Construction Business Loans — Fast Finance for UK Builders and Contractors

Summary: Need construction finance quickly? Fast Business Loans connects UK construction companies and contractors (limited companies and LLPs) with trusted lenders and brokers for funding from £10,000+. Options may include invoice finance, plant and machinery finance, materials/contract finance, revolving facilities, VAT funding, bridging and development finance. Submit a short enquiry in under 2 minutes for a Free Eligibility Check. We are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice.

Table of contents

• What are construction business loans?
• Who we help in construction
• Types of construction finance we can connect you to
• What can funds be used for?
• Costs, rates and terms explained
• Eligibility and what lenders look for
• How our matching process works
• Why choose Fast Business Loans
• Construction case snapshots
• Tips to improve approval odds
• Risks and considerations
• FAQs
• Compliance and transparency

What are construction business loans?

Construction business loans are finance solutions designed for UK construction companies and contractors to manage cash flow and fund projects. Common uses include buying materials, covering payroll and subcontractors, plant purchase or hire, deposits, retentions, interim cash flow, fit-out and site set-up. Options range from unsecured working capital to specialist products such as invoice finance, plant and machinery finance, materials/contract finance, revolving credit, VAT/tax funding, bridging and development facilities.

Availability, rates and terms depend on status, affordability, security, trading history and each lender’s criteria. We connect you with suitable lenders and brokers; we are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice.

Who we help in construction

• Main contractors and subcontractors across trades: groundworks, civils, M&E, roofing, scaffolding, joinery, decorating and more
• Housebuilders, developers, fit-out and refurbishment specialists, building services firms
• UK limited companies and LLPs — from early-stage to established SMEs

Looking for construction business loans tailored to your next project? Start a Free Eligibility Check today.

Types of construction finance we can connect you to

Different projects and payment schedules call for different tools. We match your needs with partners who understand the realities of stage payments, applications for payment and retentions.

Unsecured business loans

Useful for short-term working capital, smaller equipment purchases or bridging cash gaps. Decisions can be relatively quick for eligible businesses. Facilities often require a director’s personal guarantee. Typical terms are 6–36 months; amount and rate depend on turnover, credit profile and affordability.

Invoice finance for builders and contractors

Releases cash tied up in applications for payment, interim certificates or invoices so you don’t wait 30–90+ days to be paid. Can work alongside CIS and staged billing. Facilities scale with your turnover and can include selective (spot) or whole-ledger approaches. May include specific arrangements for certified applications and retentions.

Asset/plant and machinery finance

Fund excavators, telehandlers, vans, modular buildings and specialist tools — new or used. Options include hire purchase, finance lease, and refinancing owned assets to raise working capital. Terms and deposits vary by asset class, age and condition; security is usually over the asset financed.

Materials/trade finance and contract finance

Helps fund upfront materials, deposits and supplier terms so projects start on time. In some cases, can sit alongside invoice finance. For larger contracts, dedicated contract finance can support mobilisations and drawdowns aligned to milestones.

Development and bridging finance

Supports site acquisition, ground-up builds, conversions and extensions. Typically features staged drawdowns against independent monitoring surveyor (IMS) reports. Interest may be rolled up. Exit is usually from sale or term refinance. Criteria include GDV, experience, planning status and cost-to-complete.

VAT and tax funding

Spread quarterly VAT or corporation tax bills to protect day-to-day cash flow. Terms are short and amounts are based on actual liabilities.

Revolving credit facilities and overdraft alternatives

Flexible drawdown and repayment facilities designed to plug everyday gaps. Useful where cash inflows are lumpy and you need agility around payroll, suppliers and unexpected costs.

Important: Security may be required. Personal guarantees may be requested. Late or missed payments can incur fees and affect your credit rating. Your assets could be at risk if a loan is secured against them.

What can funds be used for?

• Materials, labour and subcontractors
• Plant and vehicle purchase or hire
• Site set-up, welfare and prelims
• Insurances and performance bond premiums
• Retention shortfalls and stage-payment gaps
• Tools, IT, estimating and project software
• Marketing, tendering and framework fees
• Health & Safety and sustainability upgrades
• VAT and tax liabilities (where product allows)

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Costs, rates and terms explained

Pricing varies by product, risk profile, security, sector exposure and time trading. Unsecured working capital can carry higher rates for shorter terms; secured asset and property-backed facilities may offer lower rates but involve valuations, legal work and security. Lenders may charge arrangement, documentation or valuation fees; brokers may charge fees that will be disclosed clearly if applicable. There is no fee to submit an enquiry via Fast Business Loans and no obligation to proceed.

Illustrative example (not an offer): Borrow £50,000 over 24 months. Total cost, interest rate and fees depend on lender assessment, security and your circumstances. Eligibility and terms vary.

We are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice.

Eligibility and what lenders typically look for

Criteria vary by lender and product, but commonly include:

• UK-registered limited company or LLP; active business bank account
• Minimum turnover and time trading vary by product; some products can consider newer businesses
• Directors’ credit profile and affordability assessment; adverse credit may be considered with added security
• Invoice finance: aged debtor list, key contracts/certificates, CIS statements where relevant
• Asset finance: supplier quote and asset details (make/model, age, hours/mileage)
• Development/bridging: GDV, cost plan, planning status, schedule, experience and professional team

Useful documents to prepare:

• Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements and recent management accounts
• Aged debtors/creditors, key contracts or purchase orders
• Director ID and proof of address
• Project appraisals and planning documents (for development)

How our matching process works

1. Complete a quick enquiry in under 2 minutes.
2. We match you with suitable UK lenders/brokers who understand construction.
3. Expect a rapid response by phone or email to discuss options.
4. Compare, decide and fund — with no obligation to proceed.

