Fit‑Out Finance for UK Businesses — Compare Shop, Office & Hospitality Refurbishment Funding

Summary: Fit‑out finance helps businesses spread the cost of refurbishing commercial premises — from shop fronts and restaurant kitchens to office reconfigurations. Fast Business Loans does not lend money; we introduce limited companies and incorporated businesses (loans from £10,000+) to vetted brokers and lenders best placed to fund your project. Completing our enquiry is free, non‑binding and will not affect your credit score. Start a Free Eligibility Check to get matched quickly.

What is fit‑out finance & who uses it?

Fit‑out finance covers funding for the work that makes a commercial space ready to trade. This includes Cat A and Cat B fit‑outs, bespoke joinery, mechanical and electrical installs, kitchens, bar fit‑outs, signage, flooring, and specialist fixtures. Typical users are retailers, restaurants and pubs, hotels, leisure operators, clinics, and office occupiers preparing new or refurbished premises.

Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer — we match your business with lenders or brokers who specialise in commercial fit‑outs. Submitting an enquiry is not an application; it simply lets us find the best partners to contact you with options.

Why UK businesses seek fit‑out funding

• Protect cashflow: avoid draining reserves at launch or during peak trading seasons.
• Meet deadlines: landlords often require fit‑outs completed by handover dates.
• Spread capital costs: preserve working capital while upgrading premises.
• Stage projects: fund phased works or multiple sites without one large capital outlay.

If you need finance before a handover or to accelerate a launch, complete a quick enquiry for a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to suitable partners: Free Eligibility Check.

Fit‑out finance options available through our panel

Our panel includes brokers and lenders offering a range of products. Below are the common solutions you’ll be introduced to — each has benefits and trade‑offs.

Unsecured business loans

• Typical for medium-value fit‑outs when directors prefer no security over assets or property.
• Loan sizes commonly from £10,000 upwards; terms often 12–60 months.
• Faster decisions but rates reflect higher lender risk.

Secured loans & commercial mortgages

• Suitable for larger projects where property or other assets can be offered as security.
• Enables higher borrowing amounts and often lower rates, but involves security and longer paperwork.

Asset finance, hire purchase & leasing

• Spread cost of specialist equipment, kitchen kit, fixtures or furniture via HP or finance lease.
• Useful when equipment is a major portion of costs; often structured so payments align with cashflow.

Bridging & revolving facilities

• Short‑term bridging for staged works or to cover timing gaps; overdrafts or revolving credit for ongoing site rollouts.
• Typically higher cost but flexible for short periods.

Note: rates, terms and eligibility are set by lenders. Fast Business Loans introduces you — the matched lenders/brokers provide quotes and full terms.

How our fit‑out finance matching service works

1. Complete a short enquiry form outlining your business, project costs and contact details — it takes a few minutes.
2. We review and match you with specialist brokers and lenders who understand your sector and project size.
3. Partners contact you to request documentation and deliver personalised quotes.
4. You compare offers, choose the best fit and progress directly with that lender or broker.

Submitting an enquiry is free and will not affect your credit file. Start now with a Get Quote Now Free Eligibility Check.

Preparation checklist before you enquire

Having the right information ready speeds decisions. Typical documents and details lenders request include:

• Basic company & director details, recent management accounts or bank statements.
• Brief project plan and timeline, contractor/supplier quotes or drawings.
• Lease details and landlord permission (if required) or evidence of property ownership.
• Estimated total project cost and preferred term or monthly budget.

Tip: get two or three supplier quotes and include a contingency (typically 10%) in your funding request to avoid under‑borrowing.

How lenders assess fit‑out finance applications

Lenders examine commercial viability and risk. Key assessment areas:

• Trading performance — turnover, gross margin and recent accounts or cashflow forecasts.
• Experience and management capability — are operators experienced in the sector?
• Security and existing borrowing — what assets are available and what debt sits on them?
• Project realism — credible contractor quotes, timeline and ROI assumptions.

Addressing these points in your initial enquiry improves matching accuracy and speeds responses.

Costs & repayments — what to expect

Fit‑out finance costs vary with product, security, credit profile and lender. Indicative guidance:

• Annual percentage rates can range widely — lower rates where security exists; unsecured options carry higher charges.
• Typical loan terms: 12–60 months for unsecured loans; longer terms possible against property security.
• Possible fees: arrangement, broker, valuation and early‑repayment charges — confirm all fees with the lender.

