How to Choose the Best Construction Business Loan
- Loan features. What are the loan amounts, terms, and repayment optionality offered by the lender? Will the loan amount cover the cost of your business needs?
- Application process. How invasive are the application information requirements? Does the approval process include a hard or soft credit check? How long does it take to complete the application and receive the funds?
- Interest rates and fees. What interest rates are associated with the loan? Are there any additional charges, such as origination or borrowing fees?
- Qualification process. What are the qualification requirements, such as annual revenue, minimum credit score, and minimum time in operation?
- Customer support. Is there an in-person customer support team? Are supplemental tools and information readily available?
- Online user reviews. What do previous customers say on independent review sites like Trustpilot?
- Perks and bonuses. Does the lender offer a flexible repayment schedule or employ advanced technology? How transparent are they in their advertising?
How Can You Use a Construction Business Loan?
These days, you can find a construction business loan for virtually any situation, whether you’re new to the industry or expanding your operations. Use the loan capital to:
- Market your business
- Purchase materials
- Hire workers
- Bid on projects
- Buy or lease construction equipment including tools, heavy-duty machinery, and specialized software
- Manage everyday expenses like office supplies, insurance premiums, taxes, legal fees, and salaries
How to Get a Construction Business Loan?
The specific application requirements and procedures will vary from lender to lender and from product to product. In general, to get the application process started, you will need to:
- Estimate the costs of your construction project.
- Review the qualifications of your business, such as its credit score, annual revenue, and time in business.
- Compare the different types of loans for construction businesses and determine which one works better for your needs.
- Find a lender that offers the type of loan you are looking for and has acceptable qualification requirements.
- Collect the required documentation and complete the loan application.
- Submit your application, sign the loan agreement, and complete the closing process.
Most of the time, to qualify for a construction business loan, you would need to have a credit score of 600 or more, a strong annual business revenue, be in business for one year or more, and be able to offer a down payment between 10% and 30%.
How Do Construction Business Loans Work?
A construction business loan is any type of loan that is used to help fund a construction business. These construction business loans can include equipment financing, lines of credit, term loans, and even business credit cards–each of them working differently.
- Equipment financing. With equipment financing, the lender issues you a lump sum amount needed to purchase equipment for your business, and the equipment itself functions as collateral in case of default.
- Business lines of credit. Here, the lender gives you access to a predetermined amount of funding, which you can draw from as you need. The line of credit can be secured or unsecured, and you would only need to pay interest on the funds you use.
- Term loans. A term loan provides borrowers with a lump sum of money upfront in agreement to specific borrowing terms. As such, you would agree to a certain interest rate, repayment schedule, and other terms.
- Business credit cards. Business credit cards can act as short-term, interest-free funding with flexible repayment options. This form of construction business loan can help you track your spending and establish a good credit history for future business loan applications.
Alternatives to Construction Business Loans
While commercial construction loans might work well to finance the needs of your construction business, they aren’t your only option.
- Get a business credit card for smaller daily expenses, when you need the money fast. The approval time is typically short, but the rates are high, and limits are low.
- Apply for a Merchant Cash Advance.
- With this type of financing, you receive quick access to a lump sum in exchange for a portion of your future profits. The lender will automatically deduct a percentage of your sales through a credit or debit card until the borrowed amount is repaid in full.
Conclusion
We have reviewed the best construction business loans on the market today, but the ultimate decision should be based on the specifics of your business and what you need the money for. For example, if you are planning to buy essential equipment for your business, the equipment financing and leasing loan from National Funding will be your best choice. On the other hand, if you have a business growth plan you wish to turn into life, consider applying for a long-term business building loan from Credibly.
Whatever financial product you end up choosing, make sure to review the terms and conditions offered by each lender carefully. With thorough research, you will be able to find the right financial product for your construction business.
*The required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors.