Can I finance depot refurbishments, loading bays and yard equipment (fit-out finance)?

The short answer

Yes — many UK lenders will finance depot refurbishments, loading bays and yard equipment using a mix of fit-out finance, asset finance, leasing and unsecured business loans. The right structure depends on what is being funded, how long it will last, and who owns the premises. Best Business Loans does not lend directly, but we help you get matched quickly with lenders and brokers experienced in funding depot and warehouse projects.

What can be financed in a depot fit-out?

Depot and warehouse refurbishments

• Mezzanine floors, walkways, safety barriers and handrails.
• Racking, shelving, pallet live storage and carton flow systems.
• LED lighting upgrades, power distribution, cable trays and control panels.
• Heating, ventilation and destrat fans suited to high-bay environments.
• Office pods, welfare areas, break rooms and security rooms within the warehouse.
• Conveyor lines, sorters, packing benches and ergonomics equipment.
• WMS terminals, scanners, label printers and IT infrastructure.

These are commonly financed as “fixtures and fittings” or as plant and equipment. Lenders usually prefer items with a clear lifespan and resale value, but many will also include integral fit-out elements if part of a project.

Loading bays and dock equipment

• Dock levellers, shelters, dock pods and dock seals.
• Sectional overhead doors, fast-acting doors and roller shutters.
• Vehicle restraints, wheel guides, bollards and safety systems.
• Scissor lifts, goods lifts and tail-lift charging equipment.
• Weighbridges, axle weighers and in-yard scales.

These are strong candidates for asset finance or hire purchase. Installation and commissioning can often be included where the supplier invoices are clear and itemised.

Yard and external equipment

• Barriers, turnstiles, ANPR cameras, CCTV and access control.
• Fuel tanks, pumps, monitoring systems and bunded storage.
• EV chargers, substations (where eligible) and energy management systems.
• Mobile plant such as yard tractors, tugs and sweepers.
• Safety signage, speed bumps and traffic management assets.

External works can be financed, but lenders often separate “groundworks/civils” from equipment. Equipment and install may be financeable; extensive civils may require alternative structures or owner contribution.

What may be harder to finance

• Pure building works or landlord structural improvements where ownership is unclear.
• Non-recoverable soft costs if not itemised (design fees, project management, training).
• Planning fees, surveys and professional indemnity unless bundled by specialist fit-out funders.

These items are not impossible, but they need careful packaging and a lender who accepts soft costs. Documented supplier quotes and clear asset schedules help greatly.

The finance options that typically work best

Asset finance: hire purchase and leasing

Best for: Dock levellers, doors, weighbridges, racking, lifts and plant. Terms are often aligned to the useful life of the asset. Title usually passes at the end under hire purchase, while leasing can suit items that may be refreshed.

• Pros: Structured repayments, potential to include install, tax-efficient treatment depending on structure.
• Consider: Minimum deal sizes, valuation or audit requirements for larger projects.

Asset finance can sometimes be arranged with staged payments to multiple suppliers, reducing cash strain during installation.

Fit-out finance and unsecured business loans

Best for: Mixed projects with lots of suppliers or where soft costs and trades are significant. Funds can be used for refurb labour, internal partitions, M&E and compliance upgrades.

• Pros: Flexibility, broader use of funds, quick to arrange for established SMEs.
• Consider: Typically priced higher than asset-backed facilities; director guarantees may be required.

Some lenders provide dedicated “refurb/fit-out” products with milestone drawdowns tied to invoices or certificates of completion.

Refinance and sale & leaseback

Best for: Raising capital against recently purchased equipment or freeing cash after a self-funded phase. Lenders buy the asset and finance it back to you, releasing cash.

• Pros: Improves liquidity post-project, can consolidate spend from various suppliers.
• Consider: Evidence of purchase, asset condition and valuation are critical.

Refinance can also sit alongside invoice finance to support project cash flow without overloading one product.

Funding VAT, installation and soft costs

• VAT deferral is possible with some lenders or via short-term VAT loans.
• Installation, commissioning and delivery can often be rolled in if itemised on supplier invoices.
• Design, project management and compliance can be included by certain fit-out funders; clarity in quotations helps.

Where soft costs cannot be wholly funded, combining asset finance for equipment with a smaller working capital loan can bridge the gap.

Eligibility, documents and the application process

Typical eligibility and trading profile

• Limited companies and LLPs with established trading preferred; some lenders consider 12+ months’ trading for smaller tickets.
• Clean credit improves terms; historic issues are not always fatal if well-explained.
• Minimum finance amounts commonly start around £10,000, with upper limits into the millions for asset-rich projects.

Owner-occupiers and long leases are attractive to lenders. Short tenancies can still be funded if the term fits the lease profile.

What lenders assess for depot and yard projects

• Business performance: latest filed accounts, management information and bank statements.
• Project rationale: efficiency gains, safety compliance, capacity expansion and cost savings.
• Assets and security: specification, supplier credibility, warranties and service support.

For larger schemes, lenders may ask for cash flow forecasts and a simple project plan. This is to verify affordability and timing of drawdowns.

What to prepare to speed things up

• Detailed supplier quotes with itemised equipment, install and commissioning.
• Floor plans, bay layouts and method statements where relevant.
• Landlord consent if you are a tenant; planning approvals if required.

Insurance details, RAMS and proof of compliance can also be requested for bay and yard works. Clear documentation reduces back-and-forth and supports faster decisions.

Typical timeline and staged payments

• Indicative terms can be obtained within 24–72 hours for straightforward cases.
• Formal approval and documentation can follow in a few days once underwriting is complete.
• Staged payments are paid to suppliers against invoices, delivery notes or completion certificates.

Multi-supplier projects can be bundled under one umbrella facility, limiting your admin burden during the build.

Costs, terms, security and tax considerations

Terms and repayment profiles

• Common terms range from 24 to 84 months, aligned to asset life and lease length.
• Seasonal or stepped repayments can match logistics peak cycles.
• Balloon or residual values may apply on certain equipment to reduce monthly cost.

Exact pricing varies by credit profile, asset type, deposit and security. All finance is subject to status and affordability checks.

Security, guarantees and ownership

• Asset finance is typically secured on the equipment, sometimes with a debenture for larger facilities.
• Director guarantees are common for SMEs, especially for unsecured elements.
• Under hire purchase, you usually own the asset at the end; leases differ in tax and ownership treatment.

Where works are integral to the building, lenders may seek landlord waivers. Good supplier contracts and warranties help protect both you and the lender.

Tax treatment, capital allowances and VAT

• Many plant and machinery items may qualify for capital allowances, including full expensing and the Annual Investment Allowance, subject to HMRC rules.
• Some structural works may qualify for the Structures and Buildings Allowance.
• Always seek advice from your accountant on VAT recovery and the most efficient structure for your business.

HMRC rules change, so confirm current reliefs before committing. Accurate asset categorisation on invoices supports claims.

Risks and fair-use disclosures

• Taking on finance increases your obligations and may require guarantees.
• Missing payments can impact your credit and may lead to asset repossession on secured agreements.
• Rates, terms and product availability vary and are not guaranteed.

We aim to ensure all information is clear, fair and not misleading. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice.

How Best Business Loans helps — and your next steps

Why use our AI-powered matching for depot fit-outs?

• We connect you to lenders and brokers actively funding depots, bays and yard assets.
• We help structure projects with multiple suppliers, staged payments and mixed asset types.
• You save time by avoiding cold approaches to unsuitable providers.

Our role is to introduce you to suitable finance professionals. You remain in control and under no obligation to proceed.

When to enquire and what happens next

• Enquire as soon as you have draft quotes and a target timeline.
• Complete our Quick Quote form with project details and budget.
• Get matched to funders who understand loading bays, yard equipment and depot refurbishments.

It’s fast, secure and designed for established UK businesses. There is no fee to submit an enquiry.

Industry context and specialist support

Logistics, transport and distribution operators are frequent users of fit-out finance. If you move goods, manage depots or operate across hubs, our network is tuned to your sector.

For sector-specific guidance, see our page on logistics business loans. It covers common funding routes and operational considerations.

Key takeaways

• Yes — you can finance depot refurbishments, loading bays and yard equipment in the UK.
• Fit-out projects often blend asset finance, unsecured loans and staged payments.
• Clear quotes, timelines and landlord consents help approvals.
• Tax treatment matters; consult your accountant before finalising the structure.
• [Get Your Free Quick Quote Now] to be matched with suitable providers.

Helpful examples of financeable items

• Dock levellers, shelters and high-speed doors.
• Racking, mezzanines and safety systems.
• Weighbridges, yard barriers and CCTV/ANPR.
• EV chargers, fuel pumps and energy upgrades.
• Conveyors, lifts and packing ergonomics equipment.

If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, include it in your enquiry. Lenders often approve mixed baskets when well documented.

Compliance and transparency: Best Business Loans is an independent introducer. We do not offer loans or credit decisions. Any finance is subject to status, credit approval, terms and affordability. Advertised content aims to be clear, fair and not misleading, and is intended for UK business customers only. We do not provide financial, tax or legal advice; please consult qualified professionals. Product availability, eligibility and costs can change.

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Common questions about financing depot refurbishments

Can I include installation, commissioning and training?

Often yes, especially when itemised on supplier invoices. Some lenders cap soft costs relative to equipment value. Specialist fit-out funders can accept higher soft-cost ratios.

What if I lease my depot rather than own it?

Leased premises can still be funded. Lenders look for lease length that covers the term and landlord consent where works are integral. Non-structural equipment is generally straightforward.

Can multiple suppliers be paid under one facility?

Yes, many providers support multi-supplier projects. They release payments against verified invoices, delivery notes or completion milestones, reducing your admin.

Is VAT fundable?

Some lenders can defer VAT or offer a short-term VAT facility. Your accountant can advise on VAT recovery based on the project and your VAT status.

Can I refinance kit I already bought?

Sale and leaseback can release cash from recently purchased assets. You will need proof of purchase and the kit must be in good condition with identifiable serials.

How quickly can I get a decision?

Simple projects can receive indicative terms within 24–72 hours. Complex, multi-supplier projects may take longer due to underwriting and document checks.

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How to get started now

1. Gather your quotes, plans and desired timeline.
2. Complete the Quick Quote on BestBusinessLoans.ai with budget and asset list.
3. Review introductions to suitable lenders or brokers and choose your route.

We cannot guarantee approval or the lowest rate, but we aim to match you with relevant funders who can genuinely help. It is free to submit an enquiry and there is no obligation to proceed.

Updated: October 2025