Fit-Out Finance: Compare UK Lenders With Fast Business Loans

Summary: Need funding to fit out a shop, office, restaurant or other commercial space? Fit-out finance covers contractor fees, fixtures, furnishings and equipment from around £10,000 up to multi-site rollouts. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we rapidly match your business with the most suitable lenders and brokers so you can get quotes fast. Complete our Free Eligibility Check to be introduced to lenders who can provide quotes and next steps.

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Table of Contents

• What is Fit-Out Finance?
• Why Businesses Use Fit-Out Funding
• How Fit-Out Finance Works (Products Compared)
• Costs to Budget For
• Eligibility & What Lenders Look For
• Fast Business Loans 4-Step Process
• Typical Timeline
• Industry-Specific Insights
• Case Snapshots
• Fit-Out Finance FAQs
• Why Choose Fast Business Loans
• Get Started

What is Fit-Out Finance?

Fit-out finance is commercial funding that helps businesses pay for interior works and associated equipment when opening, relocating or refurbishing premises. Typical uses include shop fronts, CAT A/B fit-outs, kitchen and catering installs, electrical & mechanical upgrades, lighting, flooring, signage, and furniture & fixtures.

Loan sizes commonly handled by the market start from around £10,000 and can extend to several hundred thousand pounds (and higher for multi-site programmes). Terms and structures vary: short-term unsecured loans, asset finance and hire purchase for equipment, or larger secured facilities for property-backed projects.

Curious about the details of a commercial fit-out? Read more about fit-out finance to plan your project and budget effectively: fit-out finance.

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Why Businesses Use Fit-Out Funding

• Launch a new retail or hospitality site without draining working capital.
• Rebrand or refresh to improve customer experience and sales.
• Upgrade to meet regulatory or accessibility requirements.
• Buy specialist equipment (kitchens, extract systems, medical fittings) via asset finance or hire purchase.
• Manage contractor staged invoices with staged drawdown facilities.

Here’s the catch: contractors often require deposits and payment milestones. Securing funding early locks in suppliers and pricing — avoiding delays or lost openings.

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How Fit-Out Finance Works (Products Compared)

There are several common funding routes. The right mix depends on project size, security available and business profile.

Many lenders support staged drawdowns so contractors are paid directly at agreed milestones. VAT can often be included in the funding request — discuss options with your broker or lender.

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Costs to Budget For

Typical budget lines for a commercial fit-out:

• Design & professional fees (architect, M&E, CDM planning)
• Construction & contractor costs (building works)
• Fixtures, fittings & furniture (FF&E)
• Specialist equipment (catering, medical, lab, retail display)
• IT, security, POS systems
• Permits, compliance and contingency (usually 5–15%)

Pro tip: get at least two detailed contractor quotes before applying — lenders commonly ask for quotes and a simple project plan.

Download the Fit-Out Budget Checklist (via Enquiry)

Eligibility & What Lenders Look For

Lenders evaluate the business and the project. Typical criteria include:

• Trading history and turnover — many lenders prefer established trading, but options exist for limited companies with strong projections.
• Profitability or management accounts for recent months.
• Director credit profiles and experience in the sector.
• Clear project plan, supplier/contractor quotes and timescale.
• Security offered for larger facilities (debentures, property charge).

Documentation lenders usually request:

• Latest company accounts (or management accounts)
• Bank statements (3–6 months)
• Contractor quotes and project plan
• Photo ID for directors

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Fast Business Loans — Our 4-Step Process

1. Complete a short enquiry form — takes under 2 minutes. This is not an application; it helps us match you to suitable lenders.
2. We review & match your request to selected brokers and lenders who know your sector.
3. You’ll receive contact from one or more partners with tailored quotes and next steps.
4. Decide and proceed directly with the lender. We are introducers only — there’s no obligation and no cost to you for the introduction.

Initial enquiries do not affect your credit score. Offers are always subject to lender assessment and terms.

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Typical Timeline — From Brief to Opening Day

Timings vary by product and lender, but a common timeline looks like this:

• Week 0: Agree scope and get contractor quotes.
• Week 1: Submit enquiry to Fast Business Loans.
• Within 24–72 hours: Lenders/brokers contact you for clarification.
• Week 2–4: Formal offers and documentation exchange (quicker for unsecured / asset finance).
• Week 3–6+: Funding released and contractor payments begin.

