Fit-Out Finance: Fast Funding Introductions for Shop, Office & Hospitality Refurbs
Summary: Fit-out finance helps UK businesses fund refurbishments, shop or restaurant fit-outs, office refurbishments and compliance upgrades without draining capital. Fast Business Loans connects businesses needing £10,000+ with specialist lenders and brokers who can offer unsecured loans, asset finance, hire purchase, bridging and sector-specific funding. Complete a quick, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll match your business to the best providers for your project so you can compare quotes and decide. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Why Fit-Out Finance Matters for Growing UK Businesses
Refurbishing premises — whether a retail shop, restaurant, office or clinic — can transform customer experience and drive revenue. But fit-outs require upfront capital for design, contractor deposits, fixtures, M&E upgrades and contingency. Fit-out finance preserves your operating cash, spreads cost, and often allows staged payments to suppliers so projects can start sooner.
- Preserve working capital for day-to-day operations
- Pay contractors in stages rather than a single large outlay
- Access specialist lenders who understand sector cycles
- Bridge the gap while you refurbish and re-open
Ready to compare options? Free Eligibility Check — no obligation, takes under 2 minutes.
What Is Fit-Out Finance and How Does It Work?
Fit-out finance is a collective name for funding products designed to cover the costs of refurbishing or fitting-out commercial premises. Typical funding routes include unsecured business loans, asset & equipment finance, hire purchase, invoice finance, and short-term bridging where payments are needed up‑front.
Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Instead we match your business to the most suitable lenders and brokers from our panel so you can receive tailored quotes and speak directly with those providers.
Fit-out finance commonly covers:
- Design and project management fees
- Fixtures, fittings and furniture
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical upgrades
- Compliance works (fire, accessibility, extract systems)
- IT, EPOS and kitchen equipment
Fit-Out Funding Options We Can Help You Explore
Unsecured Fit-Out Loans (from £10,000 upwards)
Quick to access and flexible for a wide range of costs. Typically suitable for businesses with trading history and demonstrable turnover. Rates and terms vary by lender.
Asset & Equipment Finance
Ideal when major equipment (kitchen, HVAC, lifts) forms part of the fit-out. Repay over the useful life of the asset; can be tax-efficient and preserves cash.
Hire Purchase & Lease Purchase
Pay for key items in instalments; ownership transfers on final payment (hire purchase) or via purchase options. Useful where equipment is central to operations.
Short-Term Bridging & Revolving Credit
For tight timescales or when invoices/stock need to be financed during a refit. These are usually short-term and costlier — best used for short gaps.
Landlord & Landlord-Partner Structures
Some schemes allow landlords to share fit-out costs or provide rent-free periods tied to refurbishment. These solutions can reduce upfront cash requirements but depend on lease negotiation.
Compare options now: Get Quote Now — we’ll match you to lenders/brokers who specialise in fit-outs.
Sector-Specific Fit-Out Support
Different sectors have different priorities and cost profiles. Our panel contains lenders experienced in these areas:
- Retail: shopfronts, shelving, lighting and drainage
- Hospitality & Restaurants: kitchens, extraction, flooring, bar fit-outs
- Offices: refurbishment, M&E, desks and collaboration spaces
- Healthcare & Clinics: compliance works, medical fixtures, air handling
- Hotels & Leisure: rooms, reception, back-of-house upgrades
- Franchises & Multi-site: roll-out finance for consistent brand refits
For specialist projects you may also find our guidance on fit-out finance useful as a starting point.
Case Snapshots: Fit-Out Finance Introductions in Action
Independent Retailer Fit-Out — £120,000
Challenge: Rapid store revamp required before seasonal peak. Solution: Matched with a broker offering a blended package of asset finance and an unsecured loan to cover fixtures and flooring. Outcome: Work completed on schedule; retailer kept cash reserves intact.
Multi-Site Restaurant Refresh — £350,000
Challenge: Roll-out across five sites with staggered timings. Solution: Introduced to a lender offering multi-site structured funding with staged draws and seasonal flexibility. Outcome: Consistent redesign delivered, revenues uplifted after reopening.
Dentist Surgery Compliance Upgrade — £75,000
Challenge: Urgent compliance works with specialist equipment. Solution: Broker introduced a short-term bridging loan that covered contractor deposits and equipment hire purchase. Outcome: Compliance achieved quickly; repayments structured to match cashflow.
If you’d like to discuss similar solutions, Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.
The Fast Business Loans Process for Fit-Out Projects
- Enquiry: Complete our short enquiry. This is not an application — it helps us understand your business and project.
