Construction Business Loans and Finance for UK Contractors and Builders
Construction business loans help UK contractors and builders manage upfront materials, labour, plant, VAT deadlines, stage payments and retentions. Fast Business Loans connects limited companies and LLPs with trusted lenders and brokers—fast introductions, no obligation, and no impact on your credit score from our enquiry. Minimum funding £10,000.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
At a Glance: Your Quick Answer
Short answer: Construction finance provides working capital and project-specific funding so contractors can mobilise jobs, buy materials, cover payroll, handle VAT, and bridge retentions or long payment terms. We’re an introducer (not a lender or adviser) that matches your business to suitable UK brokers and lenders for options like working capital loans, construction invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, materials/trade finance, VAT and tax funding, contract/project facilities, and more. Subject to status and lender criteria. Terms apply.
Free Eligibility Check — 2-minute form, no obligation.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
What Are Construction Business Loans?
Construction business loans are funding solutions tailored to the sector’s realities—upfront spend on materials, labour and plant, stage or milestone payments (including JCT), applications for payment, retentions, and variable VAT cash flow.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. We connect UK limited companies and LLPs with trusted lenders and brokers who understand construction. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria; terms and conditions apply.
Looking for a deeper sector overview? Explore our guide to construction business loans for context and use-cases.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Types of Construction Finance We Can Connect You To
Working Capital Business Loans (Unsecured/Secured)
- Best for: Mobilising new projects, covering short-term gaps, hiring extra labour, buying small tools.
- Security: Personal guarantees are common; asset or property security may be needed for larger sums.
- Timing: Often days once approved.
- Example: £150k to ramp up labour and materials ahead of first valuation.
Invoice Finance for Construction (incl. Applications for Payment)
- Best for: Long payment terms, staged valuations, retentions.
- Types: Factoring, confidential invoice discounting, pay-when-paid solutions.
- Notes: Lenders may require proof of milestones, certifications, and application-for-payment backup.
- Example: Unlock 70–85% of certified applications to stabilise cash flow.
Asset and Equipment Finance (Plant, Tools, Vehicles)
- Best for: Excavators, telehandlers, MEWPs, scaffolding, M&E kit, commercial vans.
- Formats: Hire purchase, finance lease, refinance of unencumbered assets.
- Timing: Standard assets can be quicker; security typically sits over the asset.
- Example: Finance a new 14t excavator to win larger groundwork packages.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Materials / Trade Finance
- Best for: Paying suppliers upfront when delivery or discounts require early payment.
- Notes: Works alongside POs and contracts; often dovetails with invoice finance to complete the funding cycle.
- Example: Fund bulk steel purchase to lock in pricing for a major tender.
VAT and Tax Finance
- Best for: Smoothing cash flow at VAT quarters or corporation tax deadlines.
- Example: Spread a £60k VAT bill over manageable instalments while maintaining project momentum.
Contract / Project Finance
- Best for: Larger, clearly defined projects with staged drawdowns aligned to the programme.
- Notes: Evidence such as JCT contracts, QS reports, programme and cost plans may be required.
- Example: Facility structured around a 9-month fit-out schedule.
Merchant Cash Advance (where applicable)
- Best for: Card-taking businesses (e.g., trade counters) where repayments flex with turnover.
- Note: Not suitable for every contractor; depends on card volumes.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Bridging and Development Finance (Introductions)
- Best for: Short-term property bridging, ground-up or heavy refurb via specialist partners.
- Notes: Complex, security-backed; subject to valuation and thorough due diligence.
Who We Help in Construction
- Main contractors and civil engineering firms (Ltd/LLP)
- Subcontractors operating via limited companies (CIS teams, M&E, roofing, groundworks, scaffolding, plastering)
- Plant hire, building services and fit-out companies
- Housebuilders and developers via specialist introducers
- Start-ups and fast-growing SMEs structured as Ltd/LLP
How Fast Business Loans Works
- Complete a short enquiry — no impact on your credit score from our form.
- Matching — we connect you with suitable UK brokers/lenders who understand construction.
- Rapid contact — discuss options and required documents.
- Compare and decide — you choose whether to proceed. No obligation.
We’re free to use and focused on clarity, speed and relevance.
Eligibility and Documents You’ll Typically Need
Business profile: UK limited companies and LLPs only. Minimum funding £10,000. Time trading varies by product; some partners consider early-stage businesses with strong contracts.
Common documents:
- 3–12 months of business bank statements
- Management accounts and/or latest filed accounts
- Evidence of contracts (e.g., JCT), purchase orders, schedules of works, pipeline
- Aged debtors/creditors; invoice schedules for invoice finance
- Asset lists or supplier quotes for asset/materials finance
- Director ID/address and Companies House details
Important: Lenders set their own criteria. Credit checks are typically performed only if you choose to proceed with a lender/broker. Late payments can cause serious money problems.
Costs, Terms and Transparency
Rates, fees and terms are set by lenders based on the risk profile of your business, project details, sector, performance, and security available.
