The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is live - contact us today 01473 553 430

How to Raise Finance for Your Commercial Property Development Project

Commercial property development offers significant opportunities, from office refurbishments and retail conversions to large-scale industrial or mixed-use schemes. Yet the capital required is substantial, and securing the right finance can be the difference between a project that thrives and one that stalls.

Traditional bank lending is no longer the default solution, and developers have begun to explore flexible, specialist property finance tailored to the commercial market.

Key finance options for commercial development

Commercial property projects vary widely, and so do the finance structures available. The right solution depends on whether you are redeveloping an existing site, undertaking a ground-up build, or acquiring premises to hold as an investment.

Development finance provides staged drawdowns for construction or major refurbishment, often covering both land acquisition and build costs.

Bridging loans can secure a site quickly or provide interim funding while long-term finance is arranged.

Revolving credit facilities are perfect for site acquisitions or property auction purchases.

Commercial mortgages may suit projects where the completed property will be retained as a long-term asset.

Each comes with different terms, security requirements, and repayment structures, so understanding your project’s cash flow and timeline is essential before deciding.

How to prepare your property finance proposal

Commercial developments require detailed preparation to secure finance. 

Lenders will expect:

– A professional business plan with financial forecasts, an exit strategy, and a clear return on investment

– Evidence of planning permission or significant progress towards securing it

– Accurate valuations and cost breakdowns from surveyors or contractors

– Details of your track record or relevant project experience

Even if this is your first commercial development, presenting a well-researched plan backed by expert advice can improve your credibility and strengthen your application.

Why you need specialist finance for commercial property projects

Commercial property projects are often more complex than residential builds, with longer timescales, higher upfront costs, and stricter planning requirements. Using a finance product that matches the rhythm of your development is vital.

Development finance, for example, releases funds in stages based on build progress. This keeps your interest payments lower than if you had drawn the full facility upfront. Bridging finance, on the other hand, gives you speed when you need to move quickly on a site or secure a property before refinancing.

The UK commercial property sector remains a major part of the economy, valued at over £1 trillion, with strong demand in logistics, industrial space, and flexible workspaces. With the right funding structure, you can take advantage of this demand while managing risk effectively.

Common challenges developers face

Commercial projects often involve complex funding needs, from land acquisition to fit-out. Cash flow gaps can emerge if funding is not properly staged, and unexpected costs can quickly erode margins. Timing is another challenge, as opportunities to secure prime sites are often time-sensitive.

By working with specialist lenders and brokers, you can access funding structures that align with these challenges, providing both the flexibility and speed commercial property development requires.

The next steps

Raising finance for commercial property development is about more than finding capital. It is about structuring the right funding to match your project, ensuring cash flow is maintained throughout, and positioning yourself for long-term returns.

If you are planning a new commercial development, exploring specialist finance options early will help you secure the resources to deliver on time and within budget. 

Jones & Co can support your business in identifying the right option for you and securing the right funding with specialist lenders. 

Speak to our commercial finance brokers 

How Jones & Co can help

At Jones & Co, we understand that every business is unique, and so are its financial needs.

That’s why we craft tailored finance solutions that enable businesses to thrive, no matter the challenge or opportunity.

With access to a vast network of trusted lenders, we’re here to simplify the process, offering straightforward, personalised guidance designed around you and your goals. Whether you’re looking to manage cash flow, invest in growth, or expand operations, our experts are ready to connect you with the ideal funding solution.

Contact our expert team today for a free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward business growth. 

logo

Insights

Finance in the news

View all articles
How Business Finance Support in Leeds Is Driving Growth Across Tech, Manufacturing, and More

Leeds has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing business hubs. From thriving tech start-ups to long-established manufacturers, the city is seeing record levels of innovation and investment.

Read more
Commercial Property Finance Explained: 6 Things Business Owners Need to Know

Commercial property finance can unlock growth, whether you are buying premises, developing land, or investing in property as part of a wider portfolio. For business owners, understanding the options available is the first step in making confident and strategic decisions.

Read more
How Birmingham’s Transport Boom Is Reshaping Business Finance in 2025

Birmingham is entering a new era of growth. With HS2 pushing forward and West Midlands transport expanding rapidly, the city is becoming one of the UK’s most connected business hubs. For entrepreneurs, established firms, and growing SMEs, this transformation creates new opportunities and new demands on business finance.

Read more
What Is a Merchant Cash Advance and How Does It Work?

Ever had a busy week of card sales, only to feel like the numbers don’t add up when it comes to the cash in the bank? You’re serving customers and turning over sales, but still hitting a wall when it comes to covering bills or upgrading equipment. 

Read more
5 Benