Construction Business Loans: Fast, Flexible Finance for UK Builders and Contractors

Fast Business Loans connects UK construction companies with trusted lenders and brokers. We’re not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice. Our free introducer service helps limited companies and LLPs compare construction finance options quickly—without pressure or obligation. Start your Free Eligibility Check in under two minutes; your enquiry won’t affect your credit score.

Summary (What you’ll learn): Discover how construction business loans and specialist facilities—like asset finance, invoice finance, development/bridging, and VAT/tax funding—help UK builders and contractors manage cash flow, fund equipment, and deliver projects on time. See eligibility factors, typical terms, example use cases, a documents checklist, and a simple four-step process to get matched with suitable lenders and brokers. Enquiries are free, with no obligation to proceed.

Important: Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not offer financial advice. We are a free introducer service, connecting UK businesses with trusted brokers and lenders. Enquiries won’t affect your credit score. If you proceed, the broker/lender may carry out credit checks. Terms, rates and fees vary by provider and your circumstances. Funding is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria.

Table of Contents

1. Why Construction Businesses Use Finance
2. Types of Construction Business Finance We Can Help You Find
3. Who We Help in UK Construction
4. What Lenders Typically Look For (Eligibility)
5. Costs, Terms and Repayments: What to Expect
6. How Our Process Works
7. Real-World Scenarios We See in Construction
8. Why Choose Fast Business Loans
9. What We Don’t Do (Compliance Clarity)
10. Documents Checklist to Speed Things Up
11. FAQs
12. Ready to Unlock Construction Finance?

Why Construction Businesses Use Finance

Construction projects are complex, phased, and often paid in arrears. That means cash out before cash in. Finance helps smooth that gap—so crews can be paid, materials ordered, and plant kept on site.

• Pre-funding materials and labour during early phases
• Buying or leasing plant, tools, vans and HGVs
• Bridging the gap between interim valuations and payment
• Covering retentions and late debtor cycles
• Funding site setup, fit-out, H&S compliance and accreditations

Need a fast view of your options? Take a Free Eligibility Check and get matched to suitable UK lenders/brokers today.

Types of Construction Business Finance We Can Help You Find

Every construction firm is different. Below are common facilities our partners arrange for UK builders, contractors and developers. We’ll match you to the type(s) that fit your project timeline, collateral position, and cash-flow profile.

Unsecured Business Loans

Flexible working capital for payroll, materials and overheads—without asset security. Often quicker to arrange. Personal guarantees may be required. Useful for short-term gaps or to respond to price spikes.

Secured Business Loans

Larger borrowing amounts secured against property or business assets can mean lower relative cost. Suitable for expansion, refinancing, or consolidating multiple commitments into one structured plan.

Asset Finance (Hire Purchase, Finance Lease)

Acquire plant and equipment—excavators, diggers, telehandlers, scaffolding systems, vans—while preserving cash. The asset typically serves as security and repayments can align to seasonal workloads.

Invoice Finance (including Pay-When-Paid and Contract Finance)

Unlock cash tied up in applications for payment and certified invoices. Construction-focused facilities can work with CIS and contract-based billing, and some options align repayments to “pay-when-paid”.

Development & Bridging Finance

Short-term funding for site acquisition, groundworks, and residential/commercial developments. Bridging cover can help between completion and refinance/sale. Staged drawdowns may be available.

Equipment & Vehicle Finance

Dedicated funding for plant, tools, vans and HGVs. Choose hire purchase, lease or other structures with options for low deposits and flexible profiles that match project cash cycles.

VAT & Tax Funding

Spread HMRC liabilities to reduce pressure during busy build phases. Keeps projects moving while avoiding sudden cash drain from quarterly VAT or annual tax bills.

Refinance & Consolidation

Restructure existing finance to reduce monthly outgoings or release equity from owned assets—supporting new project bids or adding capacity without overstretching cash flow.

