Fit-Out Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: If you’re planning a shop, office or hospitality refurbishment, fit-out finance provides the capital to fund interiors, fixtures, equipment and compliance upgrades. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we quickly match UK limited companies with lenders and brokers who specialise in fit-outs, from unsecured loans and asset finance to hire purchase and commercial property-backed lending. Our enquiry is free, non-obligatory and designed to help you get tailored quotes fast.

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What is fit-out finance?

Fit-out finance covers the costs of turning a bare or outdated commercial space into a functioning, branded area. That can include Category A works (basic services, ceilings, lighting), Category B finishes (partitions, furniture, shopfronts), M&E (heating, ventilation, refrigeration), specialist equipment and compliance upgrades such as fire safety or accessibility works.

Common funding structures include unsecured business loans, secured loans (property or business assets as collateral), hire purchase and leasing for equipment, and blended packages from brokers. Which is best depends on your business size, lease terms, asset needs and cash flow.

Here’s how it works in plain terms: you tell us your project and funding required, we introduce you to specialist lenders or brokers who can assess your case and provide indicative quotes — quickly.

Who uses fit-out finance?

Fit-out finance is used by a wide range of UK businesses undertaking refurbishment or refit projects. Typical sectors include:

Retail and e‑commerce premises

• High-street shops, concessions and pop-ups — new shopfronts, racking, POS systems.

Hospitality and leisure

• Restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels — kitchens, refrigeration, furniture, customer areas.

Offices, clinics and professional premises

• Office refurbishments, co-working fit-outs, dental or medical clinic refits.

Industrial and warehousing

• Racking, mezzanine floors, staff facilities and loading upgrades.

Example projects: new lighting and LED upgrades, fitted kitchens, bespoke counters, HVAC replacement, POS and IT installation, signage and external facade works.

Common fit-out costs you can fund

Some lenders will consider VAT and soft costs on a case-by-case basis. Sustainability upgrades (LED, insulation, EV chargers) are often fundable and can improve long-term running costs.

How Fast Business Loans helps

Fast Business Loans is a free introducer. We don’t provide finance ourselves — we match qualifying businesses to lenders and brokers who specialise in fit-out projects.

Here’s how it works:

1. Complete the short enquiry — basic business details and project value.
2. We match you with the most suitable panel partners based on sector, size and funding amount.
3. Partner brokers/lenders contact you with indicative options and next steps.
4. Choose the quote that fits your needs and proceed to formal application with the lender.

Why it saves time: rather than contacting multiple providers yourself, we direct your enquiry to the right specialists who know fit-outs. For more information on dedicated fit-out lending products, see our guide to fit-out finance.

Get Fit-Out Finance Quotes Now

Mini case (anonymous): a London cafe needed £45,000 for a kitchen and front-of-house refit. After submitting an enquiry the business received three indicative offers within 48 hours; the selected broker completed paperwork and funds were released within three weeks.

Fit-out finance options we can introduce

Unsecured business loans

• Quick to arrange for good credit profiles, from £10,000 upwards.
• Pros: no asset security required. Cons: typically higher rates and shorter terms.
• Ideal for: businesses with strong cashflow and established trading history.

Secured loans or commercial mortgages

• Lower rates available when secured against property or business assets.
• Suitable for larger projects or multi-site expansions.

Asset & equipment finance (leasing, hire purchase)

• Spread the cost of ovens, refrigeration, furniture and IT over terms that match asset life.
• Pros: preserves working capital. Cons: ownership may transfer at end of term.

Invoice finance & merchant cash advances

• Short-term liquidity solutions to bridge cash flow during refurbishment.
• Useful if you need ongoing working capital while fit-out is completed.

Revolving credit & overdrafts

• Flexible facilities for staggered expenditure or contingency spending.

Each option has trade-offs between cost, security and speed. Our partners advise which structure best suits your project and risk appetite.

Eligibility snapshot

Typical requirements partners consider:

• Registered UK limited company or corporate entity (loan sizes start from around £10,000).
• Minimum trading history — varies by lender (some partners help newer businesses with robust plans).
• Turnover and profitability metrics relative to the funding requested.
• Project plan, contractor quotes, lease or property documentation where relevant.
• Business and director credit history (final checks by lenders when applying).

Enquiry via Fast Business Loans is a soft information match — it won’t affect your credit score. If you proceed with a lender, that partner may carry out a hard credit search which will be disclosed to you ahead of time.

Check Your Fit-Out Finance Eligibility in Minutes

Documents & information to prepare

Having these ready speeds up quotes and underwriting:

• Recent accounts or management accounts (12–24 months where available).
• Project plan, contractor/supplier quotes and a budget breakdown.
• Lease agreement or proof of property ownership / landlord consent if required.
• Business bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
• Director ID and proof of address; details of any existing security or charges.

