Network Switch Finance

Q: Can I finance switches on their own without the rest of the network project?

Yes, switches can be financed as a standalone purchase, though many businesses combine them with cabling, wireless access points and firewalls into a single network refresh agreement. If you are financing switches alone, tell your lender what they will be connecting to and how many ports and PoE budget you need, since undersizing a switch purchase often leads to a second, smaller finance application within a year or two.

Q: Does switch finance cover installation and cabling?

Sometimes. Installation labour and structured cabling are often invoiced separately from the switch hardware, particularly on larger office fit-outs, and not every lender is willing to fund labour on the same terms as physical equipment. Ask your broker to check the supplier's quote line by line before applying; where cabling is a large share of the project it may need to be financed or paid for outside the equipment agreement.

Q: How often do businesses replace network switches?

There's no fixed rule, but many IT teams plan around a refresh every five to seven years, sooner if the switch no longer supports current PoE standards, faster uplink speeds, or the security patches the manufacturer still issues for newer models. A switch that is out of vendor support is a common trigger for replacement even if the hardware itself is still working, since firmware and security updates stop being available.

Q: Is leasing or hire purchase better for network switches?

Hire purchase suits switches you expect to keep running for their full working life, since you own the hardware once payments finish and it typically still has years of service ahead. A lease suits businesses planning a shorter refresh cycle, for example to move to a faster core switching standard, or that would rather treat networking as an ongoing operating cost than a depreciating capital asset on the balance sheet.

Q: How quickly can network switch finance be approved?

Most applications are approved within 24 hours, and network switch purchases under £30,000 are often approved the same day, provided the business has a clean credit history and the supplier's quote is straightforward to review. Larger orders, multi-site rollouts, or purchases bundled with other equipment on the same agreement can take a little longer, since the lender needs to review the full specification and how the purchase fits with what the business already has in place.

Spread the cost of network switches from £1,500 to £40,000+ with flexible finance options: HP, lease or refinance. Compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a network switch?

Yes, network switchs are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £1,500 to £40,000, and most deals are written over 24–48 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£2k – £40k

Approval Speed

24 hours

Same-day for < £30k

Rates From

5.1% APR

What would a network switch cost per month?

Network Switch price (ex VAT) £9,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical network switch price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.4% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Fixed network infrastructure a business plans to run for its full working life

Finance Lease

Rate: From 5.1% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Bundling switching and cabling into one deductible monthly payment

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.8% APR
Term: 24–36 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Keeping switch firmware and port speeds current as standards move to faster Ethernet

Representative example

On a purchase price of £9,000: a 10% deposit of £900, then 48 monthly payments of £190 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £10,020, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switch	£1,800 – £6,000	Access Switch
Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switch	£4,000 – £12,000	Stackable Switch
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Pro (24/48-port)	£600 – £2,500	PoE Switch
HPE Aruba CX Series Switch	£2,000 – £8,000	Access/Core Switch

Tax benefits

Network switches qualify for the Annual Investment Allowance, so an HP purchase can be deducted against taxable profit in the year of purchase. Lease payments are deductible in full as they fall due. Installation, patching and cabling are frequently invoiced as labour rather than hardware; check with your accountant and your lender whether these need to sit inside or outside the asset finance agreement.

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders specialise in businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance switches on their own without the rest of the network project?

Yes, switches can be financed as a standalone purchase, though many businesses combine them with cabling, wireless access points and firewalls into a single network refresh agreement. If you are financing switches alone, tell your lender what they will be connecting to and how many ports and PoE budget you need, since undersizing a switch purchase often leads to a second, smaller finance application within a year or two.

Does switch finance cover installation and cabling?

Sometimes. Installation labour and structured cabling are often invoiced separately from the switch hardware, particularly on larger office fit-outs, and not every lender is willing to fund labour on the same terms as physical equipment. Ask your broker to check the supplier's quote line by line before applying; where cabling is a large share of the project it may need to be financed or paid for outside the equipment agreement.

How often do businesses replace network switches?

There's no fixed rule, but many IT teams plan around a refresh every five to seven years, sooner if the switch no longer supports current PoE standards, faster uplink speeds, or the security patches the manufacturer still issues for newer models. A switch that is out of vendor support is a common trigger for replacement even if the hardware itself is still working, since firmware and security updates stop being available.

Is leasing or hire purchase better for network switches?

Hire purchase suits switches you expect to keep running for their full working life, since you own the hardware once payments finish and it typically still has years of service ahead. A lease suits businesses planning a shorter refresh cycle, for example to move to a faster core switching standard, or that would rather treat networking as an ongoing operating cost than a depreciating capital asset on the balance sheet.

How quickly can network switch finance be approved?

Most applications are approved within 24 hours, and network switch purchases under £30,000 are often approved the same day, provided the business has a clean credit history and the supplier's quote is straightforward to review. Larger orders, multi-site rollouts, or purchases bundled with other equipment on the same agreement can take a little longer, since the lender needs to review the full specification and how the purchase fits with what the business already has in place.

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Guides and resources

What Is Asset Finance? HP vs Leasing Operating vs Finance Lease Best Asset Finance Companies Close Brothers Review Lombard Review

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