Construction Business Loans: UK Finance for Contractors, Developers, and Trades

Fast Business Loans connects UK construction businesses with trusted lenders and brokers — free eligibility check, no obligation.

• Get matched to relevant construction lenders/brokers
• Free, no‑obligation eligibility check (won’t affect your credit score)
• Options for cash flow, equipment, invoices, bridging/development

Get Started (Free Eligibility Check)
Takes under 2 minutes. No obligation. No impact on your credit score.

Trust note: We’re not a lender and don’t provide financial advice. We act as an introducer to verified UK finance partners who follow fair treatment principles.

Summary (quick answer): Construction business loans and finance solutions help UK contractors, developers and trades manage uneven cash flow, buy plant and vehicles, fund materials, and bridge property projects. Fast Business Loans does not lend; we match your business to suitable lenders and brokers for options such as working capital loans, construction invoice finance (including JCT/CIS applications), asset and equipment finance, trade/materials finance, and bridging/development funding. Complete a short form for a free eligibility check (no credit score impact) and compare personalised terms subject to status, affordability and lender criteria.

Table of Contents

1. What Are Construction Business Loans?
2. Construction Finance Options We Can Connect You With
3. Who Is Construction Finance For?
4. How Our Matching Service Works
5. Eligibility and Documents: What Lenders Consider
6. Rates, Fees, and Terms — What to Expect
7. Funding Scenarios (Illustrative Examples)
8. How to Choose the Right Construction Finance
9. Why Choose Fast Business Loans
10. Construction Business Loans — FAQs
11. Important Information
12. Ready for a Free Eligibility Check?

What Are Construction Business Loans?

Construction business loans are finance solutions designed for the realities of UK building and development. Projects are paid in stages, JCT applications must be certified, retentions delay cash, materials often need paying up‑front, and CIS deductions can squeeze margins. Specialist construction finance aims to smooth this cycle and unlock capital when you need it.

• Working capital to bridge stage payments and retentions
• Finance for plant, vehicles, and specialist equipment
• Invoice and application finance aligned to JCT/CIS processes
• Bridging and development funding for property schemes

Availability and terms vary by lender and your circumstances, and all credit is subject to status and affordability.

Check eligibility in 2 minutes

Construction Finance Options We Can Connect You With

We work with UK lenders and brokers who understand construction. Depending on your needs, the panel may offer:

Working Capital and Cash Flow Loans

Unsecured or secured funding for labour, subcontractors, materials, and overheads. Terms vary (short to medium). Useful to mobilise new contracts or cover timing gaps between applications for payment.

Construction Invoice Finance (incl. JCT/CIS and Applications for Payment)

Advance a percentage of approved invoices or certified applications so you’re not waiting on main contractor or client payment cycles. Some providers support JCT applications, CIS, and uncertified stage billing. This can stabilise payroll and supplier payments.

Asset and Equipment Finance (Plant, Machinery, Vehicles)

Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, or Operating Lease for diggers, dumpers, cranes, MEWPs, vans, and specialist tools. Spread costs, preserve cash, and upgrade productivity.

Trade/Materials Finance

Specialist facilities to pay suppliers up-front for materials. You repay as project drawdowns or payments arrive. Often complements invoice finance to fund the full delivery cycle.

Bridging Loans and Development Finance

Short-term bridging for purchase or refurbishment; development finance with staged drawdowns aligned to your build schedule (residential or commercial). Typically supported by valuations, QS reports, and build cost monitoring.

Information is for example purposes only; terms vary by lender and applicant. Credit is subject to status and affordability. Fees and interest apply.

Get a free, no‑obligation quote — we’ll match you with construction‑friendly lenders/brokers.

Who Is Construction Finance For?

• Main contractors and subcontractors
• Developers and housebuilders
• Civil engineering firms
• Groundworks, roofing, M&E, joinery, interiors, and other trades
• Plant hire and building services companies

Whether you’re scaling up, navigating seasonal demand, or bridging retentions, we’ll connect you with partners who understand construction.

How Our Matching Service Works

1. Complete a quick enquiry (under 2 minutes).
2. We match you to trusted UK brokers/lenders who know construction.
3. You’ll receive a fast call/email to discuss options and documents.
4. Compare offers and proceed if you’re happy — no pressure, no obligation.

• Your enquiry does not affect your credit score. Partners may run checks only if you choose to proceed.

Get Started | Free Eligibility Check

Eligibility and Documents: What Lenders Consider

Criteria vary by lender and product. A specialist broker will explain specifics, but typical factors include:

• Time trading and turnover (some partners may consider newer businesses)
• Profitability and cash flow profile (stage payments, retentions, CIS)
• Credit history of the business and directors (adverse considered by some)
• Existing commitments and liabilities
• Contract pipeline, signed orders, JCT applications and certifications
• CIS statements, VAT position, aged debtors/creditors
• Security available (assets, property, personal guarantees)

Typical documents requested:

• Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements
• Latest filed accounts and/or management accounts
• Director ID and proof of address
• Key contracts, applications for payment, invoice schedules
• Asset lists/quotes (for equipment/plant finance)

Providing documents doesn’t guarantee an offer. Finance is subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria.

Rates, Fees, and Terms — What to Expect

Pricing depends on the product type, risk profile, loan size/term, and the security offered. Invoice finance may have service/discount fees; development funding may include valuation, monitoring, and legal costs; asset finance typically includes interest plus documentation or option‑to‑purchase fees.

Some lenders offer early settlement or overpayment options. Security requirements vary: unsecured facilities often include personal guarantees; secured loans may include charges over assets or property.

We don’t set rates. Any examples are for information only and not an offer. You’ll receive personalised terms directly from the lender/broker.

