Can I include HVAC, electrical, plumbing and compliance upgrades in the funding?

Yes, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and compliance upgrades can usually be rolled into a single fit-out finance facility, provided the work is supplied or invoiced by a third-party contractor and the asset list is itemised on the lender's schedule. Most UK fit-out lenders will fund both materials and labour for these categories because they form part of the integrated premises asset.

Compliance upgrades that lenders typically include: Part L thermal upgrades, Part M accessibility work, gas safety remediation, fire detection and suppression, electrical Part P certification, food-grade plumbing for hospitality, and disability access provisions under the Equality Act 2010. EPC-driven works to lift a premises out of MEES restrictions are increasingly fundable as part of a sustainability-linked fit-out.

What lenders will not fund: capital works to a building you do not own or have a long enough lease on, structural work that requires planning permission not yet granted, and any upgrade where the supplier cannot produce a VAT invoice. A repair budget for ad-hoc fixes is also out of scope. Asset finance funds defined assets, not contingencies.

For lender selection, Aldermore and Allica Bank handle the larger £150k+ commercial fit-outs. For smaller hospitality and retail jobs in the £25k to £150k range, Time Finance and Ultimate Finance are common routes. See also is asset finance suitable for front of house upgrades and signage.