Agriculture Business Loans — Glasshouses, Irrigation, Barns & Grain Stores
Funding for glasshouses, irrigation systems, barns and grain stores — match with specialist UK lenders and brokers.
Need funding for glasshouses, irrigation, barns or grain stores? UK Business Loans connects growers and farmers with specialist lenders and brokers who understand agri projects. We’re an introducer — not a lender. Free, no‑obligation quote. Your enquiry won’t affect your credit score. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Table of contents
- Quick summary — can we help?
- Types of finance suitable for these farm assets
- Common scenarios we help with
- What lenders look for & eligibility
- How UK Business Loans helps — our process
- Costs, terms and compliance considerations
- Frequently asked questions
- Ready to get a free quote?
Can UK Business Loans help fund glasshouses, irrigation, barns and grain stores?
Short answer: yes. UK Business Loans introduces agricultural businesses to lenders and brokers who provide asset finance, commercial development loans, equipment leasing and seasonal working capital tailored to horticulture and farming projects. We do not lend directly — instead we match your project (from a single high‑value pump to a multi‑storey grain store) with specialist providers able to consider farm income patterns, seasonal cashflow and asset life. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
Types of finance suitable for glasshouses, irrigation, barns and grain stores
Different assets need different products. Below are the common finance routes and where they typically fit.
Asset finance / Hire purchase / Lease purchase
- Best for: glasshouse frames, irrigation pumps, conveyors, dryers and crop handling equipment.
- How it works: lender funds asset; you repay over an agreed term. Ownership may transfer at the end of the term (hire purchase) or be retained by the lender under lease purchase until final payment.
- Typical sizes & terms: £10k–£500k+; terms commonly 2–7 years for machinery, longer for major equipment.
- Security: usually the financed asset; sometimes additional security or personal guarantees for higher amounts.
Commercial property / development loans
- Best for: building new barns, permanent glasshouses or grain stores, substantial conversions.
- How it works: loan advanced in stages (staged drawdowns) to cover construction costs; final advance on practical completion.
- Typical sizes & terms: from around £50k to several million; terms often 5–25 years (bridging/development facilities are shorter term).
- Security: property mortgage, charges against land or business assets; lenders will require planning permission and contractor contracts.
Agricultural mortgages & land improvement finance
- Best for: large land-backed projects or where lenders need land security.
- Note: specialist agricultural mortgage lenders consider farm enterprise income and long-term viability.
Equipment finance & agri‑specific leasing
- Best for: irrigation systems, automation, grain drying units and smaller plant items.
- Benefits: preserve working capital and align payments with asset life.
Working capital & invoice finance
- Best for: bridging seasonal shortfalls during build, stocking, or between crop sales.
- Forms: overdrafts, short-term business loans, invoice discounting/finance.
Grants & blended funding
- Best for: sustainability upgrades or grant‑eligible irrigation improvements. Grants may top up commercial finance and reduce overall borrowing. For government eligibility check local and national schemes and Defra guidance.
Inline CTA: Get Quote Now — Connect with specialist lenders
Common scenarios we help with (real-world examples)
Below are practical examples showing how different products combine to fund common farm and horticulture projects.
Glasshouse expansion or replacement
Scenario: replacing polytunnels with a controlled-environment glasshouse and environmental control systems. Typical solution: combination of asset finance for climate control & automation, plus a commercial development loan if structural build is significant. Documents lenders ask for: recent accounts, projected revenues for new crops, supplier quotes and planning details. Typical decision time: initial quote within 24–72 hours; formal offers 1–4 weeks depending on complexity.
Irrigation upgrade
Scenario: new borehole and pump system, pipes, filtration and automation. Typical solution: equipment finance or lease for pumps and control systems; working capital to manage installation cashflow. Grants might be available to offset costs. Lenders expect quotations, technical specs and an installation timeline.
New barn or grain store build
Scenario: purpose-built grain store with drying and weighing systems. Typical solution: development loan with staged drawdowns against build milestones plus asset finance for drying equipment. Lenders will request planning consent, contractor contracts, cashflow projections and grain offtake/sales forecasts. Timescale: 4–12+ weeks from application to funds depending on security checks and surveys.
Grain storage & drying equipment purchase
Scenario: purchasing silo and dryer ahead of harvest. Typical solution: asset finance combined with short-term working capital to cover immediate purchase and storage costs. Fast decisions possible for asset-backed loans; expect 3–10 working days for simple asset finance.
Call to action: Free Eligibility Check — Start Your Enquiry
What lenders look for & eligibility
Lenders and brokers assess a range of factors. Preparing documentation and clear project information helps get faster, better-matched quotes.
- Business structure & trading history — limited companies and established agri businesses are easiest to place. Start-ups or new ventures may still obtain funding through specialist lenders but need robust plans and projections.
- Credit profile — initial matching via UK Business Loans is a soft step and won’t affect credit scores. Lenders may perform full searches later.
- Asset value & condition — age and usable life of equipment matter for asset finance.
- Planning permission & building regs — required evidence for barns, large glasshouses or permanent structures.
