Security Company Business Loans

From funding guarding payroll to new CCTV technology, fund your security business with confidence. Explore business funding through Fundably. Eligibility criteria apply.

Typical Range

£10k – £300k

Average Loan

£55k

for security company

Decision Speed

24–48 hrs

for unsecured loans

Eligibility requirements

Minimum 6 months trading history
Registered UK business (sole trader, partnership, or limited company)
Guarding staff holding a current licence from the relevant UK security industry regulator
Personal guarantee typically required from the business owner or directors

Loan types available

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: Paying guarding staff weekly while commercial and event clients settle invoices on 30 to 60 day terms

Asset Finance

Rate: 5.9% – 14.9% APR
Term: 1 – 5 years
Security: The asset being financed
Best for: CCTV systems, alarm technology, and vehicles for mobile patrols

Unsecured Business Loan

Rate: 7.4% – 26.9% APR
Term: 1 – 5 years
Security: No security required
Best for: Mobilising a new contract, uniforms and equipment, or SIA licensing costs for new staff

Representative example

Borrow £55,000 over 36 months at 9.9% APR (fixed). Monthly repayment: ~£1,772. Rates depend on your circumstances and the type of loan.

Common challenges

Guarding staff are typically paid weekly or fortnightly while commercial clients settle invoices on 30 to 60 day terms, creating a recurring cash flow gap
Margins on manned guarding contracts are often low, particularly where pricing is competitively tendered for local authority or corporate contracts
Licensing requirements for individual security staff add a compliance and administrative cost that scales with headcount
Contract concentration is common, with many smaller security firms dependent on a small number of large commercial or event clients

Bad credit?

Some specialist lenders consider security company businesses with imperfect credit. You may need a personal guarantee or higher rate, but options may be available. Fundably may use a soft credit check for matching, which does not affect your credit score. A hard check may happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.

Frequently asked questions

How does invoice finance help a security company with weekly guarding payroll?

Invoice finance releases a percentage of the value of an invoice, often within 24 hours of it being raised, rather than waiting the usual 30 to 60 days for a commercial client to pay. This means you can meet weekly or fortnightly guarding payroll without the timing gap between paying staff and being paid by clients causing cash flow strain, which is why it is widely used in this sector.

Can I get finance to mobilise a new security contract?

Yes, an unsecured business loan is commonly used to cover start-up costs for a new contract, such as uniforms, radios and licensing for additional staff, before the first invoice is raised and paid. Lenders will typically want to see the signed contract alongside your trading history when assessing the application. Lendus can help size the loan to the contract's start-up costs so you are not left short before the first invoice is paid.

What can asset finance cover for a security business?

Asset finance is well suited to CCTV systems, alarm and monitoring technology, and vehicles used for mobile patrols, since the equipment itself is used as security. This is particularly relevant for firms moving into technology-based security services alongside or instead of manned guarding. Financing this equipment separately from a working capital facility also keeps your invoice finance headroom free for payroll.

Does staff licensing affect my ability to get finance?

Lenders will generally want confirmation that your guarding staff hold current licences from the relevant UK security industry regulator, since operating without properly licensed staff would be a significant compliance issue. Maintaining good licensing compliance across your workforce supports a stronger application, in the same way it underpins your ability to trade on regulated contracts. Keeping licensing records organised and easily accessible also helps speed up the application process.

Equipment finance for security company 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 security company businesses most often fund, with the price range we see quoted in the UK.

Equipment	Typical price range	Finance page
CCTV System	£2k to £80k	CCTV System finance
Van	£15k to £80k	Van finance
Access Control System	£1k to £50k	Access Control System finance
3D Scanner	£3k to £80k	3D Scanner finance
Alarm System	£800 to £30k	Alarm System finance
Audio Visual Equipment	£3k to £200k	Audio Visual Equipment finance
AV Equipment	£2k to £150k	AV Equipment finance
Backup Appliance	£3k to £80k	Backup Appliance finance
Barcode Scanner	£1k to £40k	Barcode Scanner finance
Brewery Equipment	£10k to £500k	Brewery Equipment finance
Broadcast Equipment	£5k to £200k	Broadcast Equipment finance
Camera Equipment	£2k to £80k	Camera Equipment 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

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For UK limited companies with at least 3 months’ trading and monthly revenue.