At-a-Glance: Construction Finance Options

Get Started – Match Me to Lenders

Who We Help in UK Construction

We introduce UK limited companies and LLPs operating across the construction supply chain, including:

• Main contractors and management contractors
• Specialist trades: groundworks, M&E, scaffolding, roofing, civils, fit-out
• Developers delivering small to mid-size schemes
• Plant hire businesses and equipment suppliers
• Newly incorporated firms with experienced directors, and established SMEs

Eligibility varies by lender and product. We’ll match you with partners who understand your trade, contract structures and payment cycles. For more sector context, see our overview on construction business loans.

What Lenders Typically Look For (Eligibility)

Business profile

• Legal status: UK Ltd or LLP
• Time trading and sector specialty (e.g., groundworks, M&E, residential, commercial)
• Contract structure (JCT/NEC), retention policies, and client mix

Financials and documentation

• Business bank statements (3–6 months) and management accounts
• Aged debtors/creditors, pipeline and contracts schedule
• CIS/PAYE records if applicable, plus any valuations/certificates

Credit profile

• Business and director credit behaviour; adverse considered case-by-case by suitable lenders

Security & guarantees

• Personal guarantees are common on unsecured facilities
• Debentures/charges for secured borrowing; asset collateral for asset finance

Not sure where you stand? Use our Free Eligibility Check – No Obligation to see likely options before any hard checks.

Costs, Terms and Repayments: What to Expect

Construction finance pricing varies by product type, industry risk, collateral, and credit profile. Facilities can be structured to follow your build program—so cash flows when you need it most.

• Repayment styles: fixed monthly, seasonal or step profiles, interest-only/rolled-up (bridging/development), and “pay-as-paid” alignments on some construction invoice finance.
• Terms: from a few months (bridging/VAT) to multiple years (asset/secured loans).
• Fees: arrangement, valuation/legal, and ongoing fees may apply depending on provider and facility.

Rates, fees and terms vary by provider and your circumstances. For an indicative view matched to your business, request a Get My Personalised Quote.

How Our Process Works

1. Quick Enquiry (under 2 minutes): Tell us your business details and funding goals.
2. Smart Match: We connect you with trusted UK lenders/brokers experienced in construction.
3. Rapid Response: Usually same business day to discuss options and next steps.
4. Compare, Decide, Fund: Review offers and choose what fits—no pressure, no obligation.

Using us is free for business owners. Start Your Enquiry

Real-World Scenarios We See in Construction

• Main contractor bridging 45–60 day cycles: A contract finance facility unlocks cash from certified applications, so site progress and payroll aren’t delayed by slow payments.
• Groundworks firm adding a second crew: Hire purchase funds a new excavator and tipper, alongside a modest unsecured top-up for materials—growth without draining cash.
• Developer securing a site quickly: Bridging finance completes acquisition pending a development facility; staged drawdowns then fund groundworks and superstructure.
• Specialist roofer facing material price spikes: An unsecured loan covers short-term inflationary costs, protecting margin until project cash receipts catch up.

Discuss your scenario with a sector-experienced partner: Get Started

Why Choose Fast Business Loans

• Sector-experienced partners: We connect you with lenders/brokers who understand CIS, valuations, retentions and phased payments.
• Speed and simplicity: A single short enquiry unlocks multiple relevant options.
• Free to use, no obligation: Explore choices without pressure to proceed.
• Transparent and secure: Data handled responsibly and shared only with relevant partners.
• Clear, fair and not misleading: We keep information straightforward and practical.

Free Eligibility Check

What We Don’t Do (Compliance Clarity)

• We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice.
• We do not guarantee approval, speed, or a particular rate.
• Your enquiry with us won’t affect your credit score. If you proceed, a broker/lender may conduct credit checks.
• All funding is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria.

See our Privacy Policy and Terms for details.

Documents Checklist to Speed Things Up

• Company details and director ID
• Business bank statements (3–6 months)
• Latest accounts and management figures
• Contracts/pipeline list and any certifications/valuations
• CIS/PAYE summaries if applicable
• Asset list (for asset/secured facilities)
• Property details (for secured/development/bridging)
• HMRC overview (for VAT/tax funding)

No printer needed—you can upload securely to your matched partner. Start Your Enquiry

FAQs

Can a newly incorporated construction company apply?

