Fit-Out Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Options with Fast Business Loans

Summary: Need funding for a shop, office or restaurant refurbishment? Fast Business Loans helps UK companies find fit-out finance from specialist lenders and brokers. We don’t lend — we match your business to suitable providers based on your project, trading history and finance needs. Complete a short enquiry (not an application) for a free eligibility check and tailored introductions. Get Started Free Eligibility Check.

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

Fit-out finance covers the capital required to prepare or refurbish commercial premises so they’re ready for trading. That can mean full shell-and-core to Cat A and Cat B internal works, bespoke shopfitting, or specialist installations for hospitality and healthcare. Typical users include retailers, pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels, leisure operators and companies upgrading offices or warehouses.

Fit-out funding is used when a business needs to:

• Refurbish or redesign interiors to attract customers.
• Install commercial kitchens, heating/ventilation, or specialist fixtures.
• Meet accessibility, health & safety or compliance requirements.
• Manage the cashflow gap between paying contractors and opening or re-opening premises.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: the short enquiry you complete is not a loan application — it helps us match you with the best lenders or brokers for your project. Free Eligibility Check (no obligation).

Common fit-out costs a specialist lender can cover

Specialist fit-out finance can cover a wide range of project costs. Lenders differ on what they’ll include; a broker match helps clarify options for your case.

• Internal construction: partitions, walls, suspended ceilings.
• Flooring, wall finishes, tiling and decoration.
• HVAC, plumbing, electrical works and lighting upgrades.
• Commercial kitchens, refrigeration, extraction systems.
• Furniture, shelving, point-of-sale and display units.
• Signage, shopfronts and external works.
• Accessibility upgrades and compliance-related works.
• Professional fees: architects, surveyors, landlord consent costs (where accepted).

Case vignette: A regional café group needed £75,000 to fit out two new sites and install kitchen equipment. By submitting a single enquiry we introduced them to three brokers with experience in hospitality fit-outs; one broker arranged asset finance for equipment and a secured loan for building works, keeping monthly repayments manageable.

See if your project qualifies – Get Started

Funding routes for fit-out projects (pros, cons & use cases)

Unsecured business loans

Best for established companies with solid trading history who want straightforward cash without providing assets as security. Typical amounts start around £10,000 and can go much higher. Pros: speed and flexibility. Cons: higher rates and lending capped by the borrower’s strength.

Secured fit-out loans

Property- or asset-backed loans can deliver larger sums for major refurbishments. Pros: higher borrowing limits and potentially lower rates. Cons: longer underwriting and requirement to offer security (e.g., a mortgage or charge).

Asset finance & leasing

Spread the cost of kitchen equipment, furniture or specialist installations through hire purchase or leasing. Pros: preserves working capital; VAT can sometimes be managed. Cons: only covers equipment (not construction) unless packaged by a lender.

Invoice & cashflow finance

If you need to bridge cashflow while paying contractors, invoice finance or short-term loans can help. Pros: immediate liquidity. Cons: added fees and usually a short-term solution.

Specialist fit-out packages

Some lenders and brokers offer tailored fit-out packages combining asset and term finance to match project milestones. These niche products are where a broker’s sector knowledge adds most value.

Each route has different eligibility, speed and cost profiles. To explore which combination suits your project, Get Quote Now.

How Fast Business Loans works (4-step process)

1. Complete a short enquiry — tell us about your business, the amount you need (we typically handle loans of £10,000 and above), and project details. This is not an application; it’s to help us match you. Start Your Enquiry.
2. We match you — we select lenders and brokers from our panel who specialise in fit-outs for your sector and project size.
3. Receive responses — one or more partners will contact you to discuss terms, next steps and required documentation.
4. Compare and choose — review offers directly with the lender or broker and proceed if you are happy. There is no obligation to accept any offer.

Our service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed once matched.

Start Your Enquiry – It Takes 2 Minutes

Eligibility snapshot: what lenders look for

Requirements vary by lender and product. Below is a quick checklist to prepare before you enquire:

• Limited company trading history (lenders usually prefer established trading records).
• Clear project budget, contractor quotes and expected completion timeline.
• Evidence of landlord or freeholder consent if works require it.
• Management accounts, bank statements and turnover information.
• Details of any security you can offer (property, equipment) and director credit profiles.

Why a broker match helps: brokers and specialist lenders understand sector risks and can present your case to lenders who are most likely to say yes — increasing speed and approval chances.

Check Your Fit-Out Finance Eligibility

Fit-out finance FAQs

Can I finance both Cat A and Cat B works?

