Plumbing Business Loans

From a new van to materials for a bathroom refit, fund your plumbing business with confidence. Lendus compares 200+ lenders so you can focus on the job, not the finance.

Typical Range

£3k – £100k

Average Loan

£18k

for plumbing

Decision Speed

24–48 hrs

for unsecured loans

Eligibility requirements

Minimum 6 months trading history
Gas Safe or equivalent registration for gas work, where applicable
Registered UK business (sole trader, partnership, or limited company)
Personal guarantee typically required from the business owner

Loan types available

Asset Finance

Rate: 5.9% – 14.9% APR
Term: 1 – 5 years
Security: The asset being financed
Best for: Vans and specialist tools without a large upfront cash outlay

Unsecured Business Loan

Rate: 7.9% – 29.9% APR
Term: 1 – 5 years
Security: No security required
Best for: Materials for a bathroom or heating installation, hiring an apprentice, or stocking parts for winter breakdown call-outs

Invoice Finance

Rate: Discount rate 1.5% – 4% + service fee 0.2% – 3% of turnover
Term: Rolling facility, reviewed annually
Security: Secured against outstanding invoices
Best for: Plumbers subcontracting to larger contractors on 30 to 60 day payment terms

Representative example

Borrow £18,000 over 36 months at 9.9% APR (fixed). Monthly repayment: ~£580. Rates depend on your circumstances and the type of loan.

Common challenges

Winter demand for emergency boiler and heating call-outs can spike sharply, requiring parts and stock to be readily available
Materials for larger jobs, such as a full bathroom or heating installation, are often bought upfront before the client pays on completion
Income can vary week to week for sole traders and small firms depending on the mix of jobs booked
Subcontracting to larger contractors typically means working to 30 to 60 day payment terms, similar to the wider construction sector

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders work with plumbing businesses that have imperfect credit. You may need a personal guarantee or higher rate, 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 get finance for a new van?

Yes, asset finance is the most common way plumbers fund a van, since the vehicle itself is used as security. This spreads the cost over time rather than requiring a large cash outlay, and terms are typically matched to how long you plan to keep the vehicle before replacing it. Lendus can compare asset finance terms across lenders experienced in financing trade vehicles.

How can I fund materials for a bathroom or heating installation?

An unsecured business loan is commonly used to buy materials upfront for a larger job, repaid once the client settles on completion or against agreed stages. If you regularly subcontract to larger contractors on longer payment terms, invoice finance may be a better long-term fit, releasing funds soon after each invoice is raised rather than waiting the full payment term.

Does winter boiler breakdown demand affect my finance options?

Some plumbing and heating businesses use short-term finance ahead of winter to stock up on common parts and boilers, so they can respond quickly to emergency call-outs when demand spikes. Lenders assessing a heating business will generally understand this seasonal pattern as a normal feature of the trade rather than a sign of instability. Lendus can help arrange this kind of short-term facility ahead of the colder months.

Does my Gas Safe registration matter for finance applications?

Yes, Gas Safe or equivalent registration is generally treated as a positive trust signal by lenders where gas work forms part of your business, since it demonstrates you are legally qualified to carry out that work. It is not usually a strict requirement for smaller unsecured loans, but it is often asked about and can support better terms. Keeping your registration certificate easily accessible also speeds up the application process.

Equipment finance for plumbing businesses

Buying a specific machine or vehicle is usually cheaper than a general business loan, because the asset itself is the security. These are the items plumbing businesses most often fund, with the price range we see quoted in the UK.

Equipment	Typical price range	Finance page
Van	£15k to £80k	Van finance
Air Handling Unit	£8k to £350k	Air Handling Unit finance
Blast Freezer	£6k to £500k	Blast Freezer finance
Chiller Unit	£20k to £600k	Chiller Unit finance
Cold Store Racking	£10k to £400k	Cold Store Racking finance
Ductwork Fabrication	£8k to £200k	Ductwork Fabrication finance
Humidity Control	£3k to £100k	Humidity Control finance
Refrigeration Condensing Unit	£3k to £150k	Refrigeration Condensing Unit finance
Rooftop Unit	£15k to £250k	Rooftop Unit finance
Industrial Ventilation Fan	£3k to £120k	Industrial Ventilation Fan finance
VRF System	£12k to £300k	VRF System finance
Air Source Heat Pump	£8k to £120k	Air Source Heat Pump finance

Browse all equipment finance pages

Guides and resources

How to Get a Business Loan Business Loan Eligibility Secured vs Unsecured Best Business Loans UK iwoca Review Funding Circle Review

Ready to find the best plumbing loan?

Compare rates from 200+ lenders. No credit check to get started.

Check Eligibility →