Can I combine equipment finance with a fit-out facility?

Yes, equipment finance and fit-out finance commonly run alongside each other, and many UK SMB lenders package them together under one master agreement. The two products are technically distinct: equipment finance funds defined hard assets (kitchen equipment, machinery, vehicles), fit-out finance funds the integrated premises spend (partitioning, lighting, signage, mechanical and electrical, branding). Most projects need both.

Three structures are common in the UK market. Combined facility: a single underwriter approves the full project budget, with equipment on hire purchase and fit-out on a separate term loan, drawn down against staged invoices. Stacked facility: two lenders (one for equipment, one for fit-out) running in parallel; cleanest if your equipment supplier has its own preferred finance partner. Master HP plus working capital: a single asset finance facility covering both categories of spend, with a small unsecured top-up for non-financeable costs (rent deposit, marketing, training).

Specialist UK lenders that handle both under one roof include Aldermore, Time Finance and Ultimate Finance. For larger £150k+ commercial projects, Allica Bank will package fit-out and equipment together against a debenture and PG.

The pitfalls to avoid: do not let two lenders take security over the same equipment; do not let total monthly servicing exceed 30% of forecast trading profit in months 1 to 6 of the new fit-out; and ensure your supplier invoices are itemised so the lender can allocate spend correctly across the facility. See can I finance multiple sites or a phased refurbishment under one facility for the multi-site version.