- Matching: We select lenders/brokers from our panel who specialise in your sector and deal size.
- Introductions: Partners contact you directly to discuss terms and next steps.
- Compare & Proceed: You decide which quote fits best. Fast Business Loans does not charge you — our service is free.
We handle your details carefully and only share information with selected partners to keep the process simple and secure. Free Eligibility Check
What Lenders Consider: Eligibility & Documentation Checklist
Typical information lenders request:
- Company details (registered name, trading address)
- Trading history and turnover figures
- Profit & loss or management accounts
- Project plan, supplier quotes and contractor estimates
- Landlord consent or lease details (where relevant)
- Details of existing borrowing
- Director/owner information and UTRs where required
Decisions, affordability checks and security requirements are made by the lender. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. If you proceed, lenders may run credit checks.
Comparing Fit-Out Finance With Other Funding Routes
| Product Type | Typical Use | Loan Size | Security | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-Out Loans (unsecured) | General refurbishment costs | £10k – £500k+ | Usually unsecured | Flexible, quick | Higher rates than secured lending |
| Asset/Equipment Finance | Kitchen, HVAC, specialist equipment | £10k – £1m+ | Secured on asset | Spreads cost over life of asset | Asset may be repossessed if default |
| Bridging | Short-term contractor deposits | £25k – £2m | Typically secured | Rapid access to cash | Higher fees and rates |
| Overdraft/Bank Loan | Short-term working capital | Varies | Varies | Familiar product | May be slow or require security |
Need help choosing? Get Quote Now and compare matched options.
Budgeting for a Successful Fit-Out: Key Cost Drivers
Key items to budget for:
- Design and planning fees (5–10%)
- Construction and M&E works (40–60%)
- Fixtures, FF&E (10–25%)
- Compliance & specialist systems (5–15%)
- Contingency (typically 5–15%)
Always secure supplier quotes and a realistic contingency. If you want tailored numbers based on your brief, Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fit-Out Finance Introductions
How quickly can a fit-out finance deal be arranged?
After you submit an enquiry, introductions to suitable brokers or lenders usually happen within hours during business days. Final approval and funds release depend on lender checks and can range from a few days to several weeks.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit searches only if you choose to proceed with an application.
Can funding cover design and project management fees?
Yes — many providers will include soft costs such as design, project management and professional fees as part of the funding package, subject to lender terms.
Are there fees payable to Fast Business Loans?
No. Our service is free for businesses. Fast Business Loans receives revenue only when a business completes a lead introduction and the provider compensates us. You pay any lender or broker fees directly to those providers under their terms.
More questions? Free Eligibility Check and a partner will contact you.
Schema & Contact
Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses requiring £10,000+ for fit-outs with suitable lenders and brokers. We are an introducer only and do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Complete our quick enquiry and we’ll match you with partners who can provide quotes and next steps.
Start your enquiry: Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Disclaimer: Introductions only. Fast Business Loans does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Finance decisions, offers, rates and terms are made by the lender or broker and are subject to status and affordability checks.
– What is fit-out finance and how does it work?
Fit-out finance helps UK businesses spread the cost of refurbishing shops, offices or hospitality venues using products like unsecured loans, asset finance, hire purchase or bridging, and Fast Business Loans matches you with suitable lenders/brokers to compare quotes.
– How fast can I get funding for a refurbishment?
After a quick enquiry, introductions typically happen within hours and, subject to lender checks, funds can be released in a few days to several weeks.
– How much can I borrow for a shop, office or hospitality fit-out?
Our partners can help from £10,000, with unsecured options often up to £500k+ and higher amounts available via asset finance or bridging subject to status.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score; credit checks occur only if you proceed with a lender.
– What costs can fit-out finance cover?
Funding can include design and project management, fixtures and furniture, M&E upgrades, compliance works, IT/EPOS and kitchen or specialist equipment.
– Do you lend directly or give financial advice?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with specialist UK lenders and brokers so you can compare no-obligation quotes.
– Is fit-out funding secured or unsecured?
Many fit-out loans are unsecured, while asset purchases are commonly secured on the equipment and bridging finance usually requires security.
– What rates and terms can I expect?
Rates and terms vary by lender, sector and risk profile, with options to align repayments to cash flow or the useful life of the asset.
– What eligibility and documents do lenders typically require?
Lenders usually ask for company details, trading history and accounts, a project plan with supplier quotes, lease/landlord consent if relevant, existing borrowing, and director information.
– Are there any fees to use Fast Business Loans?
No—our service is free to use, and any fees apply only from the lender or broker you choose under their terms.
