Construction business loans: partnerships & limited companies — do we help sole traders?

Short answer: We connect UK construction businesses with specialist lenders and brokers. We accept enquiries from partnerships (including LLPs) and limited companies. We do not handle sole trader or professional-practice loan enquiries. Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match your business to the most suitable finance partners quickly: Get Quote Now.

Quick answer: do we assist sole traders, partnerships and limited companies?

Yes — we connect construction-sector businesses to specialist UK lenders and brokers, but with an important distinction:

• Partnerships and LLPs: We accept and actively match enquiries from partnerships and limited liability partnerships.
• Limited companies: We take enquiries from limited companies (LTDs) and can match them to a wide range of products.
• Sole traders: We do not accept sole trader loan enquiries or handle professional-practice loans. If you are a sole trader seeking construction finance, we recommend speaking to a broker who specialises in sole-trader lending.

We are an introducer — we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. After you submit the short enquiry we typically match you to suitable partners and you can expect a response often within hours during business hours. To start, complete a Free Eligibility Check: Free Eligibility Check.

How we support each business type in construction

Sole traders

Policy: we do not accept sole trader enquiries.

Why this matters: many high‑street lenders and specialist providers have specific product rules for sole traders (personal guarantees, shorter trading histories, or higher security requirements). If you are a sole trader looking for finance we can explain what lenders often ask for so you can approach a suitable broker directly:

• Typical lender requirements — minimum trading history (12–24 months), management accounts, evidence of contracts or purchase orders.
• Common products for sole operators (available via specialist brokers): small unsecured business loans, small asset finance, and some invoice or merchant cash advance facilities.

Partnerships & LLPs

We accept partnership enquiries and match them to lenders that understand multi‑partner ownership and shared liability. Important lender considerations include:

• Partner credit histories and personal guarantees — many lenders will assess each partner.
• Evidence of partnership agreement, proof of trading and contract history.
• Tax & ownership documentation — HMRC records, VAT registration, recent accounts or management figures.

Typical finance uses: buying plant together, bridging payments for large contracts, working capital for seasonal projects, invoice finance to smooth cashflow.

Limited companies (LTD)

Limited companies are the most commonly supported structure on our panel. Lenders tend to assess the company separately from directors, though director guarantees and historic credit may still be requested depending on the product and size of facility.

• Advantages: clearer separation of personal liability, access to larger corporate products (development finance, larger asset finance).
• Common requirements: company accounts (or management accounts for new companies), corporate bank statements, proof of contracts and director IDs.

Typical funding amounts we help arrange start from around £10,000 upwards. If your requirement is below that threshold, some specialist brokers might be a better fit.

Construction finance types matched by UK Business Loans

We match partnerships and limited companies with lenders offering a wide range of construction finance options. Below is a quick overview and when each is typically used.

• Business loans (unsecured & secured) — flexible funding for working capital, payroll or smaller projects. Suitable for established limited companies and partnerships with trading history.
• Invoice finance (factoring / discounting) — releases cash tied up in invoices so you can pay staff and suppliers. Works well for subcontractors and trade businesses with large outstanding invoices.
• Asset & equipment finance — fund plant, diggers, vans or tools via hire purchase or lease. Common for partnerships and limited companies wanting to preserve cashflow.
• Development & bridging finance — short-term funding for property projects, land purchase or bridging gaps between purchase and disposal. Typically for limited companies and established partnerships.
• Contract / purchase order finance — advances against confirmed contracts or POs to buy materials or cover labour on large jobs.
• Sustainability & energy-efficiency finance — finance for solar PV, EV chargers or low-carbon equipment on commercial sites.
• Refinance / debt consolidation — restructure existing finance to improve monthly cashflow or secure better rates.

Suitability note: some products (for example development finance) commonly require limited company structures and stronger security packages; asset finance is often available to partnerships and limited companies alike.

Typical lender criteria & common reasons for acceptance or rejection

Lenders vary, but the most common criteria they review are:

• Trading history and turnover — many lenders require 12+ months trading and a minimum turnover.
• Contract evidence — signed contracts, POs or recurring agreements improve chances.
• Credit history — business and director credit profiles matter.
• Security offered — property, plant or personal guarantees.
• VAT and filing status — up‑to‑date VAT and company filings are positive signals.
• Management accounts and bank statements — lenders usually want recent financials.

