Fit‑Out Finance in the UK — Are We a Lender or an Introducer?
Summary: UK Business Loans does not lend. We act as an introducer — matching your business with specialist fit‑out lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and handle applications. Our free, no‑obligation enquiry lets you get a quick eligibility check and compare options from lenders who understand fit‑out projects from £10,000 and up. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Quick compliance note: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not provide finance or regulated financial advice. We connect your business with specialist lenders and brokers. Using our service is free and no obligation. By submitting an enquiry you consent to us sharing your details with selected lenders/brokers for a free eligibility check. Any lender may carry out credit checks only if you proceed.
Are we a lender or an introducer for fit‑out finance?
Short answer: UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide loans directly. Instead, we collect a short set of details from your business and match you with specialist fit‑out lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes and next steps.
Why this matters:
- Neutral matchmaking — we search a panel of providers rather than offering a single product.
- Faster results — one quick enquiry connects you to lenders who specialise in fit‑outs.
What is fit‑out finance and who uses it?
Fit‑out finance covers funding for the interior build‑out and refurbishment of commercial premises. It’s commonly used by retailers, restaurants, cafés, bars, offices, leisure venues and franchises to cover costs such as:
- Shopfronts, fixtures and display shelving
- Kitchen equipment, extraction and commercial catering kit
- Joinery, lighting, flooring and M&E (mechanical & electrical)
- Decor, seating, toilets, partitions and disabled‑access works
- Professional fees, planning and snagging costs
Typical project sizes we help with start at around £10,000 and can run into hundreds of thousands depending on scope. Different funding types suit different needs — short bridging for speed, staged development finance for phased works, asset finance for equipment, or hire purchase for kitchens and machinery.
Mini case study — a common outcome:
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- A café needs £35,000 for a kitchen and shop front. Our enquiry matches them with an asset finance specialist who provides an equipment‑backed term with manageable monthly payments — all arranged through a broker who handles the paperwork.
Need a quote for your fit‑out? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
How it works — from enquiry to lender contact
- Complete our short enquiry form — it takes around 2 minutes. You’ll give basic business info, the amount you need and the type of fit‑out.
- We match you — using your details we connect you with the lenders and brokers best suited to your industry and project size.
- Providers contact you — selected lenders/brokers will get in touch to discuss terms, checks and the information they need.
- Compare and decide — you receive quotes and choose the option that suits your timescale, cost and security preferences.
We aim to keep the process fast and confidential. Our service is free and you’re under no obligation to accept any offer. When you proceed with a lender, they will guide you through any credit checks and final acceptance steps.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Benefits of using an introducer like UK Business Loans
- Faster access to specialists: We select lenders with experience in retail, hospitality and office fit‑outs so you don’t waste time with unsuitable providers.
- Wider choice: One enquiry can lead to multiple approached lenders or brokers — more choice can translate to better pricing or terms.
- Save time: Instead of contacting many lenders, complete one form and let us do the matching for you.
- Support for complex or imperfect cases: Some lenders specialise in slightly higher risk or turnaround projects — a broker can package your application to maximise success.
- No cost to you: Our introduction service is free and there’s no obligation to accept any offer.
- Clear next steps: We connect you to partners who can help manage the application, valuations and drawdowns so you can focus on the project.
Want to see how this works for your project? Get matched to fit‑out lenders today: Start Your Enquiry.
Fit‑out finance options you’ll commonly be offered
Different products suit different elements of a fit‑out. Below are the common options and what to expect:
Unsecured business loans
Benefits: Quick to arrange, no asset security. Typical amounts: £10k–£250k. Terms: 1–5 years. Suitable for small refurbishments or when minimal security is required.
Asset finance / hire purchase
Benefits: Finance tied to equipment (kitchens, refrigeration, furniture). Typical amounts: from £10k up. Terms: 2–7 years. Often preserves cash flow and spreads cost over useful life.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Staged development / contractor finance
Benefits: Funds released in stages as work completes. Typical for larger refits. Terms and security vary; projects often require detailed cost plans and inspection stages.
Bridging loans
Benefits: Fast access to funds for urgent fit‑outs. Typical amounts and terms vary; often short‑term (weeks to months) with higher costs. Useful when timing is critical.
Invoice finance
Benefits: For contractors/subcontractors working on fit‑outs — unlock cash tied up in invoices to fund materials and labour.
Security expectations commonly include business or property charges, personal guarantees for directors, or security over financed assets. Exact costs and terms are set by the lender, which is why comparing multiple offers is valuable.
