Secured working capital
Use property equity for a larger facility that carries the business through a big project or a slow-paying client.
Construction finance
Construction Business Loans for Builders and Contractors
Progress claims paid late, wages due Thursday and a machine needed on site Monday. Construction finance that keeps the project moving on schedule.
Built on claims
Why is construction cash flow so hard to manage?
Construction is a business of big numbers and long waits. A builder or contractor might be carrying a very large sum in labour and materials before a progress claim is approved, and approval is only the start. Payment can take weeks, retentions can be held for months and variations can be argued over long after the work is done.
Meanwhile, the costs keep landing. Crews and subbies expect to be paid weekly. Suppliers want accounts cleared. Plant hire runs by the day. One late payment from a head contractor or developer can ripple straight through the business and into payroll. Subbies who are paid late soon go and find other builders to work for.
Construction business loans give builders, civil firms and specialist contractors the breathing room to keep working while the money catches up. Loanster matches you with lenders who understand claims and retentions, and being cashed up as soon as tomorrow is possible for eligible applicants with documents ready. The project keeps moving.
Construction business loans fund builders, civil contractors and trade subcontractors for wages, materials, plant and gaps between progress claims and payment. Property-secured loans range from $20,000 to $5,000,000, with up to $5m possible within 24–48 hours. Unsecured options typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.
Fund the project
Three ways construction businesses bridge the gap
The right choice depends on what is holding up the money.
Short-term cash-flow loan
A quick lump sum for wages, materials or a tax bill while a progress claim works its way through approval.
Construction equipment finance
Fund excavators, loaders, scissor lifts and site vehicles as assets, keeping cash free for labour and materials.
How do I cover wages while waiting on a progress claim?
This is the most common reason construction businesses call us. The claim has gone in, the work is done, and the money is coming, just not before Thursday's pay run. A short-term loan or a line of credit covers wages and super for the gap and is repaid when the claim is paid.
Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts. If the gap is larger, a secured loan over residential or commercial property can provide $20k to $250k the same day. See payroll funding for more on getting your crew paid on time.
When a contract needs gear on site by Monday
Picture a civil contractor who wins a drainage package on a new estate. The head contractor wants a second excavator and a tipper on site by Monday, and hire rates for the length of the job would wipe out the margin. Buying makes more sense, but the business does not want to sink its working capital into plant.
Construction equipment finance funds the machines with the plant itself as security. With a dealer tax invoice, ID and bank statements ready, next-business-day settlement is possible for straightforward applications. Our machinery finance and used equipment finance pages cover new and second-hand plant.
What do lenders look for in a construction business?
Lenders who fund construction understand that bank balances swing hard between claims. They focus on the bigger picture: the pipeline of work, the quality of your clients and whether the business has handled the cycle before.
Have these ready to speed things up.
- ABN or ACN, ID and any relevant licence details
- Six to twelve months of business bank statements
- Your most recent BAS
- Current contracts and the schedule of upcoming claims
- Aged receivables showing who owes you and how long it has been
- Quotes or invoices for any plant or equipment
Apply today… cashed up tomorrow!
Need the funds this week?
Start the 60-second enquiry now. When your documents are ready and the deal is straightforward, being cashed up as soon as tomorrow is possible for eligible applicants.
Can a builder get finance with an ATO debt?
Yes, in many cases. ATO debt is common in construction, because tax often falls behind while a business is carrying unpaid claims. It is considered case by case. Lenders look at whether the business is still winning and completing work, and whether there is a realistic plan to bring the debt under control.
Property security makes these applications much stronger. Our ATO debt business loans page and the ATO debt letter guide explain your options if a letter has just arrived. Do not wait until the debt has grown further.
Using property to fund a bigger pipeline
As a construction business grows, so does the gap between costs and payments. A business that was comfortable running two jobs can find itself stretched when it takes on five. That is often the point to arrange a larger secured facility rather than juggling small loans.
A first mortgage, second mortgage or caveat over residential or commercial property supports business loans up to $5m. A caveat loan can be in place very quickly for a short-term need, while a second mortgage business loan leaves your existing home loan in place. Rates depend on security, term, risk and lender.
Keep the site running and the crew paid
When a claim is late, a machine is needed or the ATO is calling, start the 60-second enquiry from the site office or the ute. There is no credit check when you first enquire, and your details are not sent off to a crowd of lenders. A real person who understands construction looks at your situation and rings you back.
Please fill in the form accurately, including your turnover, current contracts and what the money is for. Accurate information is what gets you matched first time. All loans are subject to lender approval.
Trust and process
Clear, secure finance enquiries
Loanster keeps the enquiry process straightforward: no credit check to enquire, a real person looks at your situation, and your details are not sprayed out to a pile of lenders.
Secure online enquiry
Personal details are submitted through a secure form and are not sent through URL query strings.
Australian business context
Enquiries can include ABN, BAS, ATO, bank statement and asset details where relevant.
Lender criteria apply
Approval, pricing, loan amounts and funding times depend on lender assessment.
Clear next steps
Loanster helps identify what information may be needed before a lender can make a decision.
Common questions
Construction Business Loans for Builders and Contractors FAQs
Can subcontractors get construction business loans?
Yes. Trade subcontractors are assessed on bank statements, turnover and the contracts they hold, just like head contractors. See our tradie business loans page for smaller trade businesses.
Can I borrow against an unpaid progress claim?
Some lenders offer invoice-style finance against approved claims, though construction claims can be more complex than regular invoices. A short-term loan is often the simpler route.
How much can a construction company borrow?
Property-secured business loans range from $20,000 to $5,000,000. Unsecured options typically run from $5,000 to $500,000, sized on turnover and bank statements.
How fast can a builder get funding?
Same-day funding is possible for smaller unsecured amounts, $20k to $250k is possible same day with property security, and up to $5m is possible within 24–48 hours.
Can I finance an excavator for a new contract?
Yes. Excavators and other plant are commonly financed with the machine as security, and next-business-day settlement is possible for straightforward applications.
Will retentions affect my application?
Lenders understand retentions are normal in construction. Showing which retentions are due and when can actually help explain your cash flow.
Related finance options
Explore connected Loanster pages
Construction Equipment Finance for Builders and Civil Contractors
Won the tender, now you need the machine on site Monday. Construction equipment finance gets excavators, loaders and plant paid for fast.
Payroll Funding When You Need Money for Wages This Week
Pay day is coming and the account is short. Fast payroll funding can cover wages and super so your team is paid on time, every time.
Tradie Business Loans for Sparkies, Plumbers, Chippies and More
Materials to buy, an apprentice to pay and a client who is thirty days late. Tradie finance built around how trade businesses actually get paid.
Urgent ATO Debt Funding for Australian Businesses
Got a letter from the ATO? A business loan can clear the debt quickly, so you can stop worrying about it and get back to running the business.
All business loan options
See every business loan page on Loanster in one place.
Start your enquiry
See what you may qualify for
Tell Loanster what kind of finance you are looking for and the team will guide you through the next step. Please fill in the form accurately so we can match you first time. Finance is subject to lender approval, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions.
Prefer to talk? Call 03 9999 7370.
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
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