Development Finance

Fast property development funding with competitive rates and flexible terms. Access our network of 40+ specialist lenders for projects from £50k to £50m+

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Development Finance
in a nutshell

Development finance is a short-term funding solution used to build, convert or refurbish residential or commercial property. It provides the capital for property purchases and construction costs.

Development loans can be used at any stage of a project, from initial site acquisition through to final completion. These loans typically range from 6-24 months, with terms tailored to match your project timeline. A light refurbishment might need just 6 months, while a ground-up development could require up to 24 months.

Most development loans feature rolled-up interest, meaning you don’t make monthly repayments during the build phase. Instead, all interest and fees are capitalised and repaid in full when you complete, sell, or refinance the project.

Lenders provide funding in stages tied to construction milestones, with a monitoring surveyor overseeing progress and approving each drawdown. This staged approach ensures funds are released as work progresses, maintaining cash flow control throughout your project.

Your exit strategy is crucial to any lender’s decision. The most common routes are selling the completed development to repay the loan, or refinancing onto a longer-term mortgage product for rental or investment purposes.

Some of our lenders

Competitive Rates

Rates from 0.33% per month, with deals tailored to your project, experience, and loan-to-value.

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Speed

Quick decisions within 24–48 hours and funds available in 7–10 days, keeping your build on track.

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Rolled up interest

No monthly payments during construction. Interest and fees are added to the loan and settled once the project completes.

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Portfolio Growth

Spread your capital across several projects instead of tying it up in one, reducing risk and accelerating growth.

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Who is Eligible?

Essential Requirements:

  • UK residency or strong UK ties
  • Property cannot be your primary residence
  • Satisfactory credit history (adverse credit considered case-by-case)
  • Clear project plan with planning permission
  • Realistic exit strategy

Strengthen Your Application With:

  • Previous development experience (though first-time developers welcome)
  • Additional property assets or security
  • Professional project team (architect, contractor, surveyor)
  • Detailed cost breakdown and timelines
  • Strong financial position and deposit

How does it work?

1.Application & Assessment: The application process focuses on four key areas: the property and its potential, your project scope and timeline, your team’s experience and capability, and the financial structure including loan-to-value ratios. We’ll review your planning permission, development costs, and projected values to structure the optimal funding solution.

2.Funding in Stages: Lenders fund development projects in tranches tied to construction milestones. After an initial advance for land purchase (typically 50-65% of current value), subsequent funding covers 100% of build costs as work progresses. Each stage requires monitoring surveyor approval, with funds typically released within 48 hours of stage completion certification.

3. Exit & Settlement: All fees and interest are rolled up throughout the facility term, with everything settled when you complete your chosen exit route. Whether selling the completed development, refinancing onto a long-term mortgage, or using development exit bridging, the entire balance is cleared in one final payment.

How Much Does It Cost?

FAQ's

To provide you with an accurate indicative offer, we’ll need the current value of your property or site, along with the projected Gross Development Value once completed. We’ll also require details of your deposit size and an indication of the development costs, typically from contractor quotes. Information about any existing debt on the property, your planned exit strategy, and company/director details will complete the initial assessment.

The timeline can vary from 1 to 3 months depending on project complexity and documentation readiness. For straightforward projects with planning permission already in place and full documentation prepared, funding can be arranged within 2-4 weeks. More complex developments requiring detailed due diligence may take 6-12 weeks. The process includes valuation and surveyor reports, legal documentation, and various compliance checks.

There are typically three main exit routes available. You can sell the completed development and use the proceeds to repay the loan in full. Alternatively, you can refinance onto a longer-term mortgage product such as a buy-to-let mortgage if you plan to retain the property for rental income. A third option is using a development exit bridging loan, which provides additional time to market and sell your completed units while maintaining competitive funding costs.

Yes, though rates may be higher. We work with lenders who consider first-time developers with strong projects, professional teams, and adequate experience in related fields like construction or property.

Qualifing questions

Can I Borrow?

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Please pop your details in the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

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