Finance guides

Commercial finance guides that explain the next step

Short, practical explainers for common funding searches, with links back to the product pages and enquiry form.

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Commercial finance guide topics

Preparing for invoice finance

Invoice finance is usually easier to review when the debtor book is clear. Useful details include invoice values, customer spread, payment terms, debtor ageing, concentration with larger customers and whether invoices are business-to-business. Lenders may also consider credit control, disputes, turnover, trading history and the quality of the customers being invoiced. Read the invoice finance page for the full route overview.

Buying or refinancing business premises

Commercial property funding usually starts with the property, the borrower and the exit route. For longer-term borrowing, a commercial mortgage may fit. For short-term timing gaps, bridging finance may be relevant. For build or refurbishment projects, development finance may be more suitable. Some larger projects may also involve mezzanine finance where extra funding is needed behind senior debt. Documents may include property details, valuation, lease information, accounts, bank statements and planning documents where relevant.

Funding equipment, machinery or vehicles

Asset finance may be reviewed where a business needs vehicles, machinery, equipment, technology or other assets without using all available cash upfront. Helpful details include the asset type, supplier, price, deposit, VAT position, expected use and whether the asset is new or used. Lenders may review the asset, business trading position, affordability and ownership structure. Read the asset finance page for more detail.

Funding to buy a business

Acquisition finance can depend heavily on the structure of the deal. Useful information includes the purchase price, buyer contribution, target company accounts, management information, reason for sale, heads of terms, repayment plan and whether deferred consideration is involved. Lenders may consider both the buyer and the business being acquired. Read the acquisition finance page for the full overview.

Specific funding guides

Use these guides when you are comparing options or need a clearer view of what lenders may ask for.

Invoice finance for recruitment companies

Invoice finance guidance for UK recruitment companies dealing with payroll pressure, weekly wages and clients paying on longer terms.

Invoice finance for construction businesses

Invoice finance guidance for construction businesses where applications, retentions, staged payments and disputed debt can affect eligibility.

Invoice finance vs business loan

Compare invoice finance and business loans for UK SMEs, including cash flow fit, repayment structure, eligibility and documents.

Can you get a business loan with CCJs?

Plain-English guide to business loan options where directors or a business have CCJs, including what lenders may review.

Business loan after HMRC Time To Pay

Guide to business funding after an HMRC Time To Pay arrangement, including lender concerns, documents and realistic routes.

Funding to pay VAT

Guide to funding options for VAT bills, including business loans, invoice finance and cash flow evidence lenders may review.

Funding to pay HMRC arrears

Guide to funding options where a UK business has HMRC arrears, including lender concerns, evidence and realistic routes.

Asset finance for engineering firms

Asset finance guidance for engineering firms funding machinery, CNC equipment, vehicles, tooling and production assets.

Commercial mortgage for hotels

Commercial mortgage guidance for hotel purchases and refinance, including trading accounts, valuation, deposit and lender considerations.

Commercial mortgage for care homes

Commercial mortgage guidance for care home purchase or refinance, including property, trading, occupancy and regulatory considerations.

Bridging loan to buy commercial property

Guide to using bridging finance to buy commercial property, including exit routes, valuation, legal timing and refinance plans.

Funding to buy out a business partner

Guide to funding a business partner buyout, including acquisition finance, business loans, valuation, affordability and deal structure.

Invoice finance for manufacturing companies

Invoice finance guidance for UK manufacturers dealing with materials, production cycles, debtor days and customer payment terms.

Invoice finance for haulage companies

Invoice finance guidance for haulage and transport companies managing fuel, wages, vehicle costs and customer payment terms.

Invoice factoring vs invoice discounting

Plain-English comparison of invoice factoring and invoice discounting for UK businesses, including control, collections and suitability.

Confidential invoice discounting

Guide to confidential invoice discounting for UK businesses wanting invoice finance without obvious customer-facing lender involvement.

Working capital finance for small business

Guide to working capital finance for UK SMEs, including business loans, invoice finance, asset finance and cash-flow evidence.

Business cash flow loan

Guide to business cash flow loans and alternatives for UK SMEs, including invoice finance, working capital and lender checks.

Unsecured business loans for limited companies

Guide to unsecured business loans for UK limited companies, including affordability, personal guarantees and lender evidence.

Asset finance for construction equipment

Asset finance guidance for construction equipment, plant, machinery, vehicles and tools used by UK contractors and builders.

Asset finance for haulage companies

Asset finance guidance for haulage companies funding HGVs, trailers, vans, fleet upgrades and transport equipment.

Management buyout finance

Guide to management buyout finance for UK businesses, including buyer contribution, valuation, deferred consideration and lender review.

Development finance for refurbishment projects

Guide to refurbishment development finance, including heavy refurbishment, light refurbishment, staged drawdowns and exit routes.

Commercial bridging loan exit routes

Guide to commercial bridging loan exit routes, including refinance, sale, commercial mortgage and development completion.

Invoice finance for cleaning companies

Guide to invoice finance for UK cleaning companies dealing with payroll, contracts, delayed client payments and cash-flow pressure.

Invoice finance for security companies

Invoice finance guide for UK security companies with payroll, guard contracts, events work and clients paying on longer terms.

Invoice finance for wholesale businesses

Invoice finance guide for UK wholesalers managing stock purchases, trade customers, payment terms and debtor-led cash-flow gaps.

