Construction Business Loans: Fast, Flexible Finance for UK Construction Firms
Quick summary: Construction business loans are finance solutions designed for UK construction firms to smooth cash flow, buy materials and plant, cover payroll, and fund projects. Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice; we connect limited companies and LLPs with suitable UK lenders and brokers for facilities from £10,000+. Typical options include cash flow loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, and bridging/development funding. Enquiries take under 2 minutes, won’t affect your credit score, and there’s no obligation to proceed. Need funding fast? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
Payment delays, retentions, material cost spikes, and subcontractor payroll can strain even the best-run projects. Fast Business Loans connects UK construction firms with a panel of trusted lenders and brokers who understand the sector and can move quickly. We’re an introducer, not a lender, and there’s no obligation to proceed after you’re matched. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
How Our Service Works
- Complete a 2-minute enquiry: Tell us about your business and your funding needs (from £10,000+).
- We match you: Get introduced to relevant UK lenders and brokers with construction expertise.
- Rapid response: Expect a quick call or email to discuss options and timelines.
- Compare and decide: Review terms, ask questions, and choose what suits you. No obligation.
- Sector-fit matching focused on construction trades and developers
- Secure data handling
- Your enquiry will not affect your credit score; credit checks may be carried out later if you choose to proceed
Finance Options for Construction: What Can You Fund?
From bridging stage payments to purchasing excavators, there’s a tailored product for most construction needs. Common solutions include working capital loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, and bridging/development facilities. Use them for materials, plant, labour, overheads, site setup, and project delivery.
| Product | Typical uses | Security | Speed to funds | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flow/term loan | Stage payments, labour, materials, overheads | Unsecured or secured; PGs may apply | As fast as a few days | Contractors needing flexibility |
| Invoice finance | Unlock cash from 30–90+ day invoices/valuations | Secured on receivables; docs-driven | Set-up in days to weeks | Firms with slow-paying clients |
| Asset/equipment finance | Plant, tools, vehicles; refinance owned kit | Secured on asset | Days to weeks | Capex with stable repayments |
| Bridging/development | Acquisition, build, finish-and-exit | Property security; LTV applies | Weeks (case-dependent) | SME developers, JV contractors |
| VAT/tax funding | Quarterly VAT or tax bills | Unsecured or secured | Often days | Cash flow smoothing |
Working Capital and Cash Flow Loans
When materials spike in price or a main contractor delays a stage payment, a working capital loan can bridge the gap so projects keep moving. Facilities generally start from £10,000 and can extend to multimillion-pound lines depending on turnover, trading history, security, and affordability. Options include unsecured and secured loans; some may require a personal guarantee.
Use cases include covering payroll, paying for unexpected variations, ordering materials in bulk, or handling site overheads during weather delays. Terms and rates vary by circumstance and risk profile; your matched lender or broker will set out the full costs and conditions before you make any decisions.
Invoice Finance for Construction
With 30–90+ day terms, retentions, and staged valuations, cash can stay trapped in invoices. Invoice finance lets you release a percentage of the invoice value quickly, so you can fund labour and materials while you wait for payment. Options include factoring, confidential invoice discounting, and project-specific facilities. Lenders may ask for CIS statements, contracts, and clear documentation of valuations and variations.
Good for firms invoicing larger contractors or public sector clients, and those needing a long-term cash flow partner. Your matched partner will explain fees (e.g., service and discount charges), notice periods, and how retentions are handled.
Get a Free Invoice Finance Match
Asset and Equipment Finance (Plant, Tools, Vehicles)
Need excavators, telehandlers, scaffolding, vans, HGVs, or M&E equipment? Asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease, or refinance) spreads the cost with predictable payments and may preserve working capital. Funding starts from £10,000+, with terms commonly 2–7 years depending on asset type and age. Refinance of owned plant can also unlock cash tied up in your balance sheet.
This approach helps align repayments with the income generated by the kit, stabilising project delivery and margins.