We don’t publish headline rates because pricing is tailored and market-driven. Potential costs may include interest, arrangement fees, documentation fees (for asset finance), service fees (for invoice finance), and valuation/legal fees for secured lending.
There’s no fee to use Fast Business Loans as a business owner, and no obligation to proceed with any offer.
We’ll only introduce you to relevant partners and explain what to expect—clear, fair and not misleading.
Common Use Cases in Construction
- Mobilising a new JCT project: fund labour and materials before the first valuation
- Bridging retentions and late-stage payments
- Buying or refinancing plant/vehicles to win larger contracts
- Smoothing VAT quarters and subcontractor payroll
- Bulk material purchases to secure pricing for major tenders
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
- Prepare a clear use-of-funds and expected ROI by project or programme
- Provide contract evidence (e.g., JCT), schedules, or applications for payment
- Keep bank statements clean (avoid unarranged overdrafts where possible)
- File accounts and VAT on time
- Be ready to offer security and/or personal guarantees if required
- Maintain up-to-date insurances (public liability, CAR, plant cover as applicable)
- For invoice finance, keep debtor ledgers accurate and disputes documented
FAQs: Construction Business Loans
Can I apply if I’m a CIS subcontractor or a start-up?
Yes—many partners consider limited companies and LLPs using CIS labour, and some consider early-stage businesses with strong contracts. We’re currently unable to assist sole traders.
How quickly can funding be arranged?
You’ll typically receive a same-day response during business hours. Funding speed varies by product and partner once approved.
Will my credit score be affected when I submit your form?
No impact from our enquiry. If you choose to proceed with a broker or lender, they may carry out checks as part of their assessment.
What is the minimum and maximum amount available?
Our partners typically support from £10,000 up to £5 million+, subject to status and product type.
Do I have to give a personal guarantee?
Many business loans involve a personal guarantee. Secured options may use assets, property or plant. Any risks and requirements will be explained by your matched broker.
Can invoice finance work with applications for payment and retentions?
Yes—some providers specialise in construction, including staged valuations, certified applications for payment and approaches to retentions (terms vary).
What fees should I expect?
Fees vary by product and lender (interest, arrangement, service/documentation, valuation/legal for secured lending). All costs are disclosed before you commit.
Is your service regulated?
We are an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. We connect UK businesses to trusted brokers and lenders. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria; terms apply.
Ready to Explore Construction Finance?
Get sector-savvy support, quick matching, and no-obligation options. It’s free to use and takes around 2 minutes.
- Click Get Started
- Tell us what you need (2 minutes)
- Compare matched options
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
What to expect after you click: we’ll ask for business basics and funding needs, then introduce you to suitable partners. You compare and decide—no pressure.
Important Information
Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and does not provide financial advice. We connect UK businesses to trusted brokers and lenders who may contact you to discuss options. Any finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria; terms and conditions apply. Your business’s credit rating may be checked by partners if you proceed. Late repayments can cause serious money problems for you and your business. Information on this page is for general guidance only and not a recommendation or endorsement of any specific lender or product.
Helpful resources: JCT overview, UK GOV VAT guidance.
Reviewed by: Tom Bradley, Construction Finance Specialist — 12+ years helping UK contractors access working capital, asset funding and invoice solutions across JCT and NEC frameworks.
Last updated: October 2025
– What are construction business loans and how do they help UK contractors?
Construction business loans provide working capital to cover upfront materials, labour, plant, VAT deadlines, stage payments and retentions so projects can mobilise smoothly.
– Who is eligible for construction finance through Fast Business Loans?
UK limited companies and LLPs (including CIS subcontractors and start-ups with strong contracts) can apply, but sole traders aren’t currently supported.
– How much can I borrow and what’s the minimum loan size?
Typical facilities range from £10,000 to £5 million+, subject to status and product type.
– How quickly can I get funding?
You’ll usually get a same-day response and, once approved, many products can fund in days depending on the lender and documentation.
– Will submitting your form affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry has no impact on your credit score, and credit checks are only performed if you proceed with a broker or lender.
– What types of construction finance can you connect me to?
Options include working capital loans, construction invoice finance, asset/plant and equipment finance, materials/trade finance, VAT/tax funding, contract/project finance, merchant cash advances (where applicable), and bridging/development finance.
– Can invoice finance work with applications for payment, stage payments and retentions (e.g., JCT/NEC)?
Yes—specialist providers can fund certified applications, staged valuations and address retentions, subject to terms.
– What documents will I typically need to provide?
Lenders usually ask for 3–12 months of bank statements, management or filed accounts, contract evidence (e.g., JCT), debtor/creditor schedules, invoice lists, asset lists or supplier quotes, and director ID/Companies House details.
– Do I need a personal guarantee or security?
Many loans require a personal guarantee, and larger or secured facilities may be backed by assets, property or plant.
– What do construction finance loans cost?
Pricing is tailored to your risk profile and product, with potential costs including interest, arrangement/service/documentation fees and valuation/legal fees for secured lending, all disclosed before you commit.