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Why choose Fast Business Loans for construction funding

• Sector-savvy introductions: talk to partners who understand stage payments, retentions and CIS
• Save time vs cold outreach; increase approval chances by speaking to the right people first
• Compare a range quickly; submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score
• Free to use; transparent; your details handled securely
• No pressure or obligation — you stay in control of any decision

Construction case snapshots (illustrative only)

• Groundworks subcontractor, £250k invoice finance: 60-day terms strained cash flow. A revolving facility released cash from certified applications, scaling with monthly billing and smoothing payroll and materials.
• Joinery firm, CNC via asset finance: Acquired a used CNC on hire purchase, preserving working capital and increasing throughput without tying up cash.
• Small developer, conversion scheme: Bridging finance for acquisition followed by development funding with staged drawdowns; exit via sale.

See what you could access — Get Quote Now

Tips to improve your approval odds

• Keep management accounts, bank statements and aged debtors tidy and up to date
• Show your project pipeline, signed contracts and applications schedule
• Separate business and personal banking; reduce returned payments
• Demonstrate margin control, cost-to-complete plans and retention schedules
• Address CCJs or tax arrears with a written plan; consider security where appropriate

Risks and considerations (clear and fair)

• Borrow only what you can afford; understand the total cost of credit
• Security and personal guarantees: your assets/guarantor may be at risk if obligations are not met
• Late or missed payments can incur fees and negatively affect your credit rating
• Development finance requires robust contingencies and a realistic exit strategy
• Always read lender terms and seek independent professional advice if needed

FAQs — Construction Business Loans

How fast can I get funds?
Some facilities can be arranged in days, subject to eligibility, underwriting, and any valuations/legal work. Property-backed and development facilities typically take longer.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Submitting an enquiry with Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. If you choose to proceed with a lender or broker, they may run credit checks.

Do you charge me a fee?
Our enquiry and matching service is free to use. If you proceed with a lender or broker, they will disclose any applicable fees clearly before you commit.

Are you a lender or financial adviser?
Neither. We act as an introducer, connecting UK businesses with suitable lenders and brokers. We do not provide financial advice.

Can start-ups or businesses with adverse credit apply?
Some partners can consider newer businesses and those with imperfect credit, especially where security or guarantees are available. Approval is not guaranteed.

What can I use funds for?
Materials, labour, plant/vehicles, deposits, VAT, retentions, site setup and more — subject to product and lender criteria.

Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
Some products are unsecured; others require security or a personal guarantee. Requirements depend on your circumstances and the product type.

Can I finance used plant/vehicles?
Yes, many providers consider used plant and vehicles, subject to asset age/condition and valuation.

Is development finance available for first-time developers?
Potentially. Lenders will look at your professional team, build contractor, planning status and exit plan. Experience helps but isn’t the only factor.

How much can I borrow?
Many solutions start from £10,000. Upper limits depend on turnover, security, affordability and specific product criteria.

Can finance cover supplier deposits and materials?
In some cases, yes — via materials/trade finance or contract finance, and sometimes alongside invoice finance.

How do retentions work with invoice finance?
Facilities can be structured around certified applications and retentions; the available advance may exclude retention balances until released.

Start your Free Eligibility Check

Compliance and transparency notices

Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. We act as an introducer to UK lenders and finance brokers. Your enquiry is free and there is no obligation to proceed. Partner fees may apply if you take out finance; they will disclose all costs clearly. Eligibility, rates and terms depend on status, affordability and lender criteria. Security may be required. Personal guarantees may be requested. Late or missed repayments may incur fees and negatively affect your credit rating. Your assets may be at risk if a loan is secured against them.

Helpful resources: Financial promotions should be clear, fair and not misleading (FCA); HMRC CIS guidance.

– Q: What are construction business loans?
A: They are UK finance solutions for builders and contractors to manage cash flow and fund projects, including invoice finance, plant and machinery finance, materials/contract finance, VAT funding, revolving credit, and bridging/development facilities.

– Q: How fast can I get funding?
A: Many facilities can be arranged in days subject to eligibility and underwriting, while property-backed and development finance typically take longer due to valuations and legal work.

– Q: How much can I borrow?
A: Most solutions start from £10,000, with upper limits based on turnover, security, affordability and the specific product.

– Q: Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
A: No—using Fast Business Loans’ Free Eligibility Check does not affect your credit score, although partners may run checks if you choose to proceed.

– Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: UK limited companies and LLPs across construction trades can apply, and some partners consider newer businesses or those with adverse credit where security or guarantees are available.

– Q: What can I use the funds for?
A: Funds can cover materials, labour, plant/vehicles, supplier deposits, retentions, VAT/tax bills, site set-up and more, subject to product and lender criteria.

– Q: What rates, fees and terms should I expect?
A: Pricing depends on product, risk and security, with unsecured working capital usually shorter and higher-cost than asset or property-backed facilities, and any lender or broker fees disclosed before you commit.

– Q: How does invoice finance work for stage payments and retentions?
A: Lenders can advance cash against certified applications, interim certificates or invoices so you don’t wait 30–90+ days, with retention balances typically excluded until released.

– Q: Are you a lender and do you charge a fee?
A: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or adviser, and our enquiry and matching service is free to use.

– Q: How does the process work and what documents do I need?
A: Complete a 2-minute enquiry to be matched with suitable UK lenders/brokers who will respond quickly, and be ready with 3–6 months’ bank statements, management accounts, aged debtors/creditors, key contracts/POs, director ID and any project appraisals.