Yes — many lenders will finance Cat A and Cat B works. Exact coverage depends on the lender and product; provide detailed quotes to get accurate matches.

How fast can funds be released through your partners?

Times vary: unsecured loans can be arranged in days, secured facilities and larger packages often take weeks. We’ll match you with partners based on your urgency.

Is a personal guarantee always required?

Not always. Some lenders will ask for director guarantees, particularly where personal credit or small business security is involved. A broker can negotiate terms or find alternatives.

Can start-ups access fit-out funding?

Start-ups may be eligible for some asset finance and specialist packages, but most lenders prefer a trading history. If you’re a new limited company, include strong projections and contractor agreements when enquiring.

Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting the enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run credit checks only when you apply directly to them.

What happens after I submit the form?

We review your details and introduce you to suitable partners. You’ll then hear directly from brokers or lenders to discuss options and next steps.

Are there incentives for green or energy-efficient upgrades?

Yes — some lenders and specialist products prioritise energy-efficient equipment or sustainability upgrades. Mention any green works in your enquiry to be matched appropriately.

Discuss Your Fit-Out Project – Get a Callback

Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans for fit-out funding

• Speed: short enquiry and fast matches to suitable lenders and brokers.
• Sector expertise: partners experienced in retail, hospitality and commercial fit-outs.
• Time saved: we shortlist providers so you don’t have to approach dozens of firms.
• Transparent: we explain next steps and remind you this is an introducer service — not an application.
• Secure: your data is shared only with partners relevant to your enquiry.

Client snapshot (anonymous): a regional retailer used our service to obtain a combined equipment lease and a secured refurbishment loan, enabling a store relaunch while spreading payments to protect cashflow.

Get Matched with Fit-Out Finance Specialists

Responsible funding and transparency statement

Fast Business Loans is an introducer only. We do not provide regulated financial advice and we do not lend. All finance is subject to status and lender assessment — we cannot guarantee approvals. We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading in all communications. If you’re unsure which option suits you, consider independent professional advice before you commit to any product.

Your privacy matters: we handle personal and business data securely and only share it with lenders/brokers relevant to your enquiry.

Ready to explore your options? Complete our secure enquiry form

Start your fit-out finance enquiry

If you need funding from around £10,000 upwards to complete a shop, office or hospitality fit-out, Fast Business Loans can match you to the most appropriate lenders and brokers. Our short enquiry is free, quick and non-binding — it helps us find the right partners so you can compare real offers faster.

Get Your Free Fit-Out Funding Quote

Fast Business Loans is a trading style of Fast Business Loans Ltd. We are not lenders and do not provide financial advice. All finance is subject to status and lender assessment. For full details see our Privacy Policy, Terms and Complaints procedures on the website.

fit-out finance

– What is fit-out finance and when should my business use it?
Fit-out finance is funding to refurbish or prepare commercial premises (shop, office, restaurant, hospitality) for trading, used to cover works from Cat A/Cat B interiors to specialist installations.

– Does Fast Business Loans provide the loan or financial advice?
No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer that offers a free, no‑obligation eligibility check and matches UK businesses with suitable lenders and brokers.

– Will completing the enquiry form affect my credit score?
No, submitting an enquiry with Fast Business Loans is not a loan application and does not impact your credit score; credit checks only occur if you proceed with a lender.

– What costs can fit-out finance cover?
Depending on the lender, it can cover internal construction, flooring and decoration, HVAC, plumbing and electrics, commercial kitchens and refrigeration, furniture and POS, signage, accessibility works, and some professional fees.

– How much can I borrow and what types of finance are available?
Partners typically fund from around £10,000 upward via unsecured business loans, secured fit-out loans, asset finance/leasing, invoice and cashflow finance, or tailored fit-out packages.

– How fast can fit-out funding be released?
Unsecured loans can sometimes complete in days, while secured or larger fit-out packages usually take weeks depending on due diligence and security.

– Do lenders require security or a personal guarantee?
Security is only needed for secured facilities, while some lenders may request a director’s personal guarantee for unsecured loans, which a broker may help negotiate.

– Can start-ups or new limited companies access fit-out finance?
Yes, some options exist — especially asset finance and specialist packages — but most lenders prefer trading history, so include strong projections, quotes, and agreements.

– What eligibility criteria and documents should I prepare?
Lenders commonly look for trading history, management accounts and bank statements, clear budgets and contractor quotes, landlord consent where needed, security details, and director credit profiles.

– How does the Fast Business Loans matching process work?
You submit a short enquiry, we match you with sector‑relevant lenders and brokers, they contact you with options, and you compare offers with no obligation to proceed.