Invoice finance for food and drink businesses

Guide to invoice finance for UK food and drink suppliers, manufacturers and wholesalers with retailer or trade invoices.

Invoice finance for IT services companies

Invoice finance guide for IT support, managed service and technology businesses invoicing commercial clients on credit terms.

Selective invoice finance

Plain-English guide to selective invoice finance and single invoice finance for UK businesses with specific debtor funding needs.

Machinery finance for manufacturing

Guide to machinery finance for UK manufacturers buying, replacing or refinancing production equipment and plant.

Van finance for limited companies

Guide to van finance for UK limited companies buying or refinancing commercial vehicles for trade, delivery or service work.

HGV finance for business

Guide to HGV finance for UK haulage, logistics and transport businesses buying or refinancing heavy goods vehicles.

Forklift finance for warehouses

Guide to forklift finance for UK warehouses, wholesalers, manufacturers and logistics businesses buying handling equipment.

Plant finance for construction

Guide to construction plant finance for UK businesses buying excavators, loaders, access equipment or specialist machinery.

Technology equipment finance

Guide to technology equipment finance for UK businesses buying IT hardware, systems, software-linked equipment or office technology.

Business loan for stock purchase

Guide to business loans for stock purchases, including seasonal stock, supplier payments, cash-flow evidence and lender checks.

Business loan for payroll

Guide to business loans for payroll pressure, including temporary wage gaps, cash-flow evidence, invoice finance and lender concerns.

Business loan for expansion

Guide to business expansion loans for UK SMEs investing in staff, premises, stock, marketing, equipment or growth projects.

Short-term business loan

Guide to short-term business loans for UK SMEs, including cash-flow gaps, repayment planning, documents and alternatives.

Business loans with poor credit

Guide to business loans where credit issues exist, including lender checks, documents, affordability and realistic funding routes.

Refinance business debt

Guide to refinancing business debt, consolidating facilities, reviewing affordability and preparing documents for lender review.

Bridging loan for auction property

Guide to bridging loans for auction property purchases, including deadlines, deposits, legal checks, valuation and exit routes.

Bridging loan for refurbishment

Guide to refurbishment bridging loans for property works, light refurbishment, heavy refurbishment, valuation and exit planning.

Development finance for first-time developers

Guide to development finance for first-time developers, including experience, professional team, contribution and project evidence.

Owner-occupied commercial mortgage

Guide to owner-occupied commercial mortgages for businesses buying or refinancing premises they trade from.

Semi-commercial property finance

Guide to semi-commercial property finance for mixed-use buildings with commercial and residential elements.

Refinance commercial property

Guide to refinancing commercial property to replace a mortgage, raise business funds or review a changing property finance need.

Scotland and Central Belt finance guides

These pages are for Scottish businesses searching locally while comparing wider invoice finance, asset finance, business loan and property-backed lender markets.

Commercial finance for Scottish businesses

Commercial finance broker support for Scottish businesses, including invoice finance, asset finance, business loans and property funding.

Commercial finance in Central Scotland

Commercial finance support for Central Scotland businesses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk, Livingston and nearby towns.

Commercial finance in Glasgow

Commercial finance broker support for Glasgow businesses comparing invoice finance, asset finance, business loans and property funding.

Commercial finance in Edinburgh

Commercial finance support for Edinburgh businesses needing invoice finance, asset finance, business loans or property-backed funding.

Commercial finance in Stirling

Commercial finance support for Stirling businesses comparing cash-flow, asset, loan, acquisition and property funding options.

Commercial finance in Falkirk

Commercial finance support for Falkirk businesses needing invoice finance, asset finance, business loans or property funding.

Commercial finance in Livingston and West Lothian

Commercial finance support for Livingston and West Lothian businesses comparing invoice, asset, loan and property funding routes.

Commercial finance in Lanarkshire

Commercial finance support for Lanarkshire businesses in Motherwell, Hamilton, East Kilbride, Airdrie, Coatbridge and nearby towns.

Commercial finance in Paisley and Renfrewshire

Commercial finance support for Paisley and Renfrewshire businesses needing cash-flow, asset, loan or property-backed funding.

Commercial finance in Aberdeen and North East Scotland

Commercial finance support for Aberdeen and North East Scotland businesses needing invoice, asset, loan or property-backed funding.

Commercial finance in Dundee and Perth

Commercial finance support for Dundee, Perth and nearby businesses comparing invoice, asset, loan and property funding routes.

Invoice finance in Scotland

Invoice finance broker support for Scottish businesses dealing with unpaid B2B invoices, debtor books and cash-flow pressure.

Asset finance in Scotland

Asset finance broker support for Scottish businesses buying vehicles, machinery, plant, technology or business equipment.

Business loans in Scotland

Business loan broker support for Scottish SMEs needing working capital, stock, VAT, payroll, expansion or short-term cash flow.

Guide FAQs

Do I need every document before enquiring? No. A clear amount, purpose and timescale can be enough to start, with documents gathered later if a route looks suitable.

Can one enquiry cover more than one route? Yes. A request may involve invoice finance, asset finance, a business loan, acquisition finance or property-backed funding.

Is Jolt Funding a lender? Jolt Funding is a credit broker, not a lender. Funding is subject to lender criteria and individual circumstances.