Fit-Out Finance for UK Businesses

Summary: Need funding to refurbish, refit or upgrade commercial premises? Fit-out finance covers works such as design, construction, fixtures & fittings, kitchens and compliance upgrades. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we quickly match UK limited companies and SMEs seeking £10,000+ with lenders and brokers that specialise in fit-out and refurbishment funding. Complete a Free Eligibility Check and get tailored options fast: Get a Free Fit-Out Finance Quote.

Why Fit-Out Finance Matters for Your Next Refurbishment

Refurbishing premises often sits at the crossroads of opportunity and cost. New leases, rebranding, seasonal launches and compliance works demand capital — capital that could otherwise be used to stock, market or run the business. Self-funding a fit-out can squeeze working capital, delay other investments and increase risk if anticipated revenue uplift is slower than planned.

Fit-out finance solves this by converting a one-off capital spend into predictable repayments. The bottom line? You can complete the project on time, preserve cash for operations, and, in many cases, accelerate the return on investment that a refreshed space delivers.

What Is Fit-Out Finance?

What fit-out finance typically covers

• Design & project management fees
• Construction, carpentry, M&E works
• Furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E)
• Kitchen and specialist equipment for restaurants
• Technology, POS systems and security
• Compliance, accessibility or licensing works
• Contingency budgets and staged payments

Who uses fit-out finance?

Retailers, high street shops, restaurants, bars, offices, healthcare clinics, leisure/hospitality venues and industrial units all fund fit-outs. Lenders and brokers often have sector-specific appetite — which is why matching matters.

Typical structures and terms

Fit-out funding can be unsecured business loans, secured loans against property or equipment, asset finance for FF&E, or flexible facilities like revolving credit. Terms commonly range from 12 to 84 months depending on amount, security and lender. Fast Business Loans helps find the structures suitable to your plan.

Fit-Out Funding Options We Can Introduce

Unsecured business loans for fit-outs

Quick to arrange for well-performing businesses. No asset security required, but amounts are typically tailored to profile and may start from £10,000.

Secured fit-out loans

Lower rates possible when secured against property, machinery or other collateral — suitable for larger refurbishments or multi-site projects.

Asset & equipment finance for interiors

Finance specifically for FF&E, kitchens or tech — often structured as hire purchase or leases tying repayments to the life of the asset.

Revolving credit & overdrafts

Flexible short-term options for phased drawdowns and milestone payments during the build.

Merchant cash advances

Revenue-based finance for hospitality and retail businesses with steady card takings. Repayments flex with sales but can be expensive — useful for quick short-term cash needs.

Invoice finance to support contractors

If you’re a contractor or project manager, invoice discounting can free up cash while awaiting progress payments.

Quick note: each solution has pros and cons — our role is to match your project with lenders/brokers who specialise in that type of funding so you can compare real quotes. Ready to see options? Get Quote Now.

How Fast Business Loans Connects You with the Right Partner

1. Tell us about your project — a short enquiry (under 2 minutes) captures project value, timings and business details.
2. We shortlist lenders and brokers — partners with appetite for your sector and funding size.
3. Receive tailored quotes — brokers/lenders typically reply within hours with options and next steps.
4. Compare and choose — no obligation to proceed; lenders will handle formal applications if you accept an offer.

All matching is free to your business. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Start Your Fit-Out Finance Enquiry.

Fit-Out Finance Eligibility Checklist

Note: lender appetites vary — specialist brokers can broaden approval odds by shopping the right markets.

Tailored Fit-Out Finance by Sector

Retail & high street stores

Focus: display, customer flow and POS. Costs vary by location and finish — budget for merchandising, lighting and back-of-house works. Consider staged funding for multi-site rollouts. Free Eligibility Check

Restaurants, bars & QSR

Focus: kitchens, extraction, flooring, licensing. Equipment finance and asset-backed options work well for costly kitchen installs. Allow time for compliance approvals.

Offices & co-working

Focus: layouts, M&E, IT and sustainability upgrades. Flexible loans or capex finance help fund ergonomic furniture and tech without capital outlay.

Healthcare & clinics

Focus: compliance (CQC), specialist fixtures and HVAC. Lenders look for clear business cases and professional management teams.

Hospitality & leisure

Focus: guest experience and phased refurbishments to maintain trading. Revolving credit or staged drawdowns are often appropriate.

Industrial & warehousing

Focus: mezzanines, racking, HVAC and power upgrades. Asset finance and secured loans can be cost-effective for large capex items.

Enquire about sector-specific fit-out funding: Get a Free Fit-Out Finance Quote.

Planning Your Fit-Out Budget & Forecasting ROI

Typical cost breakdown

• Design & project management: 5–12%
• Construction & M&E: main cost (varies by sector)
• FF&E & technology: significant for hospitality and retail
• Contingency: typically 10–15%

Cashflow planning tips

Use phased drawdowns, negotiate staged supplier payments and align funding milestones with lease incentives or rent-free periods where possible.

Forecasting ROI

Model uplift in footfall, average spend and operational efficiencies. Small percentage increases in revenue can often justify a fit-out financed over 3–5 years.

Why Work with Fast Business Loans?

• Access to a wide panel of lenders and brokers covering high-street and alternative finance
• Sector expertise — we know the nuances of hospitality, retail and commercial refits
• Fast matching — many businesses receive responses on the same day
• Free, no-obligation service — you remain in control
• Initial enquiry does not affect your credit score

Hear from a customer: “We needed a kitchen refit at short notice. Fast Business Loans matched us with a broker the same day — funding in place within two weeks and the fit-out finished in time for summer trade.” (Anonymised)

Fit-Out Finance in Action: Sample Project

Independent restaurant group — 3 sites. Challenge: phased kitchen and dining refit requiring £180,000. Solution: matched to a specialist commercial lender and equipment finance provider; combined package=£180k over 5 years with staged drawdowns. Outcome: works completed without cashflow strain, uplift in covers and average spend; business preserved working capital for marketing and stock.

Results vary. Terms and approvals depend on lender assessment and business circumstances.

Fit-Out Finance FAQs

What can fit-out finance be used for?

It can cover design, construction, fixtures, fittings, equipment, technology, compliance works and contingency related to refurbishing commercial premises.

How quickly can I get funding?

After your enquiry, brokers/lenders we introduce often respond within hours. Funding timelines depend on documentation; with everything in place, some deals complete within days, others take several weeks.

What documents will lenders need?

Commonly: business bank statements, management accounts or accounts, supplier quotes, proof of ID for directors and a project plan.

Will my credit score be affected by enquiring?

No — submitting a Quick Enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run checks later if you progress to an application.

What loan amounts are available?

We typically connect businesses seeking funding from £10,000 upwards. For larger multi-site projects, lenders can arrange multi-hundred-thousand or multi-million packages depending on security and strength of the business case.

Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?

It depends on the lender, loan size and business strength. Secured options usually require collateral; some unsecured loans or asset finance products avoid property security but personal guarantees may be requested.

How does Fast Business Loans choose which lender or broker to introduce?

We match your project details and business profile against our panel’s sector appetite, typical deal sizes and recent successful cases to shortlist the most relevant partners.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

If your business needs a fit-out but you’d rather not tie up capital, let us do the searching for you. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes.

Get a Free Fit-Out Finance Quote · Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK businesses with finance brokers and lenders. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Any finance is subject to status and terms of the lender. Ensure repayments are affordable before proceeding. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. For more on fit-out funding options see our dedicated fit-out finance guide on fit-out finance.

1) What is fit-out finance and how does it work?
Fit-out finance lets UK businesses spread the cost of refurbishing or upgrading commercial premises through loans or asset finance repaid in fixed monthly instalments.

2) Who is eligible for fit-out finance in the UK?
UK-registered limited companies and SMEs—often with 6+ months’ trading—are typically eligible, with criteria varying by lender and sector (hospitality, retail, offices, healthcare, industrial).

3) What can fit-out finance cover?
It can fund design, construction and M&E works, furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), kitchens, POS/technology, security, compliance upgrades and contingency costs.

4) How much can I borrow for a shop fit or refurbishment?
Funding typically ranges from £10,000 to £5m+ depending on your business profile, project size and available security.

5) How quickly can I get fit-out funding?
Matched lenders or brokers often respond within hours and, with documents ready, deals can complete from a few days to several weeks.

6) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the Free Eligibility Check is not an application and won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may run checks if you proceed.

7) Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
This depends on the product and amount, with secured loans using collateral and many unsecured or asset finance options requiring a personal guarantee or the asset as security.

8) What documents will lenders ask for?
Expect business bank statements, management accounts, supplier quotes or contracts, director ID and a project plan or timeline.

9) What are typical repayment terms for fit-out finance?
Terms commonly run from 12 to 84 months, tailored to loan type, amount and security.

10) How do I start and is Fast Business Loans a lender?
Complete the free online enquiry to be matched with specialist UK lenders and brokers—Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and there’s no obligation to proceed.