Fit-out finance for phased fit-outs & multi‑site rollouts
Quick summary — Can UK Business Loans help?
Yes. UK Business Loans can help match companies planning multi‑site rollouts or phased fit‑outs with lenders and brokers experienced in staged fit‑out funding. We introduce you to funding partners who offer staged drawdowns, contractor or equipment finance and blended facilities tailored to rollout schedules. Our enquiry is free, non‑binding and will not affect your credit score.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
UK Business Loans is not a lender or financial adviser. We are an introducer that will match your enquiry to lenders and brokers who may be able to help. Completing our enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score.
What is fit‑out finance and why phased funding matters
What fit‑out finance covers
Fit‑out finance covers the cost of turning premises into trading space: tenant improvements, mechanical & electrical works (M&E), fixtures & fittings (FF&E), specialist equipment and any finishes required to meet brand or operational standards.
Why phased / staged funding is common for multi‑site rollouts
When you open multiple sites, you generally don’t fund everything at once. Lenders and contractors are used to funding by milestone so cashflow and risk are managed across the rollout. Staged funding helps you:
- Smooth cashflow across a programme of openings
- Tie payments to construction or commissioning milestones
- Manage supplier and contractor retentions
- Scale financing as sites prove trading performance
Common uses include retail rollouts, café/restaurant chains, hotel refurbishments and office fit‑outs where staged payments are critical to delivery and cost control.
fit-out finance — learn more about the types of fit‑out facilities lenders use for projects like yours.
How UK Business Loans helps with multi‑site & phased fit‑outs
Here’s how it works: you complete a short enquiry and we match that information to lenders and brokers in our panel who specialise in fit‑outs and multi‑site rollouts. We don’t make lending decisions — we introduce you to partners who can assess the project and provide formal quotes.
Our matching process
- Submit a short enquiry (business details, funding required, project outline).
- We review and identify lenders/brokers who specialise in staged drawdowns, equipment finance, invoice discounting and contractor funding.
- Matched partners contact you with a free eligibility check and next steps.
Types of funding partners we connect you to
- Commercial lenders offering staged drawdown loans linked to completion certificates.
- Specialist contractor & supplier finance for retentions, mobilisation and final payments.
- Asset & equipment finance for FF&E, kitchen equipment and specialist plant.
- Invoice finance / supply‑chain funding to smooth payments to suppliers.
- Short‑term bridging or construction facilities to bridge milestone payments before longer‑term refinancing.
What partners commonly ask for
Lenders and brokers typically want a clear project plan, cost schedule and evidence of site security:
- Company accounts and management accounts
- Project schedule and budget per site
- Contractor quotes and CVs / contractor agreements
- Lease terms and landlord consent (or planned consent timescales)
- Projected unit economics (expected revenue per site)
Mini case studies
Case 1 — Coffee chain rollout (anonymised): 20 new sites; staged drawdowns were linked to shop handover and opening dates. Lender provided an initial mobilisation advance then staged payments for fit‑out completion.
Case 2 — Restaurant group refurbishment: 8 sites refurbished in two phases. A blended facility combined asset finance for kitchen equipment with a short construction loan for contractor payments.
Case 3 — Franchise retail rollout: Franchisee used invoice discounting to pay multiple suppliers while a commercial lender provided staged fit‑out funding tied to certificate milestones.
Get Quote Now — quick 2‑minute enquiry
Typical funding structures for phased fit‑outs
Staged drawdown loan
What it is: a single loan facility where funds are drawn in stages as each site reaches an agreed milestone.
When used: multi‑site rollouts where lender inspections or certificates confirm completion stages. Pros: simplicity of one facility; cons: lender paperwork per drawdown.
Retentions & milestone payments
What it is: lender releases retainage on receipt of completion certificates. When used: projects with contractor retention clauses. Pros: protects against defects; cons: requires clear certification process.
Asset / equipment finance
What it is: separate finance for FF&E or specialist kit that can sit off the main construction loan. Useful when equipment vendors offer finance packages or when you want to preserve working capital.
Invoice finance & supply‑chain funding
What it is: unlocks cash tied up in supplier/customer invoices to pay contractors or suppliers during rollouts. Often used alongside a construction facility.
Blended funding
What it is: combination of the above (e.g., a staged loan plus asset finance and invoice discounting) to match different cost types and timings.
