Construction Business Loans: Fast, Fair Funding for UK Contractors

Flexible finance to fund materials, labour, equipment and project cash flow. Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and LLPs in construction with trusted lenders and brokers. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

• No impact on credit score to enquire
• Free to use and no obligation
• Matched to suitable UK brokers and lenders

Summary

Construction business loans are funding solutions designed for contractors, developers, and trades operating under JCT or similar contracts, where stage payments, applications for payment and retentions can strain cash flow. Through Fast Business Loans, you can get quickly connected to specialist lenders and brokers for options like working capital, invoice/application finance (including CIS), plant and equipment finance, trade/supply chain finance, bridging and development finance, and refinancing — typically from £10,000 and up, subject to status. Enquiring is free, takes under 2 minutes, and won’t affect your credit score.

What Are Construction Business Loans?

Construction business loans are finance facilities designed specifically for UK construction companies (limited companies and LLPs) that manage irregular cash flow due to stage payments, applications for payment, retentions, and long supplier terms. They help fund materials, plant, labour, mobilisation costs and multiple concurrent projects.

Fast Business Loans connects you with specialist brokers and lenders who understand JCT contracts, CIS, valuations, and drawdowns. Whether you need to bridge retentions, unlock cash from unpaid applications, or purchase plant and machinery, we’ll match you with suitable options quickly and transparently.

For a deeper sector overview, explore our industry guide to construction business loans — and then return here to complete your free eligibility check.

What Can You Use the Funding For?

• Materials, plant hire and equipment purchase/lease
• Labour and subcontractor payroll (including mobilisation and holiday periods)
• Mobilisation costs, prelims, and bid-related expenses
• Bridging retentions and slow client payments
• VAT outlays and HMRC Time To Pay support (where applicable)
• Fuel, insurance, PPE, site security and welfare facilities
• Running multiple concurrent jobs or scaling into larger contracts

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Types of Construction Finance We Can Help You Access

Working Capital Loans (Unsecured/Secured)

What it is: Flexible funding to smooth cash flow, cover payroll, and mobilise teams prior to stage payments.

When suitable: Short-term gaps between applications or certifications, or when building up labour and materials before the first draw.

Typical features: Terms from months to a few years, fixed repayments, may require a personal guarantee (PG). Secured options may use business assets as collateral.

Consider: Affordability on existing pipeline; security and PG implications.

Invoice Finance and Applications for Payment Finance

What it is: Advance a proportion of unpaid invoices or certified applications to unlock working capital on day one.

When suitable: Main contractors and subcontractors under JCT or similar frameworks, especially where terms are 30–60+ days with retentions.

Typical features: Funding line against receivables/applications; service and discount fees; concentration and debtor quality matter.

Consider: Assignment permissions under contracts, notices to payers, and customer concentration. Learn more about receivables options on our invoice finance page.

Asset Finance (Hire Purchase, Leasing, Refinance)

What it is: Finance for plant, machinery and tools — new or used — via HP, finance lease, or refinancing of owned assets to release equity.

When suitable: Acquiring excavators, telehandlers, compressors, and heavy kit without large upfront capital.

Consider: Ownership and balloon profile, deposit requirements, and maintenance/residual risk. See options on our asset finance page.

Equipment and Vehicle Finance

What it is: Facilities for vans, pickups, tower lights, generators, scaffolding systems and more.

When suitable: Fleet expansion and site equipment upgrades to win bigger or more concurrent projects.

Consider: Insurance, utilisation rates, and delivery timelines relative to project start dates.

Trade Finance and Supply Chain Finance

What it is: Support for purchasing materials from UK or overseas suppliers and managing supplier payment terms.

When suitable: Large material orders prior to deposits or certifications; negotiating early-payment discounts.

Consider: Supplier credibility, shipping timelines, and hedging for FX on imports.

Bridging Loans and Property Development Finance

What it is: Short-term bridging for acquisitions and staged development finance for ground-up builds, conversions and refurbs.

When suitable: Residential or mixed-use schemes with clear appraisals, QS oversight, and defined exit (sale or refinance).

Consider: Drawdown schedules, monitoring surveys, contingency, and exit strategy feasibility.

Refinance and Consolidation

What it is: Restructuring existing facilities to reduce monthly outgoings or simplify multiple credit lines.

When suitable: After rapid growth or where previous borrowing has become fragmented and costly.

Important: Features, limits, terms and costs vary by lender and are subject to status and affordability checks. Minimum facility sizes typically start from £10,000.

Eligibility, Security and What Lenders Look For

Lenders assess the overall quality and affordability of your business. Typical factors include:

• Time trading (from newco to 10+ years) and director experience
• Turnover and margin trends; pipeline and order book
• 3–12 months’ business bank statements
• Latest filed accounts and up-to-date management accounts
• Aged debtor/creditor reports; CIS statements (if relevant)
• VAT/HMRC status and any Time To Pay arrangements
• Contract structure (JCT, stage payments, retentions) and payer quality
• Project mix (residential/commercial), geographic spread and client concentration

Security: Personal guarantees, debentures, and asset charges may be required. Your assets could be at risk if you don’t keep up repayments.

