Construction Business Loans and Finance for UK Contractors

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK construction companies and contractors with trusted lenders and brokers for funding of £10,000 and upwards. From working capital and plant to invoice, materials, VAT, and development finance, we match your business with relevant partners quickly. We’re not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice. Free to enquire, no obligation, and your enquiry won’t affect your credit score. Get Quote Now.

Fund materials, labour, and plant. We match you with trusted lenders and brokers fast.

• Free eligibility check, no obligation
• We’re not a lender and don’t give financial advice — we connect you with vetted partners
• Your enquiry won’t affect your credit score; partners may run checks if you proceed

Get Quote Now • Free Eligibility Check
Takes less than 2 minutes. Fast response by phone or email.

Table of Contents

1. Why Construction Businesses Use Finance
2. Types of Construction Finance We Can Help You Access
3. How Our Free Matching Service Works
4. Eligibility, Documents, and Timeframes
5. Rates, Fees and Repayments
6. Construction-Specific Considerations Lenders Look For
7. Example Scenarios
8. Why Use Fast Business Loans
9. What You’ll Need to Start Your Enquiry
10. FAQs: Construction Business Loans
11. Important Information and Disclaimers

Why Construction Businesses Use Finance

Common cash flow pressures in construction

Construction cash flow is unique. You often pay for materials and labour upfront, then wait on stage payments, valuations, and retentions. That creates pressure when:

• Materials must be paid before the first valuation
• Stage payments are delayed
• Clients pay slowly on certified invoices
• Retentions tie up cash for months
• Seasonal demand, fuel, and wage costs spike

Typical scenarios we support

• Starting a new JCT contract and needing working capital before first draw
• Bridging to the next drawdown or valuation
• Hiring specialists or covering payroll for subcontractors
• Buying plant/vehicles or upgrading equipment
• Settling VAT/tax while protecting cash flow
• Funding materials against confirmed orders or pro-formas

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Types of Construction Finance We Can Help You Access

We connect you with lenders/brokers who understand construction, CIS, JCT and stage payments. There’s no single “best” option — partners tailor solutions to your circumstances. All funding is subject to status and affordability.

Unsecured business loans (short–medium term)

• Use cases: working capital, bridging stage payments, gaps before valuation
• Features: fixed term and repayments; personal guarantee often required
• Amounts: typically from £10,000 and up, subject to assessment

Secured business loans

• Use cases: larger facilities at potentially lower rates
• Security: property, debenture, or other assets

Invoice finance for construction

• Unlock cash from certified applications/invoices; factoring or invoice discounting
• Designed to align with JCT stages; many lenders exclude retention until released
• Learn more about invoice finance for construction

Asset and equipment finance (plant/vehicles)

• Fund excavators, telehandlers, access platforms, vans/HGVs, modular buildings
• Hire purchase, finance lease, or operating lease
• See plant and equipment finance, equipment finance, and vans and fleet finance

Materials and purchase order finance

• Fund materials upfront against confirmed purchase orders or supplier pro-formas
• Supports larger orders and spreads cash cycle risk

VAT and tax funding

• Spread HMRC liabilities over 3–12 months to smooth cash flow

Revolving credit facilities (overdraft alternatives)

• Flexible drawdown for ongoing working capital; pay interest only on what you use

Development and bridging finance (for contractor-led projects)

• For contractors who also develop or acquire sites
• Staged drawdowns, QS monitoring, valuations, and legals required

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At-a-glance comparison

How Our Free Matching Service Works

1) Complete a quick enquiry

Share basic business details, amount, purpose, and timelines. It takes under 2 minutes.

2) We match you with trusted partners

Relevant lenders/brokers experienced in construction, CIS, JCT, and stage payments.

3) Rapid response and options

Typically within hours (often minutes during business hours). No obligation.

4) Compare, decide, and fund

Choose if and when to proceed. We’re not a lender and don’t provide financial advice. Our service is free for business owners. We may receive a commission from partners if you proceed.

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Eligibility, Documents, and Timeframes

Who can apply

• UK limited companies and LLPs only (we do not support sole traders)
• Minimum facility size: £10,000
• Start-ups and newer businesses considered by some partners where contracts and experience support affordability

Indicative eligibility factors (subject to lender criteria)

• Time trading and turnover trajectory
• Profitability and affordability
• Credit profile and existing borrowing
• Security available (for secured options)
• Contract pipeline, JCT schedules, and references
• CIS position and HMRC status

Documents that speed up decisions

• 3–12 months’ business bank statements
• Last filed accounts + recent management accounts
• Aged debtors/creditors; sample contracts or JCT docs
• Proof of ID/address for directors
• CIS statements and HMRC status
• Equipment quotes (for asset/plant finance)

Typical time to funding

• Unsecured loans: 24–72 hours after docs
• Invoice finance: facility in days; cash often same/next day post-setup
• Asset finance: 24–72 hours (longer for higher-value/complex assets)
• Bridging/development: 2–6+ weeks (valuations, legals, QS)

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Rates, Fees and Repayments (Clear, Fair, Not Misleading)

What affects pricing

• Loan type, term, and security
• Sector risk and credit profile
• Affordability and existing commitments
• Contract quality, stage schedules, retentions
• Asset age/condition (for plant/vehicles)

Indicative cost ranges (guidance only)

• Unsecured business loans: Rates vary by risk/term; any quoted rate is provided by the lender/broker before you sign
• Invoice finance: Service fees and discount rates typically shown as monthly/30-day percentages of invoice value; partners disclose total cost of credit
• Asset finance: Fixed monthly payments over agreed term; partners provide total amount payable before commitment

Transparency you can expect

• Clear documentation from partners detailing interest, fees, and total amount repayable
• No obligation to proceed; no upfront fees payable to Fast Business Loans
• We do not guarantee approval; all facilities subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria

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Construction-Specific Considerations Lenders Look For

• Contracts, stage payments, retentions: Clear schedules, realistic valuations, and main contractor references help forecast inflows
• CIS and HMRC position: Up-to-date filings; open communication if payment plans are in place (see official HMRC CIS guidance)
• Supply chain and materials risk: Confirmed POs, price stability, and supplier terms
• Health and safety, insurance, compliance: Evidence of cover and site policies builds confidence (see HSE construction safety)
• Directors’ experience and pipeline: Strong track record and diversified customers

Example Scenarios (Illustrative only)

Working capital for a new JCT contract

Need: £150k to fund labour/materials pre-first valuation
Potential solutions: Unsecured loan or revolving facility; invoice finance can help once certificates are issued

Excavator purchase

Need: £85k for new plant
Potential solution: Hire purchase with manageable monthly payments; balloon may reduce the monthly outlay

Bridging a VAT quarter spike

Need: £40k to settle VAT without impacting payroll
Potential solution: VAT loan repaid over 3–6 months

Disclaimer: These examples are for illustration only and are not quotes or offers.

Why Use Fast Business Loans

• Save time; speak to the right people first: Sector-matched lender/broker introductions, fast
• Construction expertise: Partners who understand JCT, CIS, valuations, and retentions
• Free to use; no obligation: Your enquiry won’t affect your credit score
• Transparent and privacy-focused: Your details are shared only with relevant partners; see our privacy policy and about page

Explore our broader guide to construction business loans and options for contractors.

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What You’ll Need to Start Your Enquiry

• Company name and contact details
• Funding amount (from £10,000) and purpose
• Desired timeframe
• Optional: last 3 months’ bank statements to accelerate matching

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FAQs: Construction Business Loans

What is a construction business loan?
Finance designed for contractors to fund materials, labour, plant, stage-payment gaps, VAT, and growth. We connect you to lenders/brokers who tailor options to your project and cash flow.

Will my enquiry affect our credit score?
No. Enquiries via Fast Business Loans won’t affect your score. If you choose to proceed, a lender/broker may run credit checks.

How fast can we receive funds?
Many unsecured, invoice, and asset finance decisions can be made within 24–72 hours once documents are provided. Complex facilities (e.g., development) take longer. Timings depend on lender processes.

Do you support start-ups and smaller contractors?
Some partners consider new limited companies and LLPs, especially where there’s relevant experience, contracts-in-hand, or strong personal profiles. Minimum facility size £10,000.

Can you help if we’ve had a declined application elsewhere?
Often, yes. Different lenders assess risk differently. Matching with the right specialist can improve your chances.

What if we have CCJs or limited credit history?
Specialist lenders may still consider applications subject to status, affordability, and security. A transparent explanation and supporting documents help.

Do you provide performance bonds?
Some partners can arrange bonds/guarantees; discuss with the specialist you’re introduced to.

What documents do lenders usually ask for?
Bank statements (3–12 months), accounts/managements, aged debtor/creditor lists, JCT/contracts, ID/address, CIS and HMRC status, plus quotes for plant/equipment where relevant.

Is finance available against uncertified applications or retentions?
Many lenders fund certified stages and may exclude retentions until released. Partners will confirm what’s eligible.

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No. We’re an introducer. We connect UK businesses with lenders/brokers. Our service is free for business owners; no obligation to proceed.

Free Eligibility Check

Important Information and Disclaimers

• We are not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice. We act as an introducer, connecting UK businesses with finance brokers and lenders.
• Your enquiry with Fast Business Loans will not affect your credit score. Our partners may carry out credit checks if you choose to proceed with them.
• Eligibility, rates, and terms are subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria. We do not guarantee funding offers.
• Our service is free for business owners. We may receive a commission from partners if you take out finance.
• Always read the full terms and costs provided by the lender/broker before you commit. Financial promotions should be clear, fair, and not misleading.

Related solutions

• Invoice finance for construction
• Asset finance for plant and machinery
• Equipment finance
• Vehicle finance for vans and fleets
• Sustainability finance for eco upgrades on sites

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Secure • No obligation • No credit score impact to enquire

– What types of construction finance can I get?
Unsecured and secured business loans, invoice finance aligned to JCT stages, asset/plant and vehicle finance, materials/purchase order finance, VAT/tax funding, revolving credit, and bridging/development finance.

– How much can I borrow for construction finance?
Facilities typically start from £10,000 and can scale higher based on turnover, contract pipeline, security, and affordability.

– How fast can I get funding?
Unsecured, invoice, and asset finance can often fund in 24–72 hours after documents, while development/bridging usually take 2–6+ weeks.

– Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No—enquiries via Fast Business Loans won’t affect your credit score, though partners may run checks if you choose to proceed.

– Who is eligible to apply?
UK limited companies and LLPs (not sole traders) from £10,000+ are eligible, subject to status and affordability.

– Do you support start-ups or firms with CCJs/limited credit history?
Yes—some partners consider start-ups and imperfect credit where experience, contracts-in-hand, or security support affordability.

– Can you fund materials and purchase orders before the first valuation?
Yes—materials and purchase order finance can fund upfront supplier costs against confirmed orders or pro-formas.

– Do you finance JCT/CIS invoices, uncertified applications, and retentions?
Specialist invoice finance can advance against certified applications/invoices under JCT/CIS, while uncertified stages and retentions are usually excluded until certified/released.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect 3–12 months’ bank statements, filed and management accounts, aged debtors/creditors, JCT/contracts, director ID and address, CIS/HMRC status, and quotes for plant/equipment if relevant.

– Are you a lender and what does your service cost?
We’re not a lender—we connect you with trusted lenders and brokers, and our matching service is free with no obligation to proceed.