What lenders and brokers will need from you
Getting organised speeds approvals. Typical document checklist:
- Latest company accounts and recent management accounts
- Cashflow forecast covering the rollout period
- Project schedule with milestones (per site)
- Contractor quotes, construction contracts and any warranties
- Lease agreements and landlord consent (or planned consent timeline)
- Business plan or franchise agreement (if applicable)
- Identification for company directors and beneficial owners
For larger rollouts lenders may request trading performance by site or a pilot site’s trading results to demonstrate unit economics.
Practical tips for funding multi‑site rollouts
Practical steps to improve your funding outcome:
- Start with a small pilot roll‑out to prove unit economics before expanding.
- Negotiate phased landlord consents and capture consent timing in the project plan.
- Include a contingency line (typically 5–10%) in each site budget.
- Align contractor payment schedules with expected lender milestones.
- Consider supplier credit or invoice discounting to bridge short gaps.
Red flags lenders notice
- No proof of concept or trading data for the proposed site model.
- Absent or unclear landlord consent for fitting out premises.
- Unrealistic cost forecasts or no contingency.
Typical timeline & costs
Response times vary by complexity:
- Initial match from UK Business Loans: usually within hours during business hours.
- Initial lender/broker eligibility checks: often within 24–72 hours.
- Formal lender proposals and facility terms: from a few days up to 2–3 weeks for complex multi‑site facilities.
Costs are set by the lenders/brokers: arrangement fees, interest rates and any broker fees. UK Business Loans’ matching service is free to businesses. Always ask matched providers for clear, illustrative repayment examples before proceeding.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fund multiple sites within a single facility?
Yes — many lenders structure a single facility with staged drawdowns for multiple sites, or a master facility with individual site advances. The best approach depends on scale and lender appetite.
What if I don’t have landlord consent yet?
Some lenders will provide early mobilisation funding subject to agreed timescales for consent. Others require consent in place — it depends on risk and the lender’s policy.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No — completing our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Matched lenders or brokers may perform credit checks only if you progress to a formal application with them.
How quickly will lenders respond?
Often within 24–72 hours for an initial eligibility check; full proposals take longer depending on complexity and the need for site valuations or contractor checks.
What sizes of projects do you cover?
We commonly introduce funding for projects from around £10,000 upwards, and for multi‑site programmes that scale into tens or hundreds of thousands and beyond.
Do you support sustainable/green fit‑outs?
Yes. We can match you with lenders and brokers that offer funding for energy efficiency upgrades and sustainability‑focused fit‑outs where suppliers or longer payback profiles are involved.
Do you lend directly?
No. UK Business Loans is an introducer. We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers who will provide quotes and handle any regulated checks.
Ready to get your phased fit‑out or multi‑site rollout funded?
Complete our short, 2‑minute enquiry and we’ll match you with specialist lenders and brokers who can provide a free eligibility check and fast quotes. There’s no obligation to proceed.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. Using this service is free and will not affect your credit score. Matched lenders and brokers will provide any formal terms and may carry out credit and ID checks if you choose to proceed.
1. Can I get fit-out finance for phased fit-outs and multi‑site rollouts?
Yes — lenders commonly offer staged drawdown fit‑out finance or a master facility with individual site advances to fund phased multi‑site rollouts.
2. How does staged funding work for multi‑site fit‑outs?
Staged funding releases money at agreed milestones (mobilisation, handover, commissioning) so cashflow and contractor retentions are managed across the rollout.
3. What types of finance can I use alongside a staged fit‑out loan?
Common complementary options include asset/equipment finance for FF&E, invoice finance to smooth supplier payments and short‑term bridging for milestone gaps.
4. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing the free enquiry is not a formal application and will not affect your credit score; matched lenders may carry out checks only if you progress.
5. What documents do lenders usually require for fit‑out funding?
Lenders typically ask for company accounts, recent management accounts, a site‑by‑site project schedule and budget, contractor quotes/contracts and lease/landlord consent details.
6. Can lenders provide funding before landlord consent is in place?
Some lenders will offer early mobilisation funding subject to an agreed consent timetable, while others require landlord consent before advancing funds.
7. How long does it take to get an eligibility check and formal proposal?
You can often get an initial eligibility check within 24–72 hours, with full lender proposals taking anywhere from a few days to 2–3 weeks for complex multi‑site facilities.
8. What sizes of fit‑out projects do you match lenders for?
We commonly match projects from around £10,000 upwards, including phased programmes that scale into the tens or hundreds of thousands and beyond.
9. Are sustainable or green fit‑outs eligible for specialised funding?
Yes — we can match you with lenders and brokers that offer finance for energy efficiency and sustainability‑focused fit‑outs and equipment.
10. Do you lend directly or provide financial advice?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches your enquiry to FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers who will provide formal quotes and any regulated advice.