Who can apply — basic eligibility & what lenders check
Most lenders will want to see:
- Company type and registration details (limited companies commonly preferred)
- Minimum trading history in many cases (varies by lender)
- Turnover and recent bank statements
- Project contract, lease or tenancy evidence and contractor quotes
- Credit history and director information
- Management accounts or forecasts for larger projects
Practical tips to improve your chances:
- Have project quotes and a clear budget ready
- Provide up‑to‑date bank statements and recent accounts
- Be transparent about credit history — it helps match you to the right lenders
- Consider using a broker when your case needs packaging (we can introduce one)
Fees, risks and important things to know
Before you borrow, consider:
- Interest and arrangement fees — these affect total cost.
- Security and guarantees — some products require personal guarantees or charges on property.
- Early repayment penalties — check terms if you expect to repay early.
- Impact on banking covenants — secured borrowings can affect future borrowing capacity.
- Credit checks — submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks only if you proceed.
Compliance note: We are an introducer and not a lender or financial adviser. We connect you with specialist lenders and brokers. Using our service is free and no obligation. All lending decisions and credit checks are carried out by the lender/broker you choose to deal with.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Typical timeline — from enquiry to funds
Timings vary by product and lender but typical milestones are:
- Initial contact: often within hours of enquiry during business hours
- Lender assessment: 1–10 business days depending on complexity
- Offers & acceptance: days to a couple of weeks
- Funds release: immediate for unsecured loans; days–weeks for secured or staged products
Checklist — have these ready before you speak to a lender:
- Project quotes & scope of works
- Recent business bank statements
- Company registration & accounts (where available)
- Lease/tenancy or property ownership documents
Frequently asked questions
Does UK Business Loans lend money for fit‑outs?
No. We act as an introducer and match you with lenders and brokers who can provide fit‑out finance.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Completing our enquiry form does not affect your credit rating. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you proceed with an application.
How long until I get a quote?
Many lenders contact enquiries within hours; full written quotes depend on the product and may take days to complete.
Do you charge a fee?
Our introduction service is free for businesses. Lenders or brokers may charge arrangement fees — these will be disclosed by them before you accept an offer.
What is the minimum loan size?
We typically arrange fit‑out finance from around £10,000 upwards.
Can startups apply?
Yes — some of our lender partners will consider new or growing businesses. Your options depend on turnover, project security and supporting documentation.
Ready to get a quick quote for your fit‑out?
UK Business Loans connects you quickly with specialist lenders and brokers who understand fit‑out projects. We don’t lend — we match your business to the right providers so you can compare offers and move your project forward with confidence.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
We only share your details with selected lenders and brokers who are best placed to help. You’re under no obligation to accept any offer.
1. Are you a lender or an introducer for fit‑out finance?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches your business with specialist fit‑out lenders and brokers rather than providing loans directly.
2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our short enquiry form for a free eligibility check does not affect your credit score; lenders may perform credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an application.
3. What types of fit‑out finance can I get through UK Business Loans?
You can be matched with lenders offering unsecured business loans, asset finance/hire purchase, staged development or contractor finance, bridging loans and invoice finance depending on your project needs.
4. What is the minimum and typical loan size for fit‑out and business loans UK?
Fit‑out finance via our partners typically starts from around £10,000 and can run into hundreds of thousands depending on scope and lender criteria.
5. How long does it take to receive quotes and access funds?
Many lenders contact enquiries within hours and provide full written quotes in days, with funds release ranging from immediate for unsecured loans to days or weeks for secured or staged products.
6. Does UK Business Loans charge a fee for its introduction service?
No — our matchmaking service and free eligibility check are free and no obligation, although lenders or brokers may charge arrangement fees which they will disclose.
7. Can startups or businesses with limited trading history apply for fit‑out finance?
Yes — some of our lender partners consider startups and businesses with limited trading history, though options depend on turnover, security and supporting documentation.
8. Can I get a business loan if I have bad credit?
Possibly — several specialist lenders and brokers we work with consider imperfect credit histories, and we can match you to partners experienced in higher‑risk cases.
9. What documents and information do lenders usually require to assess fit‑out finance eligibility?
Lenders commonly ask for company registration details, trading history, recent bank statements, turnover figures, project quotes/contracts, lease or tenancy evidence and director information.
10. What security or guarantees might lenders ask for on fit‑out finance?
Security requirements vary but can include charges over business or property assets, personal guarantees from directors, or security over the financed equipment.