If you need funding extremely quickly, note which lenders specialise in fast unsecured facilities and communicate your deadline on the enquiry form.

Industry-Specific Fit-Out Insights

Retail

Retailers often finance shop fronts, racking, tills and initial stock. Seasonal openings demand early funding to secure contractors and permit timeslots.

Hospitality & Restaurants

Kitchen equipment can be expensive — asset finance or blended packages reduce upfront cost. Catering installs, ventilation and extraction often influence lender appetite.

Offices & Workspaces

Office refurbishments may focus on CAT A/B works, M&E upgrades and IT fit-outs. Lenders will want to see tenancy agreements for leased premises.

Hospitality Fit-Out Quote | Office Refurb Finance Options

Case Snapshots

Example 1 — Independent café: Project cost £85,000 (kitchen + seating). Unsecured loan + asset finance for kitchen equipment secured in 10 days; café opened on schedule.

Example 2 — Multi-site retailer: £250,000 staged rollout across five sites. Secured facility arranged with staged drawdowns aligned to contractor milestones; average completion per site: 6 weeks.

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Fit-Out Finance FAQs

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

Through our lender panel you can access funding from around £10,000 upwards. The upper limit depends on trading history, security and project scope.

Can I finance furniture, fixtures and equipment together?

Yes. Many packages combine unsecured loans for works with asset finance or hire purchase for equipment, giving a single monthly cost for easier budgeting.

How quickly can fit-out finance be approved?

Initial lender introductions typically happen within hours of enquiry. Smaller unsecured and asset finance deals can complete within a few days; larger secured facilities may take several weeks.

Do lenders require security?

Security depends on loan size and profile. Unsecured options exist for smaller amounts, while larger loans commonly require debentures, charges or guarantees.

Is my enquiry an application?

No. The enquiry form is purely to match you with suitable lenders and brokers. It does not commit you to any product and does not itself trigger a credit search.

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Why Choose Fast Business Loans for Fit-Out Funding?

• Speed: quick matching to lenders who specialise in fit-outs.
• Specialist panel: lenders and brokers experienced in retail, hospitality and commercial refurbishments.
• Free & no obligation: our service is free to businesses — we introduce you, you decide.
• Simple process: short enquiry, fast matches and clear next steps.

Talk to a Fit-Out Finance Specialist

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender. Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee finance; all offers are subject to lender terms and credit checks. Information provided is for guidance only.

– What is fit-out finance? Fit-out finance is commercial funding for UK businesses to pay for interior works and equipment when opening, relocating or refurbishing premises.
– How much can I borrow for a shop, office or restaurant fit-out? Funding typically starts from around £10,000 and can extend to several hundred thousand pounds or more depending on trading history, security and project scope.
– How fast can I get fit-out finance? Introductions usually happen within hours, with smaller unsecured or asset finance completing in days and larger secured facilities taking a few weeks.
– What can fit-out finance cover? It can cover contractor fees, CAT A/B works, M&E upgrades, flooring, lighting, signage, furniture and fixtures, POS/IT and specialist equipment.
– Do lenders require security or guarantees? Smaller amounts may be offered unsecured (often with director guarantees), while larger loans commonly require a debenture or property security.
– Can VAT, deposits and staged contractor invoices be funded? Many lenders allow VAT to be included and support staged drawdowns so contractors are paid at milestones.
– What documents do I need for eligibility? Lenders usually request recent accounts or management accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, contractor quotes, a simple project plan and director ID.
– Will submitting the Fast Business Loans enquiry affect my credit score? No—your enquiry is not an application and doesn’t affect your credit score, with credit checks only if you proceed with a lender.
– Can start-ups or new sites get fit-out finance? While many lenders prefer some trading history, options exist for limited companies with strong projections and relevant sector experience.
– How does Fast Business Loans work and what does it cost? We’re an introducer that matches you free of charge with suitable UK lenders and brokers, with no obligation to proceed after you receive quotes.