Fast Business Loans’ role is to introduce you to lenders who will provide precise costings once they have full information.

Case snapshots: fit‑out finance in action

Below are anonymised examples showing how different solutions work in practice.

Case 1 — Boutique café (Retail/Hospitality)
Requirement: £45,000 to complete kitchen, service counter and seating before a planned opening. Solution: unsecured business loan arranged via a specialist hospitality broker; decision in 48 hours; staged drawdown to match contractor payments. Outcome: café opened on time; monthly repayments aligned with forecast cashflow.

Case 2 — Regional office fit‑out (Office)
Requirement: £120,000 to convert a floor into co‑working and meeting rooms. Solution: secured loan against freehold offered better rate. Outcome: longer term borrowed cost reduced monthly burden and preserved operating capital for recruitment.

Want to see what you could qualify for? Complete a quick enquiry — it’s free and non‑binding: Start My Free Eligibility Check.

FAQs about fit‑out finance

What is the minimum loan size you can help with?

Fast Business Loans introduces businesses seeking funding from £10,000 and upwards. If your project is below that threshold, let us know and we’ll advise on likely options.

Will making an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit file. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you choose to progress with an offer.

How quickly will lenders get in touch?

Many brokers and lenders respond within hours during business days. Speed depends on documentation readiness and the product type.

Do you provide quotes directly?

No — we introduce you to lenders and brokers who will provide quotes. The enquiry form is not an application; it helps us match you to the most suitable partners.

Do I need landlord permission before applying?

Some lenders will ask for evidence of landlord consent before completing finance for leasehold fit‑outs. Where required, it’s best to have a licence to alter or written permission available.

Can I finance both fit‑out works and equipment in one package?

Yes — many brokers combine project refurbishment and equipment into a single funding package using a blend of asset finance and term lending.

Ready to get matched to fit‑out lenders & brokers?

Keep your launch timeline on track. Fast Business Loans will match your business to brokers and lenders experienced in fit‑outs so you can compare quotes quickly. Our service is free and without obligation — completing the enquiry is not an application and won’t affect your credit score.

Get Your Free Fit‑Out Finance Match — Start My Free Eligibility Check

Important information: Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to brokers and lenders; we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to lender checks, terms and conditions and affordability criteria. Completing an enquiry may result in contact from brokers or lenders. Fees and charges vary by provider — please confirm full details directly with any broker or lender you choose to work with.

For more detailed examples of fit‑out lending options and guidance, see our specialist fit‑out finance guide on the site: fit-out finance.

– What is fit-out finance for UK businesses?
Fit-out finance helps you spread the cost of refurbishing commercial premises—covering Cat A/Cat B works, M&E, kitchens, signage, fixtures and furniture—so you can open or upgrade without draining cashflow.

– Who can apply and what’s the minimum loan amount?
UK limited companies and incorporated businesses can be matched for fit-out funding from £10,000 upwards.

– Is your service free and how does the matching work?
Yes—our service is free and non-binding; complete a short enquiry and we’ll introduce you to vetted brokers and lenders who then provide quotes.

– Is the enquiry an application and will it affect my credit score?
No—the enquiry is an information step to enable matching and it won’t affect your credit file, with credit checks only carried out by a lender if you choose to proceed.

– How quickly can I get fit-out funding?
Many partners respond within hours and, with documents ready, funding can often be arranged quickly depending on the product and lender.

– What finance options are available for fit-outs?
You can be matched to unsecured business loans, secured loans/commercial mortgages, asset finance or leasing, and short-term bridging or revolving facilities.

– Do I need to provide security for a fit-out loan?
Not always—unsecured options exist for medium-value projects, while larger or lower-rate facilities may require property or asset security.

– What documents will lenders ask for?
Expect to provide company and director details, recent accounts or bank statements, a brief project plan with contractor quotes, lease details and landlord consent if applicable, and your budget/timeline.

– Do I need landlord permission for a leasehold fit-out?
Many lenders will want evidence of landlord consent (such as a licence to alter) before completing finance on leasehold premises.

– What costs, rates and repayment terms should I expect?
Pricing varies by product, security and credit profile, with unsecured terms often 12–60 months and longer terms possible against property, plus potential arrangement, broker, valuation and early-repayment fees confirmed by the lender.