Construction Business Loans: Fast Funding for UK Builders and Contractors

Summary: Construction business loans help UK contractors, builders and developers manage cash flow, buy plant and vehicles, fund materials and labour, and acquire or develop sites. Fast Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender — that connects your company with suitable UK lenders and brokers for options like invoice finance (including CIS applications for payment), asset and equipment finance, bridging, and development funding. Enquiries are free, take less than 2 minutes, and have no impact on your credit score to enquire. Facilities typically start from £10,000 and are subject to status, affordability and security where applicable. Free Eligibility Check.

How Fast Business Loans Works

We make it simple for UK construction companies to explore finance options without contacting dozens of providers.

• Complete a short enquiry form (under 2 minutes).
• We match you to trusted UK construction finance partners.
• Expect a quick call or email to discuss your needs and documents.
• Compare options and proceed only if a proposal suits your business.

We are not a lender and do not offer financial advice. Our service is free for businesses and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Why Construction Firms Use Our Panel

• Sector experience: Partners understand CIS, applications for payment and retentions.
• Speed and choice: Broader access to UK lenders and specialist brokers.
• Transparent process: Terms and rates set by providers; clear next steps.
• Low friction: Enquiry won’t impact your credit score; you decide if you proceed.

What Is Construction Business Finance?

Construction business finance covers a range of funding designed to manage project cash flow, buy or refinance plant and vehicles, pay suppliers and payroll, and acquire or develop sites. It includes short-term working capital, invoice-backed facilities for staged applications, and property-backed bridging and development finance.

Because each site, phase and contract is different, the “right” solution depends on trading history, order book, billing method, and available security. Our role is to connect you quickly to partners who specialise in matching finance to construction realities. Explore our construction business loans guide for further context.

Types of Construction Finance We Can Connect You To

Every project is different — here are common options our partners offer. Availability and suitability depend on your business circumstances. This page is for information only and not financial advice.

Working Capital Business Loans (Unsecured/Secured)

Use cases: Short-term gaps between applications for payment, small refurbishments, supplier deposits, and general cash flow. Terms typically 6–60 months. Unsecured loans often require a personal guarantee; larger facilities may be secured against assets or property.

Pros: Fast decisions; flexible use. Cons: Cost varies by risk; security/PG may be required; affordability checks apply. Facilities usually start from £10,000.

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

Use cases: Unlock cash tied up in staged invoices/applications, cover 30–90+ day cycles and retentions. Supports contractors and subcontractors operating under CIS.

Types: Factoring (collections support) vs. confidential invoice discounting (you keep collections). Expect verification of applications, concentration limits, and controls designed for construction billing. Key benefit: funding that grows with your order book, often reducing reliance on overdrafts.

Asset Finance (Plant, Machinery, Tools, Vehicles)

Use cases: Excavators, telehandlers, cranes, scaffolding, MEWPs, vans and HGVs. Options include hire purchase (HP), finance lease, and refinancing owned assets to release working capital.

Benefits: Preserve cash flow, align repayments with asset life, potential tax efficiencies (seek independent advice). Facilities from £10,000+ are common.

Equipment Finance and Tooling

Use cases: Specialist equipment (e.g., temporary power, site cabins, surveying instruments), IT, BIM/project management software. Options: leasing and HP. Often fast decisions for standard kit.

Bridging Loans (Short-Term Property Finance)

Use cases: Auction purchases, pre-development site acquisition, planning gain, and chain breaks. Usually 6–18 months, interest options vary, commonly secured on property with valuation and legal processes. Designed for speed where appropriate security exists.

Property Development Finance

Use cases: Ground-up builds, conversions, heavy refurbish, and phased schemes. Typical features include staged drawdowns against a monitoring surveyor’s sign-off, interest rolled up, and strong focus on experience, GDV, build costs, and contingency.

Security is essential; specialist partners assess planning status and equity contribution. For experienced SMEs and developers seeking structured funding from £10,000 upward (larger schemes significantly higher).

VAT and Tax Funding

Use cases: Cover VAT on materials imports or staged builds; manage HMRC liabilities. Timing is critical; partners assess revenue, filing history and repayment capacity.

Vehicle and Fleet Finance

Use cases: Vans, pickups, HGVs and potential EV transition. Options include HP, leasing and refinance. Consider downtime risk, total cost of ownership, and lead times.

Refinance/Consolidation

Use cases: Restructure multiple debts, release equity from owned plant/vehicles, potentially reduce monthly outgoings. Be mindful that longer terms can increase total interest paid.

Merchant Cash Advance (Where Card Takings Apply)

Less common for site-based firms, but can suit trade counters or businesses with regular card receipts. Repayment flexes as a percentage of takings, helpful for seasonality.

Availability, rates, and terms depend on your circumstances, credit status, and security. Fees, interest, and charges are set by providers. We do not provide advice.

Who We Help

We support UK limited companies and incorporated SMEs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including:

• Main contractors and subcontractors
• Trades: groundworks, M&E, roofing, scaffolding, joinery, fit-out
• Plant hire and building services firms
• SME developers and experienced contractors seeking development funding
• Firms with strong order books and those with imperfect credit (subject to status)

Minimum facility sizes typically start from £10,000.

