Finance for construction businesses: plant, equipment & working capital

Construction businesses can access asset finance (hire purchase and finance lease) for plant, machinery, and vehicles; invoice finance to unlock cash from retention-heavy contracts; unsecured and secured business loans for working capital or growth; and commercial mortgages to purchase yards, depots, or office premises. Sorbus Finance can consider these options through its panel of 150+ UK lenders.

Yes. Many specialist asset finance lenders will fund used plant and machinery, including excavators, telehandlers, and dumpers. The age, condition, and value of the asset will influence the lender and the rate. Refinancing existing plant to release capital is also possible where unencumbered equity exists.

Standard invoice finance products use the Construction Industry Trust Receipt (CITR) to allow lenders to advance against construction invoices that include retention clauses. Once your customer releases retentions, the balance is paid to you. This means you can access funds immediately rather than waiting months for retention payments to clear.

Yes, though options are more limited for businesses under 12 months old. Some specialist lenders will fund start-up construction businesses, particularly where the director has a strong personal credit profile and relevant industry experience. A larger deposit (typically 20–30%) is often required.

Yes. Sale and HP leaseback allows you to sell plant you own outright to a finance company and lease it back, releasing capital while retaining use of the equipment. This is commonly used by construction businesses to fund new contracts, manage cashflow peaks, or fund growth without disposing of assets.

Most asset finance lenders will fund up to 100% of the asset value on established businesses with clean credit, meaning no deposit is required. For newer businesses or assets with lower residual values, lenders may require a 10–20% deposit. We will structure the deal to minimise your upfront costs.

Yes. Scaffolding tube, boards, fittings, and access platforms can all be financed using asset finance. Some lenders treat scaffolding as a higher-value stock item rather than a single asset, so specialist structuring may be required. We have access to lenders who understand the scaffolding sector.