Are there fees charged by UK Business Loans for an equipment finance enquiry?

Summary: No — UK Business Loans does not charge business owners for an equipment finance enquiry. Our service is a free, no‑obligation introduction that matches your business with lenders or brokers who can provide quotes and terms. Any fees you see later will come directly from the lender or broker and must be disclosed before you sign. Ready to get matched? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

We are an introducer, not a lender or financial adviser. Using UK Business Loans is free for business owners. Submitting an enquiry via our form is not an application — it helps us match you with suitable lenders/brokers who will contact you.

Quick answer — do we charge you?

No. UK Business Loans does not charge business owners or company directors to make an enquiry about equipment finance. Our platform is provided free of charge so you can quickly receive quotes and compare options. We earn revenue from our partner lenders or brokers after a successful introduction or completed finance agreement — not from you.

Submit a short form and get matched — no obligation. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Who we are and how equipment finance enquiries work

UK Business Loans helps companies find equipment finance by connecting them with specialist lenders and brokers. We do not lend money, and we do not provide regulated financial advice — we introduce you to providers who can.

Step 1 — Quick enquiry form

You complete a short enquiry with a few business details, what equipment you want to finance, the amount and contact info. This is not an application; it is used to match you with appropriate providers.

Step 2 — Matched with specialist lenders/brokers

We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers from our panel who typically specialise in the sector or equipment type you need. Matches are based on fit and likelihood of an appropriate offer.

Step 3 — Receive quotes and compare

The lenders or brokers contact you directly to discuss terms, fees and next steps. You decide whether to proceed. There’s no obligation to accept any quote.

Want to begin? Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

Detailed explanation — fees you might see in the equipment finance process

It’s important to separate two distinct fee sources in the equipment finance journey: fees charged by UK Business Loans (we don’t charge you) and fees charged by lenders or brokers (may apply depending on the product and provider). Below is what to expect.

Fees from UK Business Loans — none

• We do not charge business owners or company directors to submit an enquiry.
• There is no upfront fee to be matched with lenders or brokers via our platform.
• Submitting a request does not create a finance agreement — it starts a conversation.

Fees from lenders and brokers — what might be charged

After you are introduced, lenders and brokers may propose fees as part of a specific finance deal. Common charges include:

• Arrangement fee (also called an origination or booking fee) — typically 0–3% of the financed amount, sometimes fixed. Some lenders add this to the loan balance (capitalised); others require payment upfront.
• Broker fee — some brokers charge a one‑off fee for finding and arranging finance. This can be disclosed as a percentage or a flat fee; others are paid by the lender on completion.
• Documentation or administration fee — a modest charge to cover paperwork and legal checks.
• Valuation, inspection or delivery fees — for high-value plant or specialist equipment, third-party inspection or valuation costs may apply.
• Early repayment charges — if you settle a contract early, some products carry exit penalties.
• VAT — where fees are taxable, VAT may increase the headline fee amount.

Fees vary by product type (hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease, sale-and-leaseback) and by lender. Many lessors offer deals with zero arrangement fees but slightly higher monthly payments — or vice versa.

When and how fees will be disclosed

Reputable brokers and lenders will clearly disclose any fees, how they are collected and whether they are added to the finance or paid separately, before you sign an agreement. When we introduce you, you’ll be asked to confirm whether you want to proceed — you won’t be tied in without seeing full terms.

What to ask lenders/brokers before you sign

• Is there an arrangement fee or broker fee? How much is it and how is it collected?
• Will the fee be capitalised into the finance or paid separately?
• Are there any ongoing service or maintenance charges?
• Are early repayment charges applicable?
• Is VAT payable on any fees?
• Can you get a full written breakdown of the total cost (APR or equivalent)?

Questions like these help you compare offers on an apples‑to‑apples basis.

Get a free, no-obligation quote — we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who should disclose fees up front.

Example scenarios — how fees can appear in real equipment finance deals

Here are realistic examples to show how fees may be applied in different cases. These are illustrative only and do not guarantee any particular outcome.

