Short answer: Yes — many care providers can finance CQC-required remedial work and accessibility upgrades by using business finance products arranged through our lending and broker partners. The right solution depends on project size, timescale, security available and the provider’s financial profile. UK Business Loans can match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in healthcare and care-home projects so you can get a free, no-obligation eligibility check and quick quotes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

What counts as CQC compliance work & accessibility improvements

CQC inspections can require a wide range of actions. Typical works that care providers need to fund include:

• Fire-safety upgrades (fire doors, alarms, compartmentation)
• Accessible bathrooms and wet-room conversions
• Ramp and threshold installations, external access works
• Stairlifts, platform lifts or full lift installations
• Door widening and corridor alterations for wheelchair access
• Ventilation and infection-control improvements
• Nurse-call systems, CCTV for safeguarding (where appropriate)
• Internal refurbishment linked to dignity, privacy or segregation requirements
• Urgent remedial repairs identified by inspectors

These works can be structural, mechanical, electrical or specialist. Where CQC cites an improvement and sets a deadline, funders often treat the project as priority lending — provided there’s evidence and realistic costings.

For guidance on legal requirements and accessibility expectations, see GOV.UK and the Care Quality Commission’s guidance pages.

Typical cost ranges & financing timeframes

Actual costs vary by building condition and whether you own or lease the premises. Indicative ranges (broad) are:

• Minor accessibility tweaks (ramps, handrails, signage): £2,000–£20,000
• Accessible bathrooms and wet-room conversions: £10,000–£60,000
• Fire-safety programme (multiple doors, alarms): £10,000–£100,000+
• Lifts (stairlifts to small platform lifts): £8,000–£80,000; full passenger lifts: £30,000–£150,000+
• Major structural remodelling or extensions: £50,000–£500,000+

Financing timescales:

• Fast options (same-day to 7 days): invoice finance, certain bridging/urgent remedial loans and some asset finance facilities.
• Standard term loans/asset finance: decisions in days to a few weeks; completion often 1–6 weeks after acceptance.
• Commercial mortgages or development finance for major rebuilds: several weeks to months (more documentation & valuations required).

These are estimates only. Lenders will price based on your accounts, contractor quotes and security offered.

What loan & finance types can fund CQC and accessibility work

There are several commercial finance routes commonly used by care providers:

Business term loans

Unsecured or secured loans for general refurbishment and remedial works.

• Pros: straightforward drawdown, flexible uses.
• Cons: secured loans may require property security or personal guarantees; unsecured loans typically cost more.

Asset finance & equipment/fit-out finance

Can fund specialist equipment, stairlifts, hoists or even lift installations where financed as an asset.

• Pros: spread cost, keep cashflow intact; lender often takes security over the financed asset only.
• Cons: not suitable for wider structural work unless packaged into fit-out finance.

Bridging and short-term loans

Used for urgent remedial works to meet CQC timescales; later refinanced to longer-term facilities.

• Pros: speed; helps meet deadlines.
• Cons: higher rates and fees; requires clear exit plan.

Invoice finance / factoring

Improves cashflow while works are underway by advancing funds against invoices.

Refinance or debt consolidation

Free up capital tied up in existing facilities to pay for necessary works.

Commercial mortgages / development finance

For larger building projects or conversions; typically longer-term and larger sums.

Grants and local authority support

Some refurbishments may attract local grants or Disabled Facilities Grants — these can reduce borrowing amounts if available.

If you’re unsure which route fits your project, get a free eligibility check and we’ll match you to partners who can outline your options.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Started

What lenders look for (eligibility factors)

Typical underwriting criteria include:

• Financial performance: turnover, profitability, recent management accounts and bank statements.
• Cashflow: evidence you can service repayments.
• Security: freehold/leasehold position, tangible assets, equipment that can be used as security.
• Credit profile: business and director credit histories.
• Project details: contractor quotes, project schedule, evidence of CQC requirement/improvement notice (if applicable).
• Exit plan: for bridging loans, how the loan will be repaid or refinanced.

Having contractor quotes and a clear scope of works significantly improves the speed and quality of lender responses.