Prep checklist — documents to have ready:

• Latest management accounts or filed company accounts (12–24 months if available)
• Recent business bank statements (3–6 months)
• Details of the contract(s) you need funding for (signed POs, customer contracts)
• List of assets (make, model, value) if applying for asset finance
• Director/partner ID and proof of address

How UK Business Loans helps (process & benefits)

1. Complete a short enquiry (2 minutes) — business name, structure, turnover band, funding required and purpose.
2. We match your details to specialist brokers and lenders most likely to consider your case.
3. A partner contacts you to discuss documents and pricing — you compare offers and choose (no obligation).
4. Once you agree terms, you proceed directly with the lender or broker to completion.

Benefits:

• Free, no‑obligation matching — our service is free to businesses.
• Speed — many matches lead to a call or email within hours.
• Sector expertise — we work with partners experienced in construction finance.
• Privacy — we only share your details with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Real examples & use cases

Below are anonymised scenarios typical of clients we match:

• Partnership buying plant: A joint contractor partnership needed a new digger for a large contract. We matched them to an asset finance broker; they secured hire‑purchase over 4 years with low upfront cash.
• Limited company bridging for materials: A limited company won a housing contract but needed immediate funds to buy materials. We introduced them to a lender offering short‑term bridging against the contract value — materials purchased and the job completed on time.
• Invoice finance for a subcontractor: A construction services LTD with long payment terms used invoice discounting to free up working capital and avoid late supplier payments.

Want a tailored example for your situation? Get Quote Now and we’ll match you to the best options.

FAQs

Do you lend directly to construction businesses?

No — UK Business Loans is an introducer. We connect you to lenders and brokers who may lend. We do not provide regulated financial advice.

Will submitting an enquiry affect our credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry via our form does not affect your business or personal credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you progress an application.

Can start-ups or new limited companies apply?

Yes — some of our partners specialise in new companies, but eligibility depends on the product and supporting evidence (management accounts, contracts, director strength).

Can I get finance with adverse credit?

Possibly. We work with lenders and brokers who consider a range of credit profiles. Adverse credit may mean higher rates or the need for additional security.

What fees are involved?

Fees vary by lender and product. Any fees or arrangement costs will be explained by the lender or broker before you accept an offer.

How long until I get an offer?

Timing varies by product and lender. After you submit the form you are often contacted within hours; formal offers can take days to weeks depending on due diligence and security required.

Still have questions? Start a Free Eligibility Check and a partner will call: Free Eligibility Check.

Ready to get a quick, no‑obligation quote?

Complete a short form and we’ll match you to lenders or brokers who specialise in construction finance for partnerships and limited companies. It takes less than two minutes and there’s no obligation: Get My Free Quote.

Legal & compliance notes

This is an introducer service. UK Business Loans introduces your enquiry to selected lenders and brokers; we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. All offers are subject to status and lender terms. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. For regulated advice, speak to an FCA‑authorised adviser.

For more detail on the construction sector and typical finance options see our industry guide to construction business loans.

1. Do you accept sole traders for construction business loans?
No — we do not handle sole trader or professional‑practice loan enquiries; we only match partnerships (including LLPs) and limited companies to specialist lenders and brokers.

2. Which business structures do you accept for construction finance?
We accept and actively match partnerships, LLPs and limited companies (LTDs) to UK lenders and brokers experienced in construction finance.

3. What types of construction finance do you match businesses with?
We connect construction businesses to lenders offering business loans, invoice finance, asset & equipment finance, development & bridging finance, contract/purchase‑order finance, sustainability finance and refinance solutions.

4. How do I start a construction loan enquiry with UK Business Loans?
Complete our short Free Eligibility Check form (takes ~2 minutes) and we’ll match your business to suitable lenders or brokers — there’s no obligation.

5. Will submitting an enquiry affect my business or personal credit score?
No — submitting the enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks only if you progress to an application.

6. What is the minimum loan size you can typically match for construction projects?
Our panel usually considers facilities from around £10,000 upwards, though exact minimums depend on the product and lender.

7. How quickly will a lender or broker contact us and when can we expect an offer?
You’re often contacted within hours during business hours, while formal offers typically take days to weeks depending on due diligence and any required security.

8. What documents do lenders commonly require for construction loans?
Lenders usually want recent management or filed accounts (12–24 months if available), 3–6 months of business bank statements, signed contracts or POs, director/partner ID and proof of address, and asset details for equipment finance.

9. Do you lend directly or provide regulated financial advice?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders; we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice and all offers are subject to lender terms.

10. Can start-ups or newly formed limited companies get matched for construction finance?
Yes — some of our partners specialise in start‑ups and new limited companies, but eligibility depends on the chosen product and supporting evidence such as management accounts, contracts and director strength.