Compare Plant & Equipment Finance
Bridging Loans & Development Finance
Short-term property and development funding can support site acquisition, construction, and finish-and-exit strategies. Facilities are secured on property, with LTV, interest, fees, and exit routes assessed up front. Suitable for SME developers and contractors involved in build-outs or joint ventures. Timescales depend on security, planning status, and professional reports (valuations, QS, legals).
Clear documentation and a realistic exit (sale or refinance) are essential for smoother approvals.
Request a Bridging/Development Finance Match
VAT, Tax & Short-Term Funding Solutions
Quarterly VAT, annual tax bills, or delays to milestone payments can strain cash flow. Specialist VAT or short-term facilities help smooth these peaks and troughs without disrupting project schedules. As with all borrowing, eligibility, fees, and total cost will be set out by the lender or broker before you proceed.
Who We Help in the Construction Supply Chain
- Main contractors and housebuilders
- Specialist subcontractors: M&E, groundworks, roofing, scaffolding, fit-out, civils
- Developers and SMEs delivering new-build and refurbishment projects
- Trades operating as limited companies (e.g., plumbers, electricians, joiners)
- Plant hire and material suppliers
Explore more about construction business loans and how we connect you to solutions that fit your trade.
Get Matched to Lenders Who Understand Your Trade
Costs, Terms and What Affects Your Rate
Pricing depends on the product and your business profile. Factors often considered include time trading, turnover and profit trends, credit profile, contract pipeline quality, assets/security available, sector risk, and facility type (invoice, asset, unsecured, bridging, etc.).
- We don’t set rates; your matched lender/broker will disclose all costs, fees, and terms.
- Our enquiry service is free for business owners. We may receive a fee from partners if you proceed; this does not increase the price you pay.
- Always review total cost of finance, early settlement options, and any variable fees (e.g., valuation, documentation, arrangement).
Speak to a Specialist — Free, No Obligation
Eligibility and Documents: What Lenders Typically Look For
- UK-registered limited company or LLP (funding from £10,000+)
- Trading history: some products consider 3–6+ months; others require longer
- Live contracts/pipeline and construction documentation (valuations, stage schedules, retentions)
- Management accounts and/or filed accounts; 3–6 months’ business bank statements
- ID and proof of address for directors; asset details for secured facilities
- CIS statements and contracts where relevant
- Security and personal guarantees may be required depending on product and risk
Your initial enquiry with us does not affect your credit score. If you proceed, lenders may carry out credit checks as part of their assessment.
Upload Once — We’ll Match You Fast
Real-World Scenarios We See
- Subcontractor payroll bridge: A specialist M&E subcontractor uses invoice finance to release cash from certified valuations, covering payroll while awaiting stage payments and retentions.
- Plant acquisition: A civils contractor acquires a telehandler and mini-excavators via hire purchase, preserving cash for materials and fuel.
- Main contractor cash unlock: A principal contractor sets up a selective invoice facility on larger clients to manage material price inflation and VAT timing.
- Developer acquisition: An SME developer secures a bridging loan to acquire a site, then transitions to development finance with a clear exit on sale.
Every case is matched to sector-fit partners who understand construction paperwork and timelines.
Why Choose Fast Business Loans (UK Construction Focus)
- Sector expertise: We understand retentions, staged valuations, CIS, and site realities.
- Speed: Enquire in minutes; get connected fast to suitable lenders/brokers.
- Transparent and free: Our matching service is free for business owners and there’s no obligation to proceed.
- Human-first support: Real people, secure data handling, clear communication.
Start Your Enquiry — 2 Minutes
Quick comparison: invoice finance vs term loan vs asset finance
| Option | Best for | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice finance | Projects with long payment terms/retentions | Scales with turnover; unlocks cash quickly | Documentation-heavy; service/discount fees |
| Term/cash flow loan | General working capital, materials, payroll | Flexible use; simple structure | May require PG/security; fixed repayments |
| Asset/equipment finance | Plant, tools, vehicles; refinance owned kit | Preserves cash; fixed terms; asset-backed | Limited to asset value and condition |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a construction business loan?
