What is fit-out finance and how does it work?

Fit-out finance is a way to fund the works required to make premises ready for trading. That might be shopfitting, a restaurant kitchen and front-of-house refurbishment, an office interior redesign, or a hotel room upgrade. Finance covers all or part of the project costs — from contractors’ fees and materials to fixtures, furniture and specialist equipment.

Typical fit-out stages include:

• Shell & core (structural and basic services)
• CAT A (basic finishes, mechanical/electrical services)
• CAT B (tenant or operator-specific fit-out such as partitions, joinery, FFE)

Use cases for fit-out finance include:

• Shop shelving, signage and point-of-sale installation
• Restaurant kitchens, refrigeration and extraction systems
• Office partitions, desks, meeting-room build-outs and AV systems
• Hotel or B&B refurbishments, en-suite upgrades and furniture
• Leasehold improvements and landlord works where tenant contribution is needed

If you’re ready to see which lenders or brokers can help, complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match your business to suitable partners.

Free Eligibility Check — Get started

Fit-out finance options we can introduce

We work with partners who offer a range of products. Below are the typical options you’ll see for fit-out projects, together with what they usually suit.

Unsecured business loans for fit-out projects

Unsecured loans are often the fastest route for smaller fit-outs where personal or business assets aren’t used as security. Typical loan sizes start around £10,000 and can go up to several hundred thousand pounds depending on lender. Terms commonly run from 1 to 5 years.

Pros: quick decision times, no asset charges. Cons: higher interest rates than secured options; lending criteria tighter for larger amounts.

Secured fit-out loans and asset-backed funding

Secured facilities can offer lower rates and larger sums by taking a charge over commercial property, fixtures or plant. These are suitable for major refurbishments or multi-site roll-outs where larger funding is required.

Hire purchase & leasing for fit-out equipment

If a large portion of your project cost is equipment — kitchens, refrigeration, AV — hire purchase and leasing spread the cost while preserving capital. Ownership terms vary between leasing and HP.

Merchant cash advance

For retail or hospitality businesses with strong card takings, merchant cash advances provide up-front funds repaid as a percentage of daily card receipts. They are flexible on repayment but can be expensive for long terms.

Invoice finance

If you have outstanding customer invoices, invoice finance can release cash to cover ongoing project costs while you wait for payment.

Quick comparison (typical):

Get matched with fit-out finance specialists

Who we help

We introduce businesses across the UK to lenders and brokers experienced with fit-outs. Typical sectors include:

• Retail stores & boutiques — shelving, tills, branding and lighting.
• Restaurants, cafés & bars — commercial kitchens, extraction, front-of-house.
• Hotels & hospitality — bedrooms, receptions and FFE.
• Offices & co-working — partitions, IT, meeting rooms.
• Gyms & leisure facilities — specialist surfaces, changing rooms and equipment.
• Healthcare clinics — compliant finishes and equipment installations.

“Fast Business Loans saved us weeks of searching — we were matched with a broker who understood hospitality refurbishments and helped get the right funding in place.” — UK restaurant owner

For industry-specific explanations and examples of how fit-out funding can be structured, see our dedicated fit-out finance guide.

Learn more about fit-out finance

Start your fit-out funding enquiry

Why use Fast Business Loans for your fit-out project?

1. Wide panel of specialist partners — one quick enquiry connects you to lenders and brokers who understand fit-outs.
2. Save time — avoid endless applications; we match you to the right people fast.
3. No upfront fees — our matching service is free and no obligation.
4. Compare multiple options — review offers and choose the structure that suits your cashflow and project schedule.
5. Support for staged funding — many lenders can draw funds in phases to match project milestones.

Book a free fit-out finance call

How our fit-out finance enquiry process works

1. Tell us about your project

Complete a short enquiry form with basic business, project and funding details — this takes around 2 minutes. We accept enquiries for projects from about £10,000 upwards.

2. We match you to trusted lenders and brokers

We select partners from our panel who are most likely to be able to help based on sector, loan size and project type. We only share your details with relevant partners to speed responses.

3. Discuss your fit-out plan

Matched lenders or brokers will contact you to review contractor quotes, timescales and any security requirements.

4. Choose the offer that fits

Compare proposals side-by-side. There’s no obligation to accept any offer — Fast Business Loans simply introduces you to potential providers.

5. Fund and complete your renovation

Once you accept an offer, lenders will work to schedule drawdowns to match project milestones so contractors are paid on time.

Complete your free eligibility check now

Fit-out project finance checklist for UK SMEs

Preparing key documents speeds the matching and underwriting process.

Financial snapshot

• Latest management accounts (or annual accounts)
• Cashflow forecast including the fit-out period
• Details of existing business loans and monthly repayments

Project details

• Contractor quotes and scope of works
• Design plans and project schedule
• Breakdown of labour vs materials vs equipment costs

Business background

• Trading history and company details
• Lease agreement or proof of property control (if applicable)
• Evidence of customer demand or pre-bookings for hospitality projects

We treat your data with care and only share it with the partners most likely to help your business.

Upload your fit-out details securely

Fit-Out Finance FAQs

Can start-ups apply for fit-out finance?

Yes — some lenders and specialist brokers consider newer businesses where there is a strong plan and experienced management. We’ll match you to partners who understand start-up risk profiles.

How much can I borrow for a shop or restaurant fit-out?

Amounts typically start around £10,000 for smaller refreshes and can exceed £1m+ for larger or multi-site projects. Exact limits depend on turnover, assets and lender criteria.

Will any lender require personal security?

Security requirements vary. Unsecured loans usually avoid asset charges but may require personal guarantees for larger sums. Secured facilities commonly require a charge on property or assets.

Can one facility cover design, furniture and technology?

Yes — many fit-out facilities can be structured to include design fees, furnishings, specialist equipment and installations in a single facility. Your matched broker will advise on the best structure.

How quickly can I receive funding?

Simple unsecured facilities can sometimes be agreed within a few days of providing documents. Secured or larger loans typically take longer due to valuations and legal processes.

Will checking eligibility affect my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform full credit checks later if you choose to proceed with an application.

Speak to a fit-out finance specialist

Get started with fit-out finance today

Refurbishing or fitting out premises is an investment in your brand and customer experience. Fast Business Loans makes it quicker to find appropriate funding by introducing you to lenders and brokers who understand your project. There’s no charge to you and no obligation to accept any offer.

Get a Fit-Out Finance Quote Now

If you prefer, call us or email and we’ll guide you through what to expect after you submit the form.

Important information