What is fit-out finance & when does it help?

Fit-out finance is a commercial finance product designed to cover refurbishment and fit-out works on business premises. That includes landlord build-outs, tenant fit-outs (Category A/B), rebrands, new branch openings and compliance upgrades. It’s especially useful where businesses want to complete works quickly but prefer to preserve working capital.

Typical users include retailers, cafés and restaurants, hotels, leisure venues, dental and medical practices, salons, co-working operators and office occupiers. Fit-out finance bridges the gap between project start and the cashflow benefits (or rent/turnover uplift) that follow completion.

Free Eligibility Check — takes less than 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

Typical costs a fit-out loan can cover

• Design and professional fees (architects, M&E specialists)
• Construction and partitioning works
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (M&E)
• Furniture, fittings & equipment (FF&E)
• IT, EPOS, CCTV and telecoms
• Compliance works (fire safety, accessibility)
• Signage, branding and fixtures
• Contingency budgets to keep the project on track

Fit-out finance vs other funding options

Choosing the right funding depends on project scale, urgency and security available.

• Cash reserves: Cheapest if available, but using reserves reduces working capital and flexibility.
• Bank overdraft: Good for small, short-term cashflow needs; rarely best for multi-stage fit-outs.
• Asset finance / hire purchase: Ideal for expensive equipment (kitchen kit, medical devices) rather than construction works.
• Secured property loans: Suitable for larger projects when property can be offered as security.
• Bridging finance: Fast but often more costly; used for tight, short-term funding before longer-term refinance.

Our aim is to match you with the product that balances cost, speed and suitability for your project.

Need a quick fit-out funding quote? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check. No obligation.

How fit-out finance works through Fast Business Loans

1. Submit a short enquiry — tell us about your business, project and funding amount via our quick form.
2. We match you — our platform selects brokers and lenders from our panel who specialise in commercial fit-outs.
3. Partner contact — suitable partners contact you to discuss options, confirm documents and provide quotes.
4. Compare and decide — review offers and choose the best fit. There’s no obligation to proceed.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We make introductions to lenders and brokers so you can get competing quotes quickly.

Eligibility snapshot

While each lender has different criteria, a typical eligibility picture looks like this:

• UK limited companies and partnerships (not sole traders or professional-only loans)
• Minimum loan size typically starts at around £10,000
• Turnover, trading history and sector influence product choice — many lenders support start-ups and expanding SMEs
• Credit profile matters: some specialist lenders consider weaker credit with higher rates or guarantors
• Landlord consent may be required for tenant fit-outs

Required information & documents

Having the right information speeds the process. Prepare:

• Brief project scope and total budget
• Two to three contractor or supplier quotes
• Latest management accounts and 12–24 months of business bank statements
• Cashflow forecast or business plan for the project
• Landlord consent or lease details if applicable
• Director ID and proof of ownership when requested

Timeline: enquiry to decision

Typical timings (subject to complexity):

• Initial match and partner contact: usually within hours to one working day
• Indicative offers: 24–72 hours after partner review
• Full underwriting and documents: 1–3 weeks depending on security and valuations
• Completion and drawdown: often possible within 2–4 weeks for straightforward deals

Complex projects or those requiring property security may take longer. Fast Business Loans helps accelerate introductions so partners can move quickly.

Funding options our partners provide

Unsecured business loans

Good for smaller fit-outs where security is not available. Faster to arrange, amounts typically from £10k up to several hundred thousand, terms 1–5 years.

Secured loans (property-backed)

For larger projects or multi-site roll-outs. Security lowers rates and extends borrowing size — suitable when the business or owner can offer property as collateral.

Asset finance, hire purchase & leasing

Ideal to spread the cost of kitchen equipment, medical devices, furniture or specialist machinery while preserving cashflow.

Bridging finance

Short-term solution to start works quickly before moving to longer-term funding. Fast but typically more expensive.

Our panel covers typical loan sizes from £10,000 up to £5 million and above, with flexible terms to suit project lifecycles.

For a detailed introduction to specialist fit-out products, learn more about our dedicated fit-out finance solutions.

Sample fit-out scenarios & outcomes

1. Independent café refresh

Project cost: £45,000. Solution: unsecured business loan arranged through a broker. Timeline: 10 days to offer, 3 weeks to drawdown. Result: new layout and equipment delivered before busy season, cashflow preserved.

2. Multi-site retailer opening second branch

Project cost: £250,000. Solution: secured loan against property plus asset finance for bespoke shelving. Timeline: 4–6 weeks. Result: store opened on schedule, revenue uplift covered repayments.

3. Medical practice compliance upgrade

Project cost: £120,000. Solution: hybrid package — bridging for immediate works, refinance into longer-term secured facility. Timeline: bridging within 7–10 days. Result: practice met regulatory requirements quickly with minimal disruption.

Ready to explore fit-out funding? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check. We’ll match you with specialist lenders and brokers who understand your sector.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: fast matching to lenders who can act quickly on fit-outs.
• Specialist panel: partners experienced in retail, hospitality, healthcare and office fit-outs.
• Transparent process: free, no-obligation introductions — you decide which offer to accept.
• Data security: we handle your information securely and only share it with matched partners.
• Practical support: introductions to brokers who can help structure staged drawdowns and refinancing plans.

“Fast Business Loans connected us to a broker who understood retail fit-outs — the process was quick and straightforward.” — anonymised client feedback

Fast Business Loans acts only as an introducer. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice.

How we stay clear, fair & not misleading

All communications are designed to be clear and factual. We never promise guaranteed approvals or specific rates. Submitting your enquiry may lead to partner lenders contacting you to progress an application.

Planning a fit-out: checklist before you apply

• Define scope, expected benefit and ROI for the business.
• Obtain multiple contractor quotes and confirm timings.
• Set a project budget with a 10–15% contingency.
• Check VAT implications and how they affect cashflow.
• Secure landlord consent or confirm lease terms.
• Prepare up-to-date financials and a short business plan for lenders.

Fit-out finance FAQs

What is fit-out finance?

Fit-out finance is funding to cover the refurbishment, fit-out or rebrand of commercial premises — from signage to full construction works and equipment.

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

Our partners arrange funding from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, depending on project size and security.

Can new businesses get fit-out funding?

Yes — many lenders and specialist brokers work with start-ups and expanding companies, although requirements vary by lender.

How quickly can I secure fit-out finance?

Initial contact is usually within hours. Indicative offers can arrive in 24–72 hours; completion time depends on underwriting and security requirements.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Partners may perform credit checks later if you proceed.

Are personal guarantees or security required?

Some products require security or personal guarantees (especially larger or secured loans). Options exist that avoid personal guarantees but may have different costs.

Can I combine fit-out finance with asset finance?

Yes — hybrid packages are common: construction funded by a loan and equipment by hire purchase or asset finance.

Does Fast Business Loans charge businesses to be matched?

No — our service is free for businesses. We earn a fee from partners when introductions convert, but there’s no charge to you for the enquiry or matching service.

Start your fit-out funding enquiry

Ready to get matched with specialist lenders and brokers? Complete our short form — it takes under 2 minutes and there’s no obligation. A partner will contact you with tailored options.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Please note: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or regulated adviser. We connect you to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and progress applications directly with your business.