It’s finance tailored to construction firms to manage cash flow, buy plant and materials, cover payroll, or fund acquisitions/development. We connect you to suitable lenders/brokers; we’re not a lender and do not provide financial advice.
How quickly can funding be arranged?
Timelines vary by product and documentation. Some unsecured working capital and invoice finance facilities can be set up in days; asset finance and bridging/development typically take longer. Your matched partner will give a realistic timeline.
What’s the minimum amount I can apply for?
We support enquiries for £10,000 and upwards, subject to status and lender criteria.
Can start-ups or newer contractors apply?
Some lenders consider early-stage limited companies or LLPs, especially for asset finance or contract-led facilities. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, security, and documentation.
Can I get funding with adverse credit?
Potentially. Some lenders specialise in complex credit backgrounds, but costs and security requirements may differ. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score; credit checks may occur later if you proceed.
Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Your initial enquiry with Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. If you choose to proceed, lenders/brokers may run credit checks as part of their assessment.
What documents will I need?
Typically recent bank statements (3–6 months), management or filed accounts, ID and address for directors, details of contracts/invoices/valuations, CIS statements where relevant, and asset details for secured facilities.
Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
Some facilities are secured on assets or property, and some may require a personal guarantee. Your matched lender/broker will explain any requirements before you decide.
How do costs compare across products?
Costs vary by risk, facility type, and term. Invoice finance may include service and discount fees; loans include interest and possible arrangement/documentation fees; bridging/development includes interest, fees, and valuation/legal costs. Your partner will disclose the total cost before you proceed.
Does it cost anything to use Fast Business Loans?
No. Our enquiry and matching service is free for business owners and there’s no obligation to proceed. We may receive a fee from a partner if you take out a product; this does not increase what you pay.
Compliance, Transparency and Important Information
Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We don’t offer financial advice. Your enquiry is free and without obligation. If you choose to proceed, lenders/brokers will present terms, including fees and total costs where applicable. We may receive a fee from a partner if you proceed; this does not increase the price you pay. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. Terms and availability can change. Late or missed payments can have serious consequences for your business.
Get Started Safely — Free, No Obligation
Footer notice: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice. Submitting an enquiry on our site will not affect your credit score. If you choose to proceed, lenders/brokers may conduct credit checks and will provide full details of costs, terms and any applicable fees. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. We may receive a fee from partners if you take out a product; this does not increase the price you pay. Late or missed payments can have serious consequences for your business.
1) What are construction business loans and how do they work?
Construction business loans are finance solutions for UK construction firms to manage cash flow, buy materials/plant, cover payroll or projects, and Fast Business Loans connects you to suitable lenders and brokers (we’re an introducer, not a lender).
2) How fast can I get construction finance?
Many working capital and invoice finance facilities can fund in a few days, while asset, bridging and development finance typically take longer depending on documentation and security.
3) What can construction finance be used for?
You can fund materials, plant and equipment, labour/payroll, site setup and overheads, VAT or tax, acquisitions, and development stages.
4) What loan amounts are available for construction businesses?
We match UK limited companies and LLPs to facilities from £10,000 and, subject to status and security, up to multi‑million.
5) Do you support start-ups or newer contractors in construction?
Yes—some lenders consider early‑stage firms, particularly for asset finance or contract‑led facilities, subject to documentation and affordability.
6) Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No—our free eligibility check won’t affect your credit score; lenders may run credit checks only if you decide to proceed.
7) What documents do I need for a construction business loan?
Expect 3–6 months of business bank statements, management/filed accounts, director ID/address, contracts/valuations/CIS where relevant, and asset or property details for secured facilities.
8) Do construction loans require security or a personal guarantee?
Some facilities are unsecured, but many are secured on assets or property and may require a director’s personal guarantee depending on risk.
9) Can I finance certified valuations and handle retentions with invoice finance?
Yes—construction invoice finance can advance cash against certified applications/valuations, with retentions handled according to lender policy.
10) How are costs and rates set, and what does your service cost?
Pricing depends on factors like trading history, credit profile, pipeline quality, security and product type, while our matching service is free with no obligation and we’re an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser.