Tip: clear, itemised contractor quotes and a realistic contingency give lenders confidence and may improve terms.

What to expect after you enquire

Typical timeline:

• 0–2 hours: enquiry received; matching begins.
• Within 24–48 hours: one or more partners contact you with indicative options.
• 1–7 days: brokers/lenders request documentation and run affordability checks.
• 1–4 weeks: conditional offers and formal paperwork; funding time depends on product and checks.

Fast Business Loans does not charge businesses for introductions. Partner brokers/lenders will disclose any fees before you commit. Your decision is entirely voluntary; we simply connect you to providers who can help.

Begin Your Fit-Out Funding Enquiry

Responsible borrowing & key considerations

Before borrowing, consider:

• Return on investment — how will the fit-out increase revenue or reduce costs?
• Repayment affordability and impact on cash flow — include seasonal swings and worst-case scenarios.
• Contingency — most projects overrun; plan a 10–20% buffer where possible.
• Term and interest rate — longer terms reduce payments but may cost more overall.

If you’re unsure, discuss affordability and alternatives with the broker or seek independent financial advice. Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser, and we do not guarantee loan approvals.

Success indicators: when fit-out finance makes sense

Fit-out finance is worth considering if:

• You have a clear plan to improve revenues or margins through the investment.
• Your lease or premises offer long-term security (or you own the property).
• You can service repayments without jeopardising day‑to‑day operations.
• Sustainability upgrades produce measurable operating cost savings or qualify for incentives.

Why choose Fast Business Loans for fit-out funding?

• Speed: quick matching to lenders and brokers who handle fit-outs.
• Specialist partners: we introduce providers with sector experience.
• Free and non-obligatory: you pay nothing to submit an enquiry.
• From £10,000 upwards: we focus on meaningful commercial funding levels.

Talk to Fit-Out Finance Specialists

Frequently asked questions about fit-out finance

How quickly can fit-out finance be arranged?

Speed varies by product. Unsecured loans and asset finance can be arranged in days to a few weeks; secured and larger commercial facilities may take several weeks. Our introductions typically yield initial responses within 24–48 hours.

Do I need security or a deposit?

Not always. Unsecured loans do not require assets but often cost more. Larger or lower-risk loans may require property or asset security and sometimes a deposit; brokers will advise based on your profile.

Can finance cover soft costs like design fees and permits?

Some lenders will consider soft costs; others prefer to fund tangible assets and works. This depends on the lender’s policy — we’ll match you to partners likely to consider soft cost elements.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit. If you proceed with a lender, they will inform you whether a hard credit check is required.

What loan amounts are available?

Our partners arrange fit-out finance from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on project scale and business profile.

Can I refinance an existing fit-out loan?

Yes — refinancing or restructuring is common. If refinancing improves cash flow or reduces cost, our partners can advise on suitable options.

Ready to get tailored quotes?

Complete our short, free enquiry and we’ll match your business with lenders and brokers who specialise in fit-outs. It takes less than two minutes and there’s no obligation.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or offer financial advice. Enquiries are free and non-obligatory. Partner lenders or brokers may charge fees or perform credit checks if you choose to proceed; any such fees or checks will be clearly disclosed before commitment.

1) What is fit-out finance for UK businesses?
It’s funding to refurbish or refit commercial premises—covering interiors, fixtures, equipment, M&E and compliance upgrades for shops, offices, restaurants and more.

2) How does Fast Business Loans help with fit-out finance?
We’re a free introducer that matches your enquiry to specialist UK lenders and brokers who provide tailored quotes quickly.

3) How fast can I get fit-out finance?
You’ll typically receive indicative options within 24–48 hours, with unsecured or asset finance often completing in days and larger secured facilities taking a few weeks.

4) Is your enquiry an application?
No—the enquiry is a quick information capture so we can match you with suitable lenders and brokers, who then guide the formal application if you choose to proceed.

5) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry won’t affect your credit score; a hard check may only occur later if you proceed with a chosen lender.

6) What finance options are available for a fit-out?
Partners can offer unsecured business loans, secured loans or commercial mortgages, asset and equipment finance (hire purchase/leasing), invoice finance, merchant cash advances and revolving credit.

7) How much can I borrow for a fit-out?
Typical facilities start from around £10,000 and can reach several million, depending on your project, financials and security.

8) Do I need security or a deposit for fit-out finance?
Unsecured options require no asset security but may cost more, while larger or lower-rate facilities can require property or asset security and sometimes a deposit.

9) What costs can fit-out finance cover?
Funding can include Category A/B works, M&E, fixtures and fittings, specialist equipment, signage and, case-by-case, VAT and soft costs like design fees and permits.

10) What documents do lenders usually ask for?
Have recent accounts or managements, 3–6 months of bank statements, a project plan with itemised quotes, lease or ownership details, and director ID ready to speed things up.