Loans for builders and contractors – funding that keeps pace with your business
Construction cash flow rarely moves at the same speed as the work itself.
Borrow £5,000-£500,000 to cover materials, plant, labour, or the gap between finishing a stage and being paid for it, with fixed monthly repayments you can plan a site around.
- Soft credit check — no footprint
- No early repayment fees
- Funds in as little as 48 hours
- Human decisions, not just algorithms
Why building finance might be the answer
Construction cash flow is different to other trades
Construction vs Other Trades
Most businesses invoice as they sell. Construction rarely works that way. Materials and labour are often paid out upfront or as the job progresses, while payment to the builder or contractor is tied to stage completion or a client’s own payment terms.
How does this impact me?
The result is that a profitable job can still leave a builder or contractor short of cash at exactly the point materials and wages are due, especially on larger contracts or when running several jobs at once.
So, why should I get a loan?
Construction financing cover the costs of running a job or multiple jobs at once, without waiting on stage payments, retention release, or a client’s own payment terms to catch up.
What is a loan for builders and contractors?
A builders’ loan is unsecured business finance designed to keep materials paid for, labour on site, and subcontractors settled, even when the client payment for that stage of work hasn’t landed yet. You borrow a fixed sum, repay it in predictable monthly instalments, and use it wherever the job needs it most.
Front materials and plant hire costs
Pay suppliers and hire firms before the related stage payment comes through.
Keep labour and subcontractors paid
Avoid delays to your own team or subbies while a client's payment run catches up.
Cover the wait on stage payments or retention
Fund the period between finishing work and actually being paid or having retention released.
Resource a bigger contract
Fund the working capital a larger job needs before its first payment arrives.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
£50,000 – £500,000
Loan amount
6 – 60 months
Repayment term
No assets needed
Unsecured lending
Fixed monthly payments
No surprise charges
No early repayment fees
Repay whenever you're ready
Won’t affect your credit score
The process
How do I apply for a loan as a builder or contractor?
Simple and fast, so materials and wages don’t have to wait on a client’s payment run.
Apply in minutes
Use our quick online form. Tell us how much you need.
Soft credit check
We check your eligibility without leaving a mark on your credit file.
We say yes
A real person reviews your application and comes back to you within 24 hours.
Money in your account
Sign your agreement and the funds are on their way.
Eligibility
Am I eligible for financing as a builder or contractor?
We lend across the construction sector, from sole trader tradespeople to larger contracting firms. Meet the basics below and there’s a strong chance we can help.
Based in the UK
Make sure you are registered with Companies House
Trading 12+ months
Most applications require at least 12 months of trading history, if you're newer, get in touch and we may still be able to help
Not currently insolvent
Make sure your company is in a position to repay any debts or credit
Costs
How much will a loan for builders and contractors cost me?
Your rate is personalised and confirmed before you commit. Based on our representative APR of 18.9%, here are some illustrative examples:
| Loan amount | Acceptance | High street bank | Total repayable |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000 | 24 months | £2,510 | £60,240 |
| £100,000 | 36 months | £3,640 | £131,040 |
| £200,000 | 48 months | £5,820 | £279,360 |
| £350,000 | 60 months | £9,030 | £541,800 |
| £500,000 | 60 months | £12,920 | £775,200 |
18.9%
What fees are there?
None hidden. Interest is built into your fixed monthly repayment — that’s the only cost.
Can I repay early?
Yes, at any time with zero penalties. You only pay interest for the period you held the loan.
What are the advantages of a business loan for builders?
- Advantages
- Bridges the gap between work completed and payment received
- Not tied to a single contract or stage payment
- Fixed repayments - easy to budget around
- Decision in 24 hours
- Repay early with zero penalties
- Not secured against business assets
- Disadvantages
- Rate depends on trading history and affordability
- Not designed to replace proper contract payment terms negotiation with clients
- Requires 12+ months trading history
- Total cost is higher than funding the job from cash flow alone
Work out your loan
What will my construction finance cost?
Get an instant estimate. No credit impact.
- Finance £50,000 to £500,000
- Terms from 6 to 60 months
- No early repayment penalties
Your loan estimate
Illustrative only. No impact on your credit score.
Representative APR 18.9%. Subject to status and eligibility. For illustrative purposes only.
Your actual rate may differ. See full calculator
What we offer
What do I need to apply for a loan for contractors?
Some of the documentation that may be required when you apply includes:
Company registration number
Your company registration number from Companies House, used to verify your business and confirm its trading status.
Confirmation of annual turnover
So we can size the loan and move fast against your deadline.
3–6 months of bank statements
Recent statements showing your trading activity, so we can assess your cash flow and affordability accurately.
Details of the job or gap you’re funding
Whether it’s materials, a specific contract, or a stage payment gap – helps us assess the right term for you.
Your contact details
Name, email address, and phone number, along with your role in the business, so we can verify you’re authorised to apply on its behalf.
We welcome applications from limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, and LLPs — including businesses with an imperfect credit history.
Features
What do you get with an Acceptance builders loan?
Borrow £50k – £500k
Choose the exact amount your job or business needs.
Repay early, fee-free
Clear the loan once retention or a late payment lands.
Optional terms and fixed repayments
Pick a term that matches your contract and payment cycle and know exactly what you owe each month, regardless of site costs.
No security required
Your business assets stay yours, free and clear.
Put it to work
What can you do with funding for builders and contractors?
Whatever the job requires, here’s what our customers use this funding for.
- Cover materials or plant hire upfront
- Pay labour and subcontractors on time
- Take on a larger contract
- Bridge a stage payment or retention gap
- Buy or repair essential tools and vehicles
- Cover a tax bill or unexpected site cost
Common questions about loans for builders and contractors
These are some of the common questions about loans for contractors and builders:
Can I get funding for a specific contract or job?
Yes. Tell us about the job or the gap you're funding when you apply, and we'll assess the right amount and term for it.
Does this cover retention money being withheld?
It can. Many builders and contractors use this funding specifically to bridge the period between completing work and retention being released.
I run several jobs at once - can this still help?
Yes. The loan isn't tied to a single contract, so it can support cash flow across multiple jobs rather than one specific stage payment.
Will applying affect my credit score?
No. We run a soft credit check to assess eligibility, which leaves no mark on your credit file.
How quickly can I get funds for materials or wages?
Most applicants receive a decision within 24 hours, with funds released in as little as 48 hours.
Can I repay early if a client payment comes in ahead of schedule?
Yes, at any time with zero penalties. You only pay interest for the period you held the loan.
Explore more
Other ways Acceptance can fund your business
Loan for Tax Bills
Borrow to avoid HMRC late payments on corporation, PAYE or any other tax bill.
VAT Loans
Borrow to clear your VAT return and repay in fixed monthly installments.