Summary: Construction business loans help UK construction firms bridge cash flow gaps from stage payments, retentions, and upfront costs for materials, plant, and payroll. Fast Business Loans is a free introducer that matches limited companies and LLPs with suitable UK lenders and brokers for options like unsecured working capital, invoice finance (CIS and staged billing), asset and plant finance, materials funding, VAT loans, and bridging/development finance. Enquiries take under two minutes, there’s no obligation to proceed, and approval is subject to lender assessment. We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice.

Construction Business Loans: Fast, Simple Access to UK Construction Finance

From stage payments and retentions to upfront materials and plant, construction cash flow can be tough. Fast Business Loans connects UK construction companies with specialist lenders and brokers who understand JCT/NEC contracts, CIS, applications for payment, and staged billing. Our service is free to use, quick to start, and there’s no obligation to proceed. We’re not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice — we simply help you reach the right finance partners, fast.

What Is Construction Finance and Who Is It For?

Construction finance is a set of funding options designed for the way the sector works: long payment cycles, stage certifications, retentions, and substantial upfront costs for labour, materials, plant, and prelims. The goal is to stabilise cash flow so you can mobilise sites, pay subcontractors, buy materials, and invest in equipment without waiting for certifications or final accounts.

It’s commonly used by main contractors, subcontractors, housebuilders and developers, specialist trades (M&E, civils, groundworks), fit-out/refurb firms, building services companies, and plant hire businesses. Whether you’re servicing JCT or NEC contracts, dealing with CIS deductions, or scaling for a new framework win, construction finance can help bridge the gap.

Types of Construction Business Finance We Can Connect You To

Every option depends on your circumstances, contract profile, and lender assessment. Tell us what you need and we’ll match you to appropriate specialists for construction business loans and flexible finance solutions.

Working Capital and Unsecured Business Loans

Flexible funding to mobilise new projects, cover payroll for employees and subcontractors, or buy materials when suppliers won’t extend terms. Typical terms range from 3–60 months; amounts are usually based on turnover, trading history, and credit profile. Personal guarantees are commonly requested. Approval and terms remain subject to lender criteria and affordability checks.

Invoice Finance for Construction (CIS & stage payments)

Release cash tied up in applications for payment, certified invoices, and staged billing. Facilities can work alongside JCT/NEC contracts and help you draw funds as soon as your application is approved or the invoice is certified. Lenders will assess debtor quality, contract terms, aged debtor lists, and concentration risks. Many providers are familiar with CIS and construction-specific documentation.

Contract/Project Finance

Funding aligned to signed contracts or progress certificates, helping you draw down as milestones are achieved. Useful for larger or longer-duration projects with clearly defined deliverables and payment schedules. Expect specialist underwriting and close scrutiny of programme, risk, and counter-party quality.

Asset & Equipment Finance (Plant, Machinery, Tools)

Hire purchase, finance lease, and refinance of owned assets for excavators, telehandlers, cranes, MEWPs, small tools, and modular buildings. Terms often range from 1–7 years depending on asset life and usage. Asset-backed lending can preserve working capital while upgrading capability and meeting site demands.

Vehicle & Fleet Finance

Fund vans, pickups, and HGVs via HP, lease, or contract hire. Options are available for new and used vehicles, with structures to suit both growth and replacement cycles.

Materials & Trade Finance

Short-term facilities to bridge materials purchases from UK and overseas suppliers. Sometimes structured via purchase order or trade finance. Typically subject to supplier due diligence, contract reviews, and proof of end-customer demand.

VAT & Tax Funding

Spread HMRC liabilities to protect project cash flow. Commonly 3–12-month terms, subject to affordability and credit assessment.

Bridging & Development Finance

For ground-up builds, conversions, and heavy refurbishments. Interest is often retained or rolled up. Lenders usually require a robust appraisal, QS reports, planning in place, cost-to-complete analysis, and a clear exit (sale or refinance). Higher risk and secured on property; loan-to-cost and GDV covenants apply.