• Catering van via hire purchase (£25,000) — lender offers hire purchase with no arrangement fee and a 36‑month term; monthly payments include interest and VAT on the financed equipment. Broker offers advice free and is paid by the lender.
• Construction excavator via finance lease (£75,000) — lessor quotes 1% arrangement fee (£750) which can be added to the capital amount; an inspection fee of £150 applies. Early repayment penalty specified in agreement.
• Specialist medical imaging equipment (£250,000) — broker arranges competitive leasing; broker charges a disclosed introduction fee or is remunerated by the lessor depending on the arrangement; valuation fees for commissioning may appear.

These scenarios show why comparing the total cost and understanding fee collection is vital. We help you get the clear quotes so you can compare.

How UK Business Loans protects you and ensures clarity

• We make clear that submitting an enquiry is free and not an application.
• We work with a wide panel of lenders and brokers and encourage transparency: partners should disclose fees and terms in writing.
• Your data is shared only with selected providers relevant to your enquiry and handled in line with our Privacy Policy.
• You are under no obligation to accept any quote or pay us — your decision to proceed is entirely yours.

Please note: we introduce you to lenders and brokers who will discuss finance options; any contractual terms, fees and acceptance are a matter between you and that provider.

Ready to get a free equipment finance quote?

Getting started takes minutes. To speed up a helpful, accurate match, have the following ready:

• Business name and contact details
• Approximate equipment cost and type
• Preferred term, any deposit you can pay
• Recent trading history (how long you’ve traded, annual turnover)

Submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders/brokers who can provide tailored quotes — usually for equipment finance of £10,000 and above. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Microcopy: Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. The enquiry form is for matching purposes only — lenders or brokers only carry out checks if you choose to proceed with an application.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay UK Business Loans to get quotes?

No. You do not pay UK Business Loans to submit an equipment finance enquiry. Our introductions are free for business owners and directors.

Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Sending us a short enquiry does not perform a credit check. Lenders or brokers may run credit checks only if you progress to an application.

Can a broker charge me an upfront fee?

Yes — some brokers or specialist advisers may charge upfront or one-off fees. They must disclose this before you agree to any paid service. Ask for a written fee schedule.

Who pays UK Business Loans?

We receive a fee from our partner lenders or brokers after a successful introduction or completed finance agreement. You will not be charged by us to enquire.

Can I get quotes from multiple lenders?

Yes. We aim to match you to several suitable providers so you can compare terms, fees and service levels.

Trusted partners and next steps

We connect you with experienced lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment finance for UK businesses. If you want a quick, free comparison and clear information about any fees before you sign, start your enquiry now and we’ll do the legwork for you.

Start your free eligibility check and receive quotes: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Further reading: learn more about specific options and how equipment finance works on our specialist page about equipment finance.

1. Is UK Business Loans a lender and does it cost to use the service?
No — we are an introducer (not a lender) and submitting an equipment finance or business loan enquiry is free for business owners.

2. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my personal or business credit score?
No — our short enquiry is not a credit application and won’t affect your credit score; lenders or brokers may carry out checks only if you choose to proceed.

3. What types of finance can I find through UK Business Loans?
We match businesses with lenders and brokers for equipment finance, asset finance, business loans, invoice finance, vehicle finance, leases and other commercial funding solutions.

4. How quickly will I get quotes or responses after I submit an enquiry?
Matched lenders or brokers typically contact you within hours, though response times can vary by provider.

5. Can start-ups or businesses with poor credit get matched to lenders?
Yes — we work with a panel that includes lenders specialising in start-ups and businesses with imperfect credit histories.

6. Are the lenders and brokers on your panel regulated and reliable?
We aim to work with reputable, FCA-regulated lenders and brokers who are required to disclose fees and terms transparently.

7. What fees might be charged in an equipment finance deal?
Lenders or brokers may charge arrangement/origination fees, broker fees, valuation or admin fees, VAT and possible early repayment charges depending on the product.

8. How do I compare different finance offers fairly?
Request a full written breakdown (APR or equivalent), any arrangement or broker fees, whether fees are capitalised, and the total cost over the term to compare offers apples‑to‑apples.

9. What information should I have ready before completing the enquiry form?
Prepare your business name and contact details, approximate equipment cost or loan amount, preferred term and deposit, plus recent trading history and turnover.

10. Is submitting an enquiry the same as applying for finance or committing to a deal?
No — an enquiry simply helps us match you with suitable lenders or brokers and does not create a finance application or obligation to accept any offer.