- VAT status, seasonal cashflow & contracts — lenders like to see realistic cashflow forecasts and any offtake or supply contracts that reduce risk.
- Securities — asset-only security is common for equipment; property mortgages and personal guarantees are more common for larger development or commercial loans.
Microcopy: Submitting our enquiry is a soft, no‑obligation step and will not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out full checks later if you apply.
How UK Business Loans helps you — our process
We simplify the search and comparison process so you can focus on your project:
- Quick form (2 minutes) — tell us the project type, loan size (we arrange loans from ~£10,000 upwards), postcode and contact details.
- We match you — we introduce your enquiry to specialist lenders and brokers who understand agricultural finance.
- Fast responses — many partners respond within hours; expect initial contact by phone or email quickly.
- Compare offers — review terms, choose a lender or broker and proceed directly with them. There’s no obligation to accept any quote.
Note: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans directly. Get Started — Free Quote in Minutes
Costs, terms and compliance considerations
Costs vary by product, lender and borrower profile. Typical items to expect:
- Interest rates & APR — depend on lender, security and credit profile; unsecured rates tend to be higher than secured.
- Fees — arrangement fees, valuation, legal and search fees may apply and can be rolled into some facilities.
- Deposits — some lenders may request an upfront deposit for higher-risk or bespoke builds.
- Security — options include asset-only finance, charges over property, or personal guarantees for larger facilities.
Before you accept any offer, review the full terms and consider seeking independent professional advice if you are unsure. Get Quote Now — No Obligation
Frequently asked questions
Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — our initial enquiry process is a soft, no‑obligation step and will not affect your credit rating. Lenders may perform full credit checks if you formally apply through them.
Can I get finance for a partially completed barn or building project?
Yes — some lenders offer development or bridging finance with staged drawdowns. You will need contractor quotes, a budget, and a clear completion timeline.
Do you offer grants as well as loans?
We do not provide grants directly but can point you to grant sources and match you with brokers experienced in blended finance solutions. For official scheme information check government guidance.
What documents will lenders ask for?
Typically: recent business accounts, management accounts, cashflow forecasts, supplier/contractor quotes, proof of planning permission (if applicable) and ID for directors.
How long until funds are available?
Asset finance can sometimes complete in as little as 3–10 working days. Development and property loans are more complex and commonly take 4–8+ weeks.
What loan sizes do you arrange?
We work with partners who arrange loans from around £10,000 upwards. Larger facilities are available for major developments and commercial property projects.
Call to action: Free Eligibility Check — Start Now
Ready to get a quick, free quote?
We’ll match your enquiry with lenders and brokers who specialise in agricultural projects so you can compare realistic options quickly. It takes less than two minutes to complete our short enquiry form — then our partners contact you with tailored quotes. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Trust signals: matched to specialist lenders and brokers • secure & confidential • typical response within hours
Microcopy on data: Your details are handled securely and only shared with lenders and brokers appropriate to your enquiry. Submitting an enquiry is free and carries no obligation.
Published by UK Business Loans — Agriculture finance team. Last updated: [insert date].
1. What types of finance are available for glasshouses, irrigation, barns and grain stores?
– Asset finance, equipment leasing, commercial development/property loans, agricultural mortgages, working capital and blended grant funding are the common options for these farm assets.
2. How much can I borrow for an agricultural project?
– UK Business Loans can introduce you to lenders arranging finance from around £10,000 up to several million depending on project scale, security and lender appetite.
3. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
– No — submitting our short enquiry is a soft, no‑obligation step that won’t affect your credit score, although lenders may carry out full checks if you formally apply.
4. How long does it take to get a decision or access funds?
– Asset finance decisions can be as fast as 3–10 working days, while development and commercial property loans commonly take 4–12+ weeks depending on surveys and security checks.
5. What security do lenders usually require for farm infrastructure loans?
– Security ranges from the financed asset itself for equipment finance to property mortgages, charges over land and sometimes personal guarantees for larger development facilities.
6. Can I get finance for a partially completed barn, glasshouse or building project?
– Yes — specialist lenders and brokers offer development or bridging finance with staged drawdowns for partially completed builds provided you can supply contractor quotes and a clear completion plan.
7. Do start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit qualify for agriculture business loans?
– Some specialist lenders we work with consider start‑ups and applicants with poor credit, but they typically require stronger business plans, realistic forecasts or additional security.
8. Can grants be combined with loans to fund irrigation or sustainability upgrades?
– Yes — grants and blended funding can top up commercial finance for eligible irrigation and sustainability projects, and brokers can help identify suitable schemes alongside loan options.
9. What documents will lenders ask for when seeking farm finance?
– Expect to provide recent business accounts, management accounts and cashflow forecasts, supplier/contractor quotes, planning permission (if applicable) and ID for directors.
10. How does UK Business Loans help me find the right agricultural finance?
– We’re an introducer (not a lender): complete a quick enquiry form and we’ll match your project with specialist, FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers who supply tailored, no‑obligation quotes.