Common Use Cases We See in Construction

• Buy materials upfront when suppliers won’t extend credit terms
• Cover payroll and subcontractors during delayed certifications
• Mobilise sites and fund prelims for newly awarded contracts
• Purchase or lease plant and vehicles to meet programme demands
• Smooth cash flow during retention periods and final accounts
• Fund VAT and annual insurance premiums without straining cash
• Finance sustainability upgrades (e.g., lower-emission plant, greener site kit)

Eligibility and What Lenders Look For

Business Profile

UK-registered limited companies and LLPs only (minimum funding from £10,000). Start-up and early-stage businesses may be considered where experienced directors, contracts, or security are present. We do not arrange finance for sole traders.

Revenue & Pipeline

Turnover trends, gross margins, and work-in-progress visibility. Details on pipeline, concentration risk, and contract terms (e.g., JCT/NEC) help lenders assess stability. Evidence of repeat clients and clear milestone schedules can strengthen a case.

Credit Profile

Company and director credit history, including any CCJs or arrears. Imperfect credit may still be considered by specialist lenders, subject to security and affordability.

Security & Guarantees

Options range from unsecured facilities with personal guarantees to secured borrowing with debentures, fixed/floating charges, or asset/property security. Structure depends on product type and risk.

Documents Checklist

• Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements
• Filed accounts and/or recent management information
• Aged debtor/creditor lists and WIP schedule
• Copy contracts, applications for payment, certificates
• CIS statements where relevant
• Director ID/address verification
• Asset list/quotes for asset finance
• Planning, cost plan, appraisal, and QS reports for development finance

Costs, Terms, and Risks Explained

Rates, fees, and terms vary widely by lender, product, contract strength, and your profile. We don’t set or guarantee pricing. You’ll receive clear information from the lender or broker before you decide.

Costs may include interest, arrangement/document fees, valuation/QS/legal fees (for property/development), early settlement fees, and any broker fees (disclosed by the broker if applicable).

• Secured borrowing is secured against assets or property. You could lose them if you don’t keep up repayments.
• Borrow responsibly. Ensure affordability and seek independent advice if unsure.
• There is no guarantee of approval or funding amount.

How Our Free Matching Service Works

1. Complete a quick enquiry — tell us about your business and funding needs. It takes under 2 minutes.
2. We match you with trusted UK brokers/lenders experienced in construction finance.
3. Rapid response via phone/email to discuss options and documents.
4. Compare and decide — proceed only if you’re happy. No obligation.

We’re an introducer, not a lender, and we do not provide financial advice.

Why Use Fast Business Loans for Construction Finance?

• Construction-savvy matching — we connect you with partners who understand CIS, stage payments, retentions, and JCT/NEC contracts.
• Save time — one quick enquiry routes you to suitable options for working capital, invoice, asset, or development funding.
• Wider choice — access a range of UK lenders and brokers without calling around.
• Transparent and secure — your details are shared only to progress your enquiry.
• Free and no pressure — it’s free to enquire, and you decide if and when to proceed.

For deeper sector reading, see our guide to construction business loans.

How Fast Can Funding Happen?

• Unsecured working capital / asset finance: often 24–72 hours once approved and documents are ready.
• Invoice finance: onboarding typically 3–7 working days.
• Bridging/development: commonly 2–6+ weeks due to valuations, QS reports, and legals.

Timelines vary by lender and complexity. Being responsive and preparing documents early speeds things up.

Illustrative Snapshots (Anonymised)

• Subcontractor cash flow: £150k invoice finance line; first draw within 5 days of onboarding; smoothed cash flow across staged payments and retentions.
• Plant acquisition: £85k hire purchase for excavator on a 5-year term; site mobilisation achieved without draining cash reserves.
• Small developer: £1.8m development facility at conservative leverage; initial drawdown 5 weeks after valuation, QS, and legals, aligned to cost-to-complete.

These are examples, not offers. Terms depend on individual assessment.

FAQs: Construction Business Loans

Do you lend money directly?
No. We’re an introducer. We connect UK construction businesses with suitable lenders and brokers. We do not provide financial advice.

