention payments.
• Retail & leisure: shopfronts, displays and tills — seasonal cashflow is considered when structuring repayments.
• Offices & co-working: open-plan refits, tech and M&E upgrades to support hybrid working.
• Healthcare & clinics: compliance-heavy refurbishments where accredited contractors and equipment finance are critical.

Our panel includes lenders willing to understand specialist needs and to suggest blended solutions (asset finance + term loan) where appropriate. If you’re in any of these sectors, we’ll match you quickly. Match Me with a Fit-Out Finance Specialist.

Cost-control tips to protect your fit-out budget

• Build a realistic contingency (10–20%) into your budget and finance application.
• Use staged drawdowns to match contractor payment milestones — consider a revolving facility for flexibility.
• Vet contractors carefully; ask for references and insurance details.
• Consider mixing finance: asset finance for equipment, a term loan for structural works, and short-term working capital for cashflow during project periods.
• Monitor spend with a simple project tracker and regular updates from your contractor.

If you want help structuring a blended finance plan, we can introduce you to brokers who specialise in project finance. Compare Fit-Out Funding Options.

Success story snapshot

An anonymous example: a three-site café group needed £150,000 to refit two high-street locations plus a central kitchen. By matching them with a broker experienced in hospitality refits, they combined an unsecured term loan for working capital with equipment finance for ovens. Work completed on schedule and cashflow remained positive during ramp-up. Illustrative example — results vary. Interested? Explore Fit-Out Finance Today.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans for fit-out funding

Our value proposition:

• Speed: quick matching means lenders/brokers can respond fast.
• Sector understanding: we connect you with partners who know hospitality, retail and specialist fits.
• Choice: access to a broad panel so you can compare options.
• No cost to you: our service is free and there’s no obligation to proceed.
• Clear process: we introduce you — you decide.

We only ask for essential information up front so your enquiry remains quick and non-binding. Free Fit-Out Finance Eligibility Check.

Fit-out finance FAQs

How much can I borrow for a fit-out project?

Funding typically starts at £10,000 and can range up to several million through our lender partners depending on project scope and security.

How quickly could funds be available?

Smaller unsecured facilities can be arranged in days; larger secured loans take longer due to valuations and legal steps.

Do you support start-ups or pre-trading businesses?

Yes — some broker partners can consider start-ups, franchises and new locations where a strong business case is provided.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — the enquiry is a soft, no-obligation step. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you progress an application with them.

Do I need collateral for fit-out finance?

It depends. Unsecured options exist for smaller sums but larger facilities often require business assets or property as security.

Can I combine fit-out finance with other funding?

Yes — many businesses blend asset finance, invoice finance or working capital loans with fit-out packages to optimise cashflow.

Information is for guidance only; Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers and does not provide regulated financial advice. Eligibility and funding are subject to lender assessment.

Next steps: get your fit-out finance quote

Ready to move forward? Complete a short enquiry — it takes under two minutes and helps us match you to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and discuss terms. This is an information step only, not a loan application, and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Started – Free Eligibility Check

Prefer to talk? If you’d like a phone introduction, complete the enquiry and request a call — our partners will contact you. We’ll only share your details with relevant providers to get the best possible matches for your project.

Fast Business Loans is a trading style of Fast Business Loans. We introduce UK businesses to finance brokers and lenders for fit-out and commercial finance solutions. We do not lend money and do not provide regulated financial advice. Eligibility, rates and terms are subject to lender assessment. Ensure any repayments are affordable before committing.

Internal resource: for more detail on specific fit-out funding types see our specialist fit-out finance guidance at fit-out finance.

– What is fit-out finance and what can it cover?
Fit-out finance helps UK businesses fund refurbishments from shell to operational, covering design, construction, M&E, equipment, furniture, signage, compliance and more.

– How much can I borrow for a fit-out?
Typical packages start from around £10,000 and can extend to several million depending on security, lender appetite and your business profile.

– How quickly could funds be available?
Smaller unsecured loans can complete in days, while larger secured facilities take longer due to valuations and legal checks.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry is a soft, no-obligation step, and credit checks only occur if you choose to proceed with a lender.

– Is the enquiry a loan application?
No, it’s simply information used to match you quickly with suitable UK lenders and brokers who will provide quotes.

– Do I need collateral or a personal guarantee?
Some products are unsecured (often with a personal guarantee) while larger sums usually require business assets or property as security.

– Who is eligible for fit-out finance?
We typically introduce UK-registered limited companies or incorporated entities, with many lenders preferring 6–12 months’ trading and some considering start-ups or franchises with strong plans.

– What documents will I need to provide?
Management accounts or recent bank statements, project costings and contractor quotes, lease/property details, and ID/company documents help speed up decisions.

– Can fit-out finance cover VAT, deposits and staged contractor payments?
Yes—lenders can structure drawdowns to support deposits, staged payments and VAT timing, and may blend term loans with asset or revolving facilities.

– How much does it cost to use Fast Business Loans, and am I obliged to proceed?
Our matching service is free for business owners and there’s no obligation to accept any quote you receive.