Credit history: Past CCJs or arrears aren’t automatic declines. Clear context, current performance, and sustainable affordability help specialist lenders make fair decisions.

Costs, Terms and Fees — What to Expect

Costs depend on product type, risk profile, and term. Typical components include:

• Interest or discount charges
• Arrangement or facility fees
• Valuation, monitoring surveyor or QS fees (development)
• Drawdown or exit fees (bridging/development)
• Service fees for receivables facilities
• Early settlement considerations (HP/lease)

You’ll receive transparent, total-cost information from the broker/lender before you make any decision. Rates and terms are set by the lender. We do not quote rates on this page.

Free Eligibility Check — See Your Options with No Obligation

Start-Ups, Subcontractors and Bad Credit Options

Start-Ups and New Contractors

New limited companies can still access funding. Typical routes include smaller working capital facilities, asset finance for essential kit, and invoice/application finance once billing begins. A strong plan, early contracts, and credible director CVs help significantly.

Subcontractors (CIS)

Limited companies operating under CIS can often use invoice or application finance tailored to JCT/valuation cycles. Lenders focus on payer quality, verification status, and contract terms to structure the right facility.

Adverse Credit

If there are historic issues, be open about them. Provide management accounts, bank statements, and any HMRC arrangements to demonstrate current performance. Some lenders specialise in complex cases where affordability is now sound.

What Documents Do You Need?

• Basic business details and director ID (KYC)
• Last 3–12 months’ business bank statements
• Latest filed accounts and current management accounts
• Aged debtor/creditor listings; CIS statements (if relevant)
• Key contracts (JCT), order book, and pipeline outline
• Asset list (for asset finance/refinance)
• Project appraisals, QS reports and exit plans (for development)

Don’t have everything yet? Start your enquiry — a broker will advise what’s essential for your specific case.

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How Our Process Works (Fast)

1. Complete a short form (under 2 minutes).
2. We match you with selected UK brokers/lenders who understand construction.
3. Rapid response by phone/email to discuss tailored options.
4. Compare and decide — you’re free to proceed or walk away.

Indicative timelines: many working capital or receivables decisions within 24–72 hours once documents are in order. Development finance takes longer due to valuations and monitoring. All timelines are subject to status and the product chosen.

Why Use Fast Business Loans?

• Sector expertise: civils, fit-out, M&E, groundworks and main contracting
• Save time vs. calling dozens of lenders yourself
• Free to use; no obligation; no credit impact to enquire
• Clear, fair and not misleading information; transparency throughout
• Data handled securely and only shared with relevant finance partners

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Important Information and Transparency

• Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender; we do not provide financial advice.
• Eligibility, rates, amounts and funding speed depend on your circumstances, product type, and lender criteria.
• Security and personal guarantees may be required.
• Your enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may perform credit checks if you choose to proceed.
• Late or missed repayments can have serious consequences for your business and make future borrowing more difficult.

FAQs: Construction Business Loans

Are you a lender and will my enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer. Your enquiry through our site won’t affect your credit score. If you proceed with a lender, they may run credit checks.

How quickly can I get funding?

Some working capital or invoice/application finance decisions can be made within 24–72 hours once documents are ready. Asset and development finance may take longer due to valuations and underwriting. Timelines vary by lender and complexity.

What security do I need to provide?

It depends on the product and lender. Personal guarantees, debentures or asset charges may be required. Unsecured options may still need a PG. Your broker will explain before you proceed.

Can you help if I’m a subcontractor under CIS?

Yes — for limited companies operating under CIS. Invoice/application finance and working capital solutions exist for CIS contexts. Lenders consider payer quality, contract terms and verification status.

Do you support start-ups?

Yes, many partners support new limited companies with smaller facilities, asset finance for essential equipment, or invoice finance once billing begins. A strong plan and early contracts help.

How much can I borrow?

Our panel typically supports facilities from around £10,000 up to multi-million solutions, subject to status, product type and underwriting.

What will it cost?

Costs vary by product, risk and term. You’ll receive a clear cost breakdown and key information from the lender before you decide. There is no obligation to proceed.

What information should I prepare?

Bank statements, recent accounts and management accounts, CIS statements (if relevant), key contracts/pipeline, and an asset list for plant and equipment. See our documents checklist above.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check

Tell us what you need, and we’ll connect you with construction-savvy brokers and lenders who can help. It’s free to enquire, takes under 2 minutes, and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Quote Now — We’ll Match You with the Right Lender

Helpful pages: About Us | Invoice Finance | Asset Finance | General FAQs