Does my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Submitting an enquiry to us won’t affect your score. If you choose to proceed, lenders may run credit checks as part of their assessment.

What is the minimum and maximum I could access?
Typically from £10,000 to £5m+ depending on product, turnover, assets/security, and project details. Approval and amounts are subject to lender criteria.

Can start-ups or newly formed contractors apply?
Potentially, if you’re a UK limited company or LLP with experienced directors, viable contracts, and/or suitable security. Lender appetite varies.

Can I finance applications for payment or uncertified stage invoices?
Some specialist providers can consider applications and certifications, subject to verification of contracts, debtor quality, and evidence of works completed.

Do you support CIS subcontractors?
Yes — many partners understand CIS, staged billing, applications for payment, and retentions common in construction.

What documents will I need?
Bank statements, accounts/MI, aged debtor lists, contracts/certificates, CIS statements, ID/address, asset quotes, and for developments: planning, appraisal, build costs, and QS reports.

How quickly can I get funds?
Unsecured and asset finance can complete in 24–72 hours once approved. Invoice finance onboarding is often 3–7 working days. Development and bridging usually take longer due to due diligence.

Will I need a personal guarantee?
Common for unsecured facilities and sometimes for secured borrowing depending on structure and risk. Your lender or broker will make requirements clear before you decide.

Are there fees?
Lenders and/or brokers may charge fees. All fees will be disclosed before you choose to proceed.

Important Information and Disclaimers

Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We act as an introducer to UK finance brokers and lenders. Your details are shared only with relevant partners to progress your enquiry. Borrowing is subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria; there is no guarantee of acceptance. Terms and costs vary by provider and profile. Secured loans are secured on assets or property — you could lose them if you do not keep up repayments. We aim to ensure all information is clear, fair, and not misleading.

Related Guides

• Asset Finance (Plant & Equipment)
• Invoice Finance for SMEs
• Vehicle & Fleet Finance
• Development Finance
• Sustainability Loans (for low-emission equipment/site upgrades)

1) What is construction business finance and how does it work? It’s funding tailored to UK contractors that bridges cash flow gaps from stage payments, retentions, and upfront costs for materials, plant, and payroll.

2) Is Fast Business Loans a lender or broker? We’re a free introducer that connects UK limited companies and LLPs with suitable lenders and brokers, and we don’t provide financial advice.

3) What types of construction finance can you connect me to? Unsecured working capital, invoice finance for CIS and staged billing, contract/project finance, asset and plant finance, vehicle finance, materials/trade finance, VAT loans, and bridging/development finance—via partners who understand JCT/NEC contracts.

4) Can I fund applications for payment or staged/certified invoices? Yes, some specialist lenders can advance against applications for payment and staged/certified invoices, subject to contract verification, debtor quality, and evidence of works completed.

5) Who is eligible to apply? UK-registered limited companies and LLPs seeking £10,000+ can apply; start‑ups may be considered with experienced directors, viable contracts or security, and we don’t arrange finance for sole traders.

6) How much can I borrow and what terms are available? Facilities typically range from £10,000 to £5m+ with terms from 3–60 months for loans (longer for asset/development finance), all subject to lender assessment and affordability.

7) Will checking eligibility affect my credit score? No—submitting an enquiry with us won’t affect your score, though lenders may run credit checks if you choose to proceed.

8) How quickly can I get funding? Unsecured and asset finance can complete in 24–72 hours once approved, invoice finance onboarding is usually 3–7 working days, and bridging/development often takes 2–6+ weeks due to valuations, QS and legals.

9) Will I need security or a personal guarantee? Personal guarantees are common for unsecured facilities and secured borrowing may require debentures, fixed/floating charges or asset/property security, depending on product and risk.

10) How does the process work and is there any obligation or cost to use your service? Complete a 2‑minute enquiry, we match you with construction‑savvy UK lenders/brokers for a rapid response, and you choose whether to proceed—our service is free and there’s no obligation.