Construction Business Loans for UK Builders, Contractors, and Developers

Cash flow in construction is rarely straightforward. Long payment cycles, retentions, rising material costs, mobilisation outlays, and upfront labour all put pressure on working capital—especially when you’re scaling. Fast Business Loans makes it simple to explore construction business finance without ringing around or filling out endless forms. We’re not a lender and we don’t provide financial advice. We connect UK construction businesses with trusted brokers and lenders who understand your sector and can move quickly with options that fit your situation.

• Free to use and no obligation
• Initial eligibility check without affecting your credit score (partners may run checks if you proceed)
• Matched to UK finance partners experienced in construction funding
• Funding from £10,000 to £5,000,000+ subject to status and security

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How Our Construction Finance Matching Works

1. Complete a 2-minute enquiry
   Share a few details about your business, how much you’d like, and what you need it for (e.g., plant, payroll, materials, project costs).
2. We match you with relevant partners
   Our platform connects you with a focused panel of UK brokers/lenders who specialise in construction finance.
3. Rapid response
   Expect a call or email—often within hours—to discuss options such as unsecured or secured loans, asset finance, invoice or contract finance, development or bridging.
4. Compare and decide
   Review offers at your pace. There’s no pressure to proceed. Choose only if it suits your needs.

Start your enquiry

Who We Help in the Construction Ecosystem

We connect finance partners who understand the demands of UK construction and property delivery, including:

• Main contractors and principal contractors
• Specialist contractors and trades firms
• Housebuilders and property developers
• Civil engineering, groundworks, and infrastructure firms
• Plant hire and equipment-intensive businesses
• Building services, M&E, HVAC, and fit-out companies
• Refurbishment, demolition, roofing, scaffolding, and cladding firms

Types of Construction Business Finance We Can Help You Explore

Important: All finance is subject to eligibility, affordability, and underwriting by the lender. Terms vary by lender; security may be required.

Unsecured Business Loans

• Typical uses: working capital, payroll, materials, marketing, small tools
• Amounts: ~£10k–£500k
• Terms: 3–60 months
• Security: usually a personal guarantee; no physical collateral required

Secured Business Loans

• Typical uses: larger projects, refinancing, stabilising cash flow
• Amounts: ~£50k–£5m+
• Terms: 12–84+ months
• Security: charge over assets or property may be required

Asset Finance (Plant & Machinery)

• Includes: excavators, telehandlers, cranes, MEWPs, generators, vans & HGVs
• Structures: hire purchase, lease, refinance (asset release)
• Benefits: preserve cash; spread equipment costs; seasonal or structured payments

Equipment Finance and Technology

• Includes: tools, surveying kit, IT/BIM hardware, prefabrication equipment
• Benefits: keep tech current; match payments to useful life

Invoice Finance for Construction (including Applications for Payment)

• Options: invoice discounting, factoring, and selective facilities
• Specialist funders may work with staged applications and retentions (case-by-case)
• Benefits: unlock cash tied up in slow-paying contracts; reduce debtor days

Contract Finance

• Designed for milestone or stage-payment contracts
• May advance funds against certified applications or performance
• Useful when taking on larger contracts or frameworks

Development Finance (Residential & Commercial)

• Fund land purchase and build costs
• Tranche drawdowns aligned to build stages; interest often rolled up
• Can be paired with exit finance/bridging

Bridging Loans

• Short-term, property-backed funding for acquisitions, refurbishments, or timing gaps
• Useful where speed is critical while a longer-term facility is pending

Commercial Mortgages

• For buying owner-occupied premises, yards, depots, or investment property
• Longer terms and typically lower rates than unsecured borrowing

VAT and Tax Funding

• Spread large VAT or corporation tax bills over manageable payments
• Preserve cash for operations and project delivery

Materials Finance and Trade Credit Facilities

• Short-term facilities to fund bulk materials with staged repayments
• Can align with delivery and site schedules

Retention and Late Payment Solutions

• Some providers offer facilities to mitigate retentions or long debtor cycles (case-by-case)
• Often integrated with invoice/contract finance

Check your eligibility in minutes

What Construction Finance Can Be Used For

• Buying or leasing plant, vehicles, and site equipment
• Funding labour and payroll during peak phases
• Upfront materials and supplier costs
• Bridging gaps created by long payment terms and retentions
• Mobilisation and preliminaries on new contracts
• Site setup, welfare, and health & safety equipment
• Refurbishments, fit-outs, and expansions
• Land acquisition and build costs via development finance
• Insurance premiums and performance obligations (note: bonds/surety are specialist and outside standard lending)

Eligibility: What Lenders Typically Look For

Requirements vary by partner and product, but lenders commonly consider:

• Trading history and financials (new companies can be considered for selected products)
• Latest filed accounts and recent bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Contract pipeline, major clients, and payment terms
• Evidence of applications/certifications and debtor quality
• Compliance history with HMRC
• Existing liabilities and credit profile (business and directors)
• Security available (for secured facilities)
• Track record and experience for developers and contractors

Get matched to lenders who understand construction

Indicative Rates, Terms, and Amounts

Typical market ranges only—your terms depend on your profile and the lender’s assessment.

• Unsecured business loans: from c. 8%–30% APR equivalent; 3–60 months; £10k–£500k
• Secured business loans: from c. 6%–18%; 12–84+ months; £50k–£5m+
• Asset finance (HP/lease): often from c. 6%–18%; 12–84 months; up to 100% of asset value in some cases
• Invoice finance: facility limits based on debtor book; advance rates commonly 70%–90% of eligible invoices; fees vary
• Development finance: up to c. 60%–70% LTGDV and up to c. 80%–90% of build costs; rates/fees depend on scheme, experience, and security
• Bridging: often 0.6%–1.5% per month; typically 3–18 months
• VAT/Tax loans: typically 3–12 months; fixed fee or interest-based

We do not guarantee rates or approval. Lender terms vary and are subject to status, affordability, and underwriting.

