Fit‑out finance for shops, offices & restaurants — how fast can you get funding?

Quick summary: Need to refit a shop, office or restaurant quickly? Depending on the finance route and how prepared your paperwork is, funding can be available from same day to a few weeks. Fast options (invoice finance, merchant cash advances) can deliver within 24–72 hours; typical unsecured or asset finance often settles in 3–14 business days; secured lending, staged contractor finance or property‑backed loans can take 2–6+ weeks. UK Business Loans doesn’t lend — we match you to lenders and brokers so you get a fast, no‑obligation quote. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Quick answer: how fast can you fund a shop, office or restaurant refit?

Typical timelines vary by product and complexity. Use these ranges to plan:

• Same day – 48 hours: invoice finance (if invoices are already approved), merchant cash advances, or very fast short‑term providers.
• 3–10 business days: many unsecured business loans, some specialist fit‑out or equipment lenders that run fast checks.
• 2–6 weeks: asset finance, secured business loans, staged contractor finance where surveys or valuations are needed, or landlord consent must be obtained.
• 4–12+ weeks: commercial mortgages, major development financing or complex multi‑stage projects requiring surveys, solicitor work or planning approvals.

Remember: a lender’s conditional approval can be quicker than the actual cash drawdown — drawdown often depends on final documents, staged milestone sign‑offs or third‑party checks.

What determines how quickly you can get funded?

Several practical factors affect timing. Understanding them helps you choose the right route and avoid delays.

Type of finance

• Unsecured business loans — quicker because there’s no property valuation; many complete in days if paperwork is clean.
• Invoice finance — very fast when invoices are already raised and approved by customers.
• Asset/equipment finance — speed depends on the supplier and whether the lender needs to inspect the asset.
• Bridging or short‑term loans — designed to be fast but often cost more.
• Secured property loans/commercial mortgages — slower due to valuations, legal checks and solicitor involvement.

Documentation & borrower profile

Up‑to‑date accounts, recent bank statements, clear company structure and an established business track record speed decisions. Missing paperwork, unclear VAT status or complex ownership can add days or weeks.

Property, planning & third parties

Lease length, landlord consent, planning permission or building‑control requirements can substantially delay drawdown. If the lender needs a valuation or solicitor’s search, expect additional weeks.

Contractor payment method

Some lenders pay contractors directly or release staged payments, which can speed project progress but may add admin steps at drawdown.

Typical funding routes for fit‑outs — timelines and short examples

Below are common products used for shop, office and restaurant fit‑outs with typical timelines and practical examples.

• Invoice finance — 24 hours to a few days.

  Example: a small retail store with approved customer invoices can unlock immediate cash to pay fit‑out contractors.

• Merchant cash advance — 24–72 hours for decision & funding; higher cost.

  Example: a café with strong card sales needing immediate kitchen repairs over a weekend.

• Unsecured business loan — 3–14 business days.

  Example: a boutique shop borrowing £20k for shelving and lighting — quick online checks and fast transfer.

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• Asset/equipment finance — 1–3 weeks.

  Example: a restaurant financing new ovens via an equipment lender who pays the supplier directly.

• Secured business loan or property‑backed refinance — 2–6+ weeks.

  Example: a larger refit funded by refinancing commercial property; valuations and solicitor work extend the timeline.

• Bridging loans — 1–3 weeks.

  Example: urgent cashflow while awaiting a longer‑term refinance; lenders typically charge premium fees.

• Contractor or staged development finance — 4–12 weeks+

  Example: a full restaurant refurbishment with staged drawdowns tied to contractor milestones and inspections.

How to speed up the process — practical checklist

Preparing in advance reduces delays dramatically. Use this checklist before contacting lenders:

• Gather documents: company registration, last 2–3 months’ business bank statements, latest accounts, VAT returns (if applicable).
• Get detailed contractor quotes and a staged payment schedule.
• Prepare a short project brief and cashflow forecast showing how the funds will be used.
• Confirm lease details and check whether landlord consent is required.
• Be transparent about credit history — early disclosure avoids surprises.
• Decide whether you need lender direct‑to‑contractor payments or staged drawdowns and state this in your enquiry.
• Use a match service or broker to reach multiple suitable lenders fast — Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

What UK Business Loans does (and how we help you move faster)

We don’t lend. We act as a fast matchmaker — taking a short, non‑binding enquiry and connecting your business to appropriate lenders and brokers who can quote for fit‑out finance from about £10,000 upwards. Our service helps you:

• Save time by being connected to lenders/brokers experienced in fit‑outs and hospitality, retail or office projects.
• Receive rapid responses — many matched partners contact businesses within hours.
• Compare multiple options without repeating forms or multiple credit hits.

Ready to start? Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

Realistic timeline examples (three mini case studies)

1) Boutique retail refit — quick start

Need: £18,000 for shop shelving, lighting and minor decoration. Route: invoice finance for immediate cash to start, followed by an unsecured loan to smooth repayments. Timeline: decision and initial funds in 24–72 hours; final loan within 7 business days.

