Finance for the firms that build the build.
Vans, tools, mini-plant and trailers for plumbers, sparkies, joiners, roofers and groundworkers — funded with owner-operator and growing-crew structures.
£26m+
Funded for trades
8 days
Average van turnaround
0–10%
Typical deposit
60mo
Max term on prime LCV
If it earns its keep, we've probably funded one.
Trade vans
Transit, Sprinter, Crafter, Vivaro, Caddy. New, ex-demo or used. Racked, signwritten and on the road in days.
Tools & power kit
Compressors, generators, welders, jet washers, plate compactors. Funded as a kit-out package.
Mini-plant
1–3t excavators, dumpers, rollers, telehandlers. Auction or dealer sourced, funded for one-man bands and small crews.
Trailers & towables
Plant trailers, tipping trailers, welfare units, mobile workshops. Ifor Williams, Indespension, Brian James.
Pickups & 4x4
Hilux, Ranger, L200, Amarok, D-Max. Funded for site access, towing and badge value.
Storage & welfare
Container conversions, tool stores, mobile welfare, drying rooms. Funded as fixed-asset purchases.
How trades & sub-contracting deals usually structure.
Typical ticket
£15k – £80k per drawdown
Range we fund
£5k tool kit → £250k crew expansion
Term
36 – 60 months
Deposit
0 – 15%
Structure
HP dominant for asset retention; refinance to release equity from owned vans/plant ahead of contract starts.
The usual pain.
CIS income confuses banks
CIS gross/net status doesn't fit standard income templates. We use trades-specialist lenders who'll model CIS deductions correctly.
New-trade accounts are thin
First-year sole traders and limited companies struggle on filed accounts. We use lenders who'll underwrite on bank statements, contract evidence and trade qualifications.
Auction kit is 'too risky'
Mainstream lenders won't touch auction stock. Plant-specialists do — with engineer's report instead of warranty.
How we structure it.
CIS-aware underwriting
Lenders who understand CIS gross/net, agency vs direct contracts, and how to model real take-home.
Owner-operator friendly
We fund single-van plumbers and one-man landscaping crews — most banks won't even quote.
Refinance for cash flow
Released £40k for a Coventry roofer from owned vans and plant ahead of a 6-month school contract — kit never moved.
Reviewed by UK businesses
Sorted in 36 hours
"Bank wanted three weeks just to look at the file. AssetFi had the agreement signed and the digger paid for in 36 hours. Couldn't fault them."
Genuinely no fees
"I'd been stung by brokers before so I asked twice — really, no fees? Confirmed in writing. Got a sharper rate than my bank too. They've now done four vans for me."
Understood our cash flow
"We needed a CBCT scanner but our last accounts had a bad quarter. AssetFi went to specialist healthcare lenders, came back with three options and explained each properly. Brilliant."
Our panel
Lenders we use for trades & sub-contracting
Independent of any single lender. We place every deal with the funder offering the best fit on rate, structure and speed.
Plus 40+ specialist funders covering challenger banks, asset-specific lenders and tier-2 underwriters. Lender names shown are trademarks of their respective owners.
Questions trades & sub-contracting customers ask.
I'm a sole trader on CIS — can I get finance?
Yes. We have trades-specialist lenders who'll lend to CIS sole traders on bank statements and contract evidence. Personal guarantee required, deposit usually 10–15%.
Can I finance tools as well as a van?
Yes — tools, racking, signwriting and small plant can all be bundled into one HP agreement. Minimum facility usually £5k.
Will lenders fund auction-bought plant?
Yes — three of our lenders are comfortable with Ritchie Bros, Cheffins, Sandhills and similar. Engineer's inspection report and lot description required.
I've only been trading 6 months — any options?
Possibly — depends on the deposit you can put down (typically 20–25%), trade qualifications, and signed contract evidence. Worth a five-minute call to see.
Ready to fund the next bit of trades & sub-contracting kit?
Soft search. 24-hour decisions. No broker fees, ever.
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