Construction Business Loans: Fast, Flexible Finance for UK Contractors

Facing long payment terms, retentions and heavy upfront costs for labour, plant and materials? Construction is tough on cash flow. Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and LLPs in construction with trusted lenders and brokers who understand your sector and can provide tailored business finance solutions.

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Quick answer: Construction business loans in the UK are funding facilities tailored to project-based cash cycles. They include working capital loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice and contract finance, VAT/tax loans and short-term bridging (via introductions). You can use them to cover materials, labour, plant, and to bridge long payment terms and retentions. Fast Business Loans is not a lender; we introduce your enquiry to relevant lenders and brokers who can help. Minimum funding typically £10,000+.

What Are Construction Business Loans and How Do They Work?

Construction business loans are funding solutions designed for the realities of UK contracting: upfront mobilisations, staged payments, QS certifications, applications for payment, and retentions. Rather than a one-size-fits-all product, “construction finance” is an umbrella term for tools such as working capital loans, asset/equipment finance, construction-aware invoice finance, contract finance, VAT/tax loans, and short-term bridging via introductions.

What this means for you: choose the right tool for each job. Asset finance can fund plant and vehicles; invoice/contract finance can unlock cash tied up in applications and certifications; working capital loans can smooth payroll and supplier deposits.

Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We introduce your enquiry to trusted UK brokers and lenders who understand construction’s payment flows and can discuss options directly with you.

• Smooth cash flow between applications for payment
• Finance plant, tools, vehicles, and site equipment
• Bridge costs for materials and labour on new projects
• Scale up for larger contracts with less cash strain

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Types of Construction Finance We Can Help You Access

Different projects need different funding tools. Through our partners, we can introduce a broad range of construction finance options to UK businesses.

Working Capital and Unsecured Business Loans

Use for payroll, supplier deposits, tender mobilisation, insurance, certifications and day-to-day cash flow.

Typical features (illustrative only, subject to status):

• Amounts: from ~£10,000 to £500,000+
• Terms: c. 3–60 months
• Security: often director PG; may be unsecured subject to underwriting
• Speed: decisions in days in many cases

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Asset and Equipment Finance (Plant, Tools, Vehicles)

Hire purchase, finance lease, or operating lease for excavators, telehandlers, dumpers, MEWPs, vans and more. Preserve cash and align repayments with project revenues; potential tax efficiencies (seek advice from your accountant).

• Amounts: typically from ~£10,000 to £1,000,000+ (deal dependent)
• Deposits: sometimes 5–20%
• Terms: c. 12–72 months

Related: See our asset finance and equipment finance pages.

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Invoice Finance for Construction (Including Applications and Certifications)

Unlock cash tied up in applications for payment, stage invoices, and certified works. Construction has unique complexities (set-off, “pay-when-paid” clauses, retentions), so specialist funders are key.

• Advance rates: often up to 70–90% of eligible invoice value (varies)
• Fees: service fee + discount rate on funds in use (illustrative only)
• Facility types: disclosed or confidential; recourse or non-recourse

Related: invoice finance.

See If You Qualify for Invoice Finance

Contract Finance and Trade Finance

Funding against specific contracts to purchase materials or begin works ahead of milestones. Useful where schedules of works and creditworthy counterparties can be evidenced.

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Bridging and Short-Term Property/Development Finance

Short-term funding for site acquisition, refurbishment, or pre-development cash needs (via introductions to specialist brokers/lenders). Deal- and security-specific, often priced monthly.

• Typical pricing: c. 0.5%–1.5% per month plus fees (illustrative)
• Terms: typically 3–18 months

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VAT and Tax Loans

Spread VAT or corporation tax bills to protect project cash flow, especially during peak mobilisation periods.

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Looking for industry insights? Visit our resource on construction business loans for more sector-focused context.

Common Use Cases in Construction

• Materials and supplier deposits upfront
• Hiring and paying subcontractors and labour
• Plant purchase, hire, servicing and maintenance
• Managing 30–120 day payment terms, certifications and retentions
• Compliance costs: insurance, bonding, H&S upgrades, accreditations
• Mobilising newly won tenders and framework contracts

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Who Can Apply? Eligibility and What Lenders Look For

We work with UK businesses structured as limited companies and LLPs. Minimum funding is typically £10,000.

• Time trading: many lenders prefer 6–12 months+, but certain asset and equipment facilities may support newer businesses with deposit/security
• Turnover and affordability: evidence of contracts, pipeline and cash flow
• Credit profile: directors and business credit usually assessed if proceeding (your initial enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your score)
• Sector specifics: JCT/NEC contracts, QS valuations, applications for payment and retentions — specialist partners understand these

Related services: cashflow loans | about us | FAQs

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Documents That Help You Get a Faster Decision

• 3–6 months business bank statements
• Latest management accounts and/or filed accounts
• Aged debtors/creditors list (for invoice/contract finance)
• Copies of major contracts or purchase orders
• Asset quotes/spec sheets (for equipment finance)
• Director ID and proof of address

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Costs, Rates, and Terms — What to Expect

All pricing is subject to status and underwriting. The ranges below are illustrative only:

• Working capital loans: often c. 8%–30% APR equivalent; 3–60 months
• Asset/equipment finance: often c. 6%–15% APR equivalent; 12–72 months
• Invoice finance: service fee + discount margin (e.g., c. 0.5%–5% per month on funds in use); facility fees may apply
• Bridging: often c. 0.5%–1.5% per month plus fees; 3–18 months

Security may include personal guarantees, debentures, asset charges and/or property security depending on the product. Pricing varies by risk, sector, contract strength and credit profile. No guarantees are made on this site.