Documents Checklist (What to Prepare)

• Company details: name, number, trading address, directors
• Funding need: amount, purpose, timing
• Financials: latest accounts and management figures if available
• Bank statements: typically last 3–6 months
• Contracts: key contract details, applications/certifications, debtor schedules
• Asset details: quotes/invoices/specs for equipment/vehicles (if asset finance)
• Property details: appraisals, GDV, build costs, planning (if development)
• HMRC: VAT/PAYE status and any time-to-pay arrangements
• ID & KYC: standard identity and address verification for directors

Upload details securely via our quick form

How Fast Can Funding Arrive?

Timelines vary by product and complexity:

• Unsecured business loans: often 24–72 hours from complete application
• Asset finance: often 2–5 working days; faster for standard kit with full documents
• Invoice/contract finance: 1–2 weeks for new facilities; drawdowns ongoing after setup
• Bridging: commonly 1–3 weeks (valuation and legals dependent)
• Development finance: typically 3–6+ weeks (due diligence, QS, and legals)

These are indicative only. Your broker/lender will confirm what’s realistic for your case.

Why Use Fast Business Loans for Construction Finance?

• Sector expertise: We connect you with partners who work with contractors and developers every day.
• Save time: One simple enquiry. We handle the matching, so you don’t need to call around.
• Better fit: Improve your chances by speaking to lenders aligned to your business model and contracts.
• No pressure: Our service is free to use with no obligation to proceed.
• Transparent and secure: We share your details only with relevant UK finance partners who treat customers fairly.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Real-World Scenarios We See Often

• Contract growth: Winning a new framework means adding crews now while you wait 60+ days for certification. Working capital is required for payroll and materials.
• Plant upgrade: Replacing ageing telehandlers via hire purchase with seasonal payments aligned to workload.
• Developer bridge: Short-term bridging to secure a site pre-planning, moving to development finance after consent.
• Retentions pressure: Invoice or contract finance to reduce debtor days and ease 5% retentions across multiple jobs.
• VAT quarter: A short-term VAT loan preserves cash for mobilisation on a new contract.

FAQs — Construction Business Loans

Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans won’t affect your credit score. Our partners may perform credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an application.

Are you a lender?
No. Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We act as an introducer, connecting you with UK brokers and lenders.

Can you help newly formed contractors?
Yes. Some partners consider new companies, particularly for asset finance or where directors have strong profiles. Availability depends on your circumstances.

What’s the minimum and maximum I can borrow?
Partners typically help from £10,000 up to £5 million+ across certain secured facilities, subject to status and security.

How soon will someone contact me?
Usually the same business day (often within hours) after your enquiry during working hours.

Are rates fixed or variable?
Both exist depending on product and lender. Your broker/lender will explain the structure and costs before you agree to anything.

Do you charge fees to business owners?
Our service is free for business owners to use. Any broker or lender fees are disclosed clearly before you proceed.

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Important Information and Compliance

• Fast Business Loans is an introducer platform. We are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice. Any finance agreement will be directly between you and the lender/broker you choose.
• All information on this page is intended to be clear, fair, and not misleading. Nothing here is a recommendation or an offer.
• Your eligibility and the terms offered depend on your circumstances, credit status, and the lender’s assessment. Security may be required. Fees and early repayment charges may apply; partners will provide full details before you commit.
• Submitting our enquiry form does not affect your credit score. If you proceed, partners may conduct credit and affordability checks.
• Always review lender documentation carefully and consider independent advice if you are unsure.

Next Steps

1. Complete our short form (under 2 minutes)
2. Get matched to brokers/lenders who understand construction
3. Receive a fast, no-obligation consultation and quote
4. Choose the option that suits your business

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Related Pages

• Asset finance for machinery and vehicles
• Invoice finance (including construction)
• Development and bridging finance
• Sustainability and energy-efficiency funding
• General business loans

– What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
Fast Business Loans is a free UK introducer that matches your business to trusted lenders and brokers via a quick online enquiry, with no obligation to proceed.

– Who can apply for a business loan through Fast Business Loans?
UK start-ups and established SMEs across sectors can apply, and we match you with partners who understand your industry.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your enquiry won’t affect your credit score, and partners only run credit checks if you choose to proceed.

– How quickly will I hear back after I apply online?
You’ll typically receive a call or email within minutes to a few hours during business hours.

– How much funding can I access through your partners?
Our panel can arrange finance from around £5,000 up to £5 million or more, subject to your circumstances.

– What types of business finance are available?
You can be matched to business loans, cashflow loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, refinance, vehicle finance, fit-out finance, commercial finance, and sustainability finance.

– Do you offer both secured and unsecured business loans?
Yes, many partners provide unsecured and secured options depending on eligibility and available security.

– Does Fast Business Loans charge fees or give financial advice?
No—our matching service is free and we don’t give financial advice; we connect you with verified UK brokers and lenders who follow FCA guidelines.

– Can I apply if I was declined for a business loan elsewhere?
Yes, because we work with a wide panel of lenders and specialist brokers, you may still qualify even if you’ve been refused before.

– Which industries do you support for business funding?
We support a wide range of UK industries including construction, hospitality, retail and e-commerce, healthcare, logistics and transport, agriculture, manufacturing and engineering, sustainability projects, and more.