Eligibility: What Lenders Often Look For

• Time trading, turnover and profitability trends
• Order book/contracts, applications for payment and retentions profile
• CIS position, debtor quality and dispute history
• Business and director credit files, CCJs, and personal guarantees
• Security: property, plant, vehicles or other assets where relevant
• Project experience, site team and risk controls
• Development finance specifics: GDV, build costs, planning status, equity contribution, monitoring requirements

What to Prepare for a Faster Quote

• Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements
• Latest accounts and recent management figures
• Aged debtor/creditor reports (especially for invoice finance)
• Key contracts, order book, or Heads of Terms
• Asset list (owned plant/vehicles) and any valuations
• Directors’ ID and proof of address
• Recent VAT returns (if seeking VAT/tax funding)
• Build schedule and cost plan (for development projects)

Costs, Risks, and Transparency

Construction finance may include interest, arrangement fees, valuation/monitoring fees (for property-backed facilities), and legal costs. For asset/vehicle finance, consider documentation and option-to-purchase fees. Early settlement terms vary by product and provider. Unsecured facilities often require a personal guarantee; secured facilities may place assets or property at risk if repayments are not maintained.

No approval is guaranteed. All funding is subject to provider criteria, status, affordability and, where applicable, security. Your enquiry with us won’t impact your credit score; partners may carry out credit checks if you choose to proceed.

Why Choose Fast Business Loans

• Fast matching to construction‑savvy lenders and brokers
• Save time vs. multiple cold enquiries; compare in one place
• Free to use for businesses; no obligation to proceed
• Clear, people‑first process with your data handled securely
• Options across invoice, asset/equipment, bridging and development funding

Realistic Use Cases

Subcontractor bridges 60‑day cycle with invoice finance: An M&E subcontractor with a £250k package unlocks staged applications to cover payroll and materials, stabilising cash flow while waiting for main contractor sign-off and retention release.

SME developer secures site with bridging, then moves to development finance: A company buys at auction using a short-term bridge secured on property. After achieving revised planning, they refinance into a development facility with staged drawdowns tied to QS reports.

Groundworks firm acquires excavator via HP: The business funds a new excavator on hire purchase, aligning repayments to project phases and preserving working capital for materials and labour.

Construction Finance FAQs

1) Are you a lender?
No. We connect UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers. Our service is free for business owners and there’s no obligation.

2) Will my enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your score. If you choose to proceed, partners may carry out credit checks.

3) How quickly could I get funding?
Some asset or invoice solutions can be arranged in days. Property‑backed facilities (bridging/development) typically take longer due to valuations and legal work. Timelines depend on product and case complexity.

4) What amounts are available?
Typical facilities start from around £10,000, with potential to £5 million+ depending on product, eligibility and security.

5) Can start-ups get construction finance?
Potentially, especially with contracts or an order book and experienced directors. Product choice may be more limited.

6) Do you support CIS and applications for payment?
Many invoice finance partners can work with construction applications for payment and CIS processes.

7) What security do I need?
Varies by product. Unsecured loans commonly require a personal guarantee. Asset, bridging and development finance are typically secured on assets or property.

8) Can I apply if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
Yes. A wider panel may increase your chances, subject to status and affordability.

9) What documents will I need?
Bank statements, management accounts, debtor reports, contracts/order book, ID, and project documents (see checklist above).

10) Do you work UK‑wide?
Yes — across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

11) What’s the minimum term?
Depends on product. Working capital loans can start from 6 months; bridging 6–18 months; asset finance often 2–5 years.

12) What does it cost to enquire?
Nothing. It’s free to submit an enquiry and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Trust, Transparency, and Compliance

We’re not a lender and we don’t offer financial advice. We act as an introducer to UK finance brokers and lenders. Financial information on this page is general and for guidance only. Providers set their own rates, terms and fees; all funding is subject to status, affordability checks and, where applicable, security. Your details are shared only with relevant finance partners to progress your enquiry. Always consider independent advice for tax or legal matters.

1) What is construction business finance? – It’s funding tailored for UK builders, contractors and developers to manage cash flow, buy plant/vehicles, pay for materials and labour, and acquire or develop sites via options like invoice finance (CIS/applications), asset finance, bridging and development finance.

2) Are you a lender? – No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK construction businesses with trusted lenders and brokers, free and with no obligation.

3) Will my enquiry affect my credit score? – No, submitting an enquiry with us won’t impact your credit score, though partners may run checks if you choose to proceed.

4) How quickly can I get funding? – Many invoice or asset facilities can be arranged in days, while bridging and development funding usually take longer due to valuations and legal work.

5) How much can I borrow? – Facilities typically start from around £10,000 and can go to £5 million+ depending on product, eligibility, security and affordability.

6) Can start-ups or firms with imperfect credit get construction finance? – Potentially yes, especially with contracts/order book, experienced directors and/or suitable security, subject to status and affordability.

7) Do you support CIS and applications for payment? – Yes, many invoice finance partners can fund staged applications and work with CIS processes, including verification and construction-specific controls.

8) What documents should I prepare to speed things up? – Usually 3–6 months’ bank statements, latest accounts/management figures, aged debtor/creditor reports, key contracts or order book, directors’ ID, and project or asset details.

9) What security or guarantees are required? – Unsecured loans often need a personal guarantee, while asset, bridging and development finance are typically secured on equipment or property, subject to provider criteria.

10) Do you operate UK‑wide and what does it cost to enquire? – Yes, we cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and enquiries are free with a quick, no‑obligation eligibility check.