Yes—some partners support newly incorporated UK limited companies and LLPs, especially where directors have relevant experience, viable contracts, and appropriate security/guarantees.

Do you help CIS-registered companies?

Many partners can support CIS-registered businesses operating through UK limited companies or LLPs. Options depend on turnover, contract structure and credit profile.

How fast can funding be arranged?

Some facilities can complete within 24–72 hours after approval; development and bridging typically take longer due to valuations and legal due diligence.

Will my enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Your enquiry with Fast Business Loans will not affect your credit score. If you proceed, a broker or lender may perform credit checks.

What loan sizes are available?

We typically match enquiries from £10,000 upwards, including multi-million facilities for asset, invoice, bridging and development funding—subject to product and eligibility.

What is pay-when-paid invoice finance?

A construction-focused facility aligning repayments with your client payment cycles. It helps reduce cash-flow stress on applications for payment and certified invoices.

Can I finance plant, tools and vehicles?

Yes—via asset and equipment finance (hire purchase/lease), often with flexible profiles and options to align with seasonal or project-based income.

Are there early repayment fees?

It depends on the product and provider. Your matched partner will outline all costs and any early repayment charges before you proceed.

Do you charge me a fee?

No. Our service is free for business owners. We may receive an introducer fee from partners—this does not affect the rate or terms you’re offered by them.

Are your partners regulated?

We connect you with trusted, UK-based lenders and brokers. Regulatory status varies by provider and product. Details are disclosed by the broker/lender before you proceed.

Ready to Unlock Construction Finance?

Free eligibility check. No obligation. Get matched in minutes.

• Get Quote Now
• Start Your Enquiry

Fast Business Loans is a trading style of Fast Business Loans (UK) Ltd [placeholder]. We do not provide financial advice and are not a lender. We introduce you to brokers and lenders who may be able to help. Your details are shared only with relevant finance partners. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. Enquiring will not affect your credit score.

Helpful links: Privacy Policy · Terms · Complaints · Cookie Policy

– What is a construction business loan and how does it help UK builders and contractors? It’s tailored funding to pre‑finance materials and labour, bridge valuation/retention gaps, and finance plant or vehicles so projects stay on schedule.

– Who is eligible to apply for construction finance through Fast Business Loans? UK limited companies and LLPs across the construction supply chain—including CIS‑registered firms—may be eligible, subject to status, affordability and lender criteria.

– Are you a lender and do you provide financial advice? No; we’re a free introducer that connects you with trusted UK lenders and brokers, and we do not provide financial advice.

– Will my enquiry affect my credit score? No, completing our Free Eligibility Check won’t affect your credit score, though brokers or lenders may run credit checks if you choose to proceed.

– How quickly can construction funding be arranged? Many unsecured, asset or VAT facilities can fund in 24–72 hours after approval, while development and bridging typically take longer due to valuations and legal work.

– What types of construction finance can I access? Options include unsecured and secured business loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance (including pay‑when‑paid/contract finance), development and bridging loans, and VAT/tax funding.

– How much can I borrow and over what term? We commonly see facilities from £10,000 to multi‑million sums with terms from a few months (VAT/bridging) up to 7–10 years for asset or secured lending, depending on product and eligibility.

– Can a newly incorporated construction company apply? Yes, some partners support new UK Ltd/LLP firms where directors have relevant experience, viable contracts and appropriate guarantees or security.

– What documents do lenders usually require for construction finance? Expect 3–6 months’ business bank statements, accounts/managements, aged debtors/creditors, contract/pipeline schedules, CIS/PAYE records, and any valuations or asset/property details.

– Can I get finance with adverse credit or complex contracts (JCT/NEC, retentions, pay‑when‑paid)? Some specialist lenders consider adverse credit and can work with CIS, applications for payment, retentions and JCT/NEC structures on a case‑by‑case basis.