Funding Scenarios (Illustrative Examples)

For illustration; not a quote.

Example A — Subcontractor cash flow via application finance
A specialist M&E subcontractor is waiting for a Tier 1 contractor to certify a JCT application. Using a construction invoice finance facility that supports applications for payment, they draw down against the certified portion within 24–48 hours, keeping payroll and supplier accounts on time.

Example B — Groundworks firm invests in plant
A groundworks company acquires a 13‑ton excavator and a tipper via Hire Purchase over 48 months. The kit reduces external hire costs and increases productivity, while preserving cash for materials and labour.

Example C — Small residential development
A developer secures development finance with staged drawdowns tied to QS milestones (land, substructure, superstructure, first fix, completion). This aligns funding with the build schedule and sales receipts.

Speak to a specialist broker — Get Quote Now

How to Choose the Right Construction Finance

• Cash tied up in applications/invoices? Consider construction invoice finance.
• Buying plant or vehicles? Consider asset/equipment finance (HP/lease).
• Bridging a purchase/refurb? Consider bridging finance.
• Ground‑up build? Consider development finance with staged drawdowns.
• General working capital? Consider unsecured/secured business loans.

A specialist broker will outline pros, cons, costs, and security for your specific situation.

Why Choose Fast Business Loans

• Sector expertise: We connect you to lenders who understand construction
• Speed: Enquiry to contact typically the same business day
• Choice: Wide panel of trusted UK brokers/lenders
• No obligation: Compare options and proceed only if you’re happy
• Secure: We handle your data responsibly and share only with relevant partners
• Free for business owners: We do not charge you for our matching service

Free Eligibility Check — No impact on your credit score.

Looking for more on construction business loans tailored to UK contractors and developers? Explore how sector‑specific options can help you mobilise, build, and scale with confidence.

Construction Business Loans — FAQs

Are you a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We connect UK businesses to trusted brokers and lenders. We don’t lend or give financial advice.

Will my enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Your initial enquiry won’t affect your credit score. Partners may run credit checks only if you choose to proceed.

How quickly could I receive funding?

It varies by product and documents. Some facilities can complete in days; property and development funding may take longer due to valuations and legal work.

Do you support new construction businesses?

Many partners can consider newer companies subject to status. Signed contracts, security, and strong cases help.

Can I get finance with adverse credit?

Potentially. Some lenders consider adverse cases where affordability and security are sufficient.

What is construction invoice finance?

It advances a percentage of approved invoices or certified applications (including JCT/CIS) so you can manage cash flow while awaiting payment.

What security is required?

Varies. Some loans are unsecured with personal guarantees; asset and property finance are secured. Your broker will outline specifics.

What loan sizes are available?

We typically connect businesses seeking from around £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities, subject to status and product type.

Can I finance VAT or materials?

Certain partners may offer VAT funding or trade/materials finance, subject to eligibility and lender criteria.

What fees should I expect?

Arrangement and documentation fees are common; invoice finance may include service/discount fees; property/development deals can include valuation, monitoring, and legal costs. All costs are disclosed by the lender/broker.

Do you provide financial advice?

No. We provide information and introductions. Consider independent advice if you are unsure about suitability.

How do I start?

Complete our short enquiry for a free eligibility check. It takes less than 2 minutes and there’s no obligation: Get Started.

Important Information

• Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We introduce businesses to brokers/lenders.
• Our service is free for business owners; we may receive a fee from partners if you proceed.
• Finance is subject to status, affordability, and lender criteria. Terms, conditions, fees and interest apply. Security and personal guarantees may be required.
• Missed or late payments can have serious consequences and may affect your credit rating and ability to obtain future credit.
• Nothing on this page is a recommendation or an offer. Always consider independent advice if unsure.
• Partners are registered with or introduced by brokers who follow FCA guidelines.

Ready for a Free Eligibility Check?

Tell us what you need. We’ll connect you with trusted UK construction finance partners fast. No obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Get Started  |  Get Quote Now
Takes under 2 minutes. No impact on your credit score.

Useful resources

• GOV.UK: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)
• JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) overview

– What are construction business loans and how do they help UK contractors and developers?
They provide specialist finance to smooth cash flow, fund plant and vehicles, pay for materials, and bridge or develop property projects across the UK.

– Are you a lender, and how does your service work?
We’re not a lender; Fast Business Loans is a free introducer that matches your construction business with trusted UK lenders and brokers based on your needs.

– Will the eligibility check affect my credit score?
No, our free eligibility check won’t affect your credit score, and partners only run checks if you choose to proceed.

– How fast can I get funding for a construction project?
Timing depends on the product and documents, with invoice/application and asset finance often completing in days and bridging/development typically taking weeks due to valuations and legal work.

– What types of construction finance can I access through you?
You can be matched to working capital loans, construction invoice finance (including JCT/CIS applications), asset and equipment finance, trade/materials finance, and bridging or development funding.

– Do you support new construction businesses or those with adverse credit?
Yes, many partners consider start-ups and businesses with adverse credit subject to status, affordability, contracts, and available security.

– What loan sizes and terms are typical for construction finance?
Facilities often range from around £10,000 to multi‑million, with terms from 3–72 months for loans and 6–36+ months for bridging/development depending on security and lender criteria.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect to provide 3–6 months’ business bank statements, accounts or managements, director ID and address, key contracts or JCT applications, and asset quotes if relevant.

– What security or guarantees might be required?
Security varies by product, from unsecured loans with personal guarantees to asset‑backed agreements and property charges for bridging and development finance.

– Can I finance JCT/CIS applications, VAT, or up‑front materials?
Yes—construction invoice finance can advance against JCT/CIS applications, while some partners offer VAT loans and trade/materials finance, all subject to eligibility, fees, and lender criteria.