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How Fast Business Loans Works (Simple, Free, No Obligation)

1. Complete a quick enquiry — less than 2 minutes; no impact on your credit score to enquire.
2. We match you with trusted partners — relevant UK brokers/lenders with construction expertise.
3. Receive a rapid response — usually within hours during business hours.
4. Compare, decide, and fund — you choose if/when to proceed.

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Why Use Fast Business Loans for Construction Finance?

• Sector expertise: Partners who understand applications for payment, retentions and set-off
• Save time: One enquiry; we connect you to relevant providers
• Better fit: Matched to lenders/brokers who finance your type of projects
• Transparent and secure: Free service for UK businesses; details shared only with relevant partners
• No obligation: You’re in control

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Quick Case Studies (Illustrative Only; Results Vary)

Groundworks Subcontractor Scales for a New Framework
Need: £150k to cover labour and materials on 60–90 day terms
Solution: Construction-aware invoice finance facility via our panel
Outcome: Reduced cash gaps and enabled parallel projects; facility scaled with turnover

Plant Upgrade for Civil Engineering Firm
Need: £85k excavator on hire purchase
Solution: Asset finance introduced through our network
Outcome: Fixed payments aligned with project revenues and improved utilisation

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Application Checklist (What to Prepare)

• Company details (name, reg number, trading start date)
• Contact details for decision-maker(s)
• Funding need (amount, purpose, timelines)
• 3–6 months bank statements
• Latest accounts/management info
• Key contracts/POs or pipeline detail
• Quotes for any equipment to be financed

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FAQs: Construction Business Loans

Does my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Enquiring via Fast Business Loans won’t affect your score. Partners may run checks only if you decide to proceed.

Who can apply?
UK limited companies and LLPs operating in construction and related trades. Minimum funding typically £10,000.

Do you support newly incorporated businesses?
Many partners prefer 6–12 months trading, but certain asset/equipment facilities and smaller working capital lines may help newer businesses with deposit/security, subject to status.

What about retentions and applications for payment?
Specialist lenders on our panel understand construction workflows and may fund certified works/applications, subject to eligibility and terms.

How quickly can funding be arranged?
Working capital and asset finance can be days; invoice/contract finance facilities may take longer initially but speed up after set-up. Timelines vary by product and underwriting.

What amounts are available?
From c. £10,000 up to multi-million facilities across different products, subject to status and security.

Are you a lender?
No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We connect your enquiry to relevant lenders and brokers.

Do you charge a fee?
Our service is free for business owners. We may receive a commission from partners if you proceed — this doesn’t affect the price you pay.

Is funding guaranteed?
No. All finance is subject to status, affordability, and underwriting.

Can I consolidate existing facilities?
Some partners offer refinance/consolidation; suitability depends on your circumstances.

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Compliance and Disclosures

Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We introduce UK businesses to finance brokers and lenders. Enquiries are free and there’s no obligation to proceed. All figures and product examples on this page are illustrative only and subject to status, terms and underwriting. Costs can vary. Always read your agreement and consider professional advice (e.g., from an accountant) where appropriate. Enquiring via our site does not impact your credit score; if you proceed, partners may conduct credit and affordability checks. We may receive an introduction fee from partners if you take out a product introduced via our service. Your data is handled securely and shared only with relevant partners aligned to your enquiry.

Related pages: Invoice Finance | Asset Finance | Cashflow Loans | Contact | Related industries: Building Services, Engineering & Manufacturing

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1) What is a construction business loan and how does it work?
A construction business loan is UK funding tailored to project-based cash cycles—covering materials, labour and plant—via tools like working capital, asset/equipment, invoice/contract, VAT/tax and short-term bridging finance.

2) Who can apply and do you support newer businesses?
UK limited companies and LLPs can apply, with many lenders preferring 6–12 months’ trading, though some asset/equipment and smaller working capital facilities may support newer firms with deposit/security, subject to status.

3) How much can I borrow for my construction company?
Facilities typically range from around £10,000 to multi-million limits depending on product type, security and affordability.

4) How fast can I get funding?
Working capital and asset finance can complete in days, while invoice/contract finance may take longer to set up but allows faster ongoing drawdowns once live, subject to underwriting.

5) Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your initial enquiry is a free eligibility check that doesn’t affect your score; partners may run credit checks only if you choose to proceed.

6) Can you fund applications for payment, certifications and retentions?
Specialist lenders can fund certified works and staged applications (retentions are usually excluded), helping bridge long payment terms on JCT/NEC contracts.

7) What rates and terms should I expect?
Indicatively, working capital c. 8%–30% APR, asset/equipment c. 6%–15% APR (12–72 months), invoice finance a service fee plus discount margin on funds in use, and bridging c. 0.5%–1.5% per month, all subject to status.

8) What security or guarantees are required?
Depending on the facility, lenders may require a director personal guarantee, debenture, asset charge and/or property security, while some options can be unsecured subject to affordability.

9) What documents help me get a quick decision?
3–6 months’ bank statements, latest accounts/management info, aged debtors/creditors (for invoice/contract finance), key contracts or POs, equipment quotes, and director ID/address.

10) Are you a lender and do you charge a fee?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects you to trusted UK brokers and lenders, and our service is free for business owners (we may receive commission if you proceed, which doesn’t affect your price).