How UK Business Loans helps

We don’t provide loans. We connect care providers requiring finance (generally from £10,000 and upwards) to lenders and brokers with experience in healthcare and care-home projects.

Process (simple):

1. Complete the short enquiry form with project details and contact information.
2. We match your request to a selection of suitable lenders/brokers.
3. Partners contact you with questions and quotes so you can compare options.
4. You choose the solution that fits your business — no obligation to proceed.

Submitting an enquiry is free and does not affect your credit score. Our aim is to get you rapid, relevant quotes so urgent CQC works can proceed without delay.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

How to prepare a strong enquiry (documents checklist)

Having these ready will speed up lender responses:

• Detailed contractor quotes and scope of works
• Photos or a report showing the areas requiring work
• Latest company accounts and recent management accounts
• Business bank statements (last 3–6 months)
• Details of property ownership or lease agreement
• Evidence of CQC action or inspection report (if available)
• Brief summary of proposed timeline and desired funding amount

Tip: be realistic about costs and timelines. Phasing works and staged drawdowns can reduce initial borrowing and improve acceptance chances.

Example scenarios — how other care providers funded CQC and accessibility works

Case 1 — Urgent fire-door replacements

Challenge: A small residential care home received a CQC action requiring multiple fire-door replacements within a tight timescale. Solution: A short-term bridging facility to complete immediate works, followed by refinancing into a longer-term secured loan once works were certified. Outcome: Doors replaced within the CQC deadline; refinancing lowered monthly costs.

Case 2 — Accessible wet-room and lift upgrade

Challenge: A day-care facility needed wet-room conversions and a platform lift to comply with accessibility standards. Solution: Equipment and fit-out finance combined with staged drawdown aligned to contractor milestones. Outcome: Works completed with limited impact on cashflow; repayments matched expected revenue uplift from increased referrals.

Want quotes for a similar project? Start your free eligibility check.

Grants, incentives & alternatives

Before borrowing, check whether non-loan funding applies:

• Local authority grants or discretionary funds
• Disabled Facilities Grants (for eligible premises/works) — GOV.UK has details
• Charitable funding or social care improvement funds
• Energy-efficiency grants for certain upgrades (where applicable)

Combining a grant with commercial finance can reduce the amount you need to borrow.

Risks, costs and consumer protections

Important considerations:

• Interest rates and fees vary — secured facilities and poor credit often cost more.
• Security may be required over property or business assets; personal guarantees are common for smaller businesses.
• Short-term options can carry higher rates; ensure you have a clear repayment or refinance plan.
• Read provider terms carefully and ask for clear illustrations of total cost.

This page is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. UK Business Loans acts as an introducer and does not lend or give regulated financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I borrow if I have an outstanding CQC improvement notice?

Often yes — many lenders will consider funding urgent remedial work if you can show contractor quotes, a clear schedule and a realistic plan to repay. Urgency from a regulator can make lenders more willing to provide a short-term solution.

What is the fastest finance option for urgent CQC work?

Invoice finance, certain bridging facilities and some specialist remedial lenders can act quickly — sometimes within days. Speed depends on documentation and whether security is required.

Can I get finance if I rent my premises?

Yes. Lenders assess lease terms and landlord consent where required. Some products are asset-specific and do not require property security, which suits tenants.

Are there grants that reduce how much I need to borrow?

Yes — local authority grants and Disabled Facilities Grants may apply in some cases. Check GOV.UK and your local council for eligibility. Combining grants with finance is common.

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry via our form does not affect your credit score. Individual lenders may perform checks later if you proceed with an application.

How soon will lenders contact me after I submit an enquiry?

Typically partners can respond within hours during business hours. Response times vary depending on the complexity of the request and documentation provided.

Next steps — Get a free eligibility check

If you need to fund CQC compliance work or accessibility upgrades, we can quickly match your project to lenders and brokers who understand healthcare premises.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Free and no obligation. UK Business Loans acts as an introducer — we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We will share your enquiry with selected partners to obtain quotes. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms for details.