2) Restaurant kitchen upgrade — staged payments

Need: £120,000 for kitchen equipment and contractor works. Route: equipment finance for ovens + staged contractor finance for build works. Timeline: equipment finance approved in 1–2 weeks; staged contractor payments released over 4–6 weeks as milestones are met.

3) Office refurb for growth — bridging to refinance

Need: £250,000 for full office refit and fit‑out. Route: short‑term bridging loan to start works, then refinance onto a longer‑term secured facility. Timeline: bridging in 7–10 days; refinance and solicitor/valuation processes complete in 6–8 weeks.

Costs vs speed — trade‑offs to consider

Faster funding usually comes at a higher price. Merchant cash advances, short‑term bridges and some quick unsecured options are convenient but often carry higher fees or APRs. Slower, secured or longer‑term loans usually cost less over time but need valuations, solicitor work and more paperwork. Choose based on the total cost of borrowing, not just headline speed.

Not sure which trade‑off suits your business? Get a free eligibility check and we’ll match you to lenders who can explain terms and costs.

What you’ll need to apply — quick checklist

• Business name, registered address and company number
• Contact name, phone and email
• Amount required (we handle enquiries from around £10,000 upwards)
• Brief project description and contractor quote(s)
• Last 2–3 months’ business bank statements and latest accounts
• VAT returns (if applicable) and ID for company director(s)

Collect these before you start to speed up matching: Start your Free Eligibility Check.

How the enquiry process works (step‑by‑step)

1. Complete a short enquiry form (about 2 minutes).
2. We match your brief to suitable lenders and brokers.
3. Matched partners contact you — often within hours during business hours.
4. Compare offers, ask questions and decide — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

FAQs

Will an initial enquiry affect my credit score?

No — your initial enquiry is just to match you with lenders. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you choose to progress.

Can lenders pay my contractor directly?

Yes, some lenders and brokers can arrange direct or staged payments — say so in your enquiry and we’ll match providers that offer it.

What if I have imperfect credit?

There are specialist lenders and brokers who consider non‑standard credit histories, but outcomes vary and costs may be higher. Be upfront in your enquiry to get the right matches.

How much can I borrow for a fit‑out?

Typical amounts through our panel start from around £10,000 and can go up to several million depending on product and provider.

Do you charge businesses to be matched?

No — the matching service is free for businesses. Providers may pay a fee to us if you proceed but there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

How long until lenders contact me?

Many lenders or brokers will contact you within hours of receiving your enquiry; expect up to a few business days in busier periods.

Next steps — get a free eligibility check

If you’re planning a shop, office or restaurant refit and need funding fast, the easiest way to find the quickest suitable routes is to start with a short, free enquiry. We’ll match your needs to lenders and brokers who can respond rapidly. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

1. How quickly can I get a business loan for a shop, office or restaurant fit‑out?
Depending on the product and paperwork, funding can arrive from same day (invoice finance/merchant cash advance) to 3–14 business days for many unsecured loans, 2–6+ weeks for secured or staged contractor finance, and 4–12+ weeks for commercial mortgages.

2. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — the short, non‑binding enquiry is not a formal application and won’t affect your credit score; lenders may run checks later if you choose to progress.

3. What types of fit‑out finance can I access?
You can be matched to invoice finance, merchant cash advances, unsecured business loans, asset/equipment finance, bridging loans, secured property loans or staged contractor/development finance depending on your needs.

4. How much can I borrow for a fit‑out?
Our panel typically handles fit‑out funding from around £10,000 up to several million, subject to the lender, product and your business profile.

5. Can lenders pay my contractor directly or release staged payments?
Yes — many lenders and brokers offer direct payments or staged drawdowns for contractor work, so state this requirement on your enquiry to be matched with providers that offer it.

6. What documents will speed up a funding decision?
Have your company registration, last 2–3 months’ business bank statements, latest accounts, VAT returns (if applicable), ID for directors, contractor quotes and a short project/cashflow brief ready.

7. Do you charge businesses to be matched and am I obliged to accept offers?
No — UK Business Loans’ matching service is free and no‑obligation; you’re under no duty to accept any offer and providers may pay us a referral fee if you proceed.

8. Can I get fit‑out finance with imperfect or poor credit?
Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers in our network consider non‑standard credit histories, though options, terms and costs may vary.

9. How do I choose between faster, more expensive options and slower, cheaper loans?
Compare the total cost of borrowing, urgency of works and required security—use fast options (MCA, invoice finance, bridging) for urgent starts and secured or longer‑term loans for lower ongoing costs when time allows.

10. How does the UK Business Loans enquiry process work and how quickly will lenders contact me?
Complete our short two‑minute enquiry and we’ll match you with relevant, FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers who often contact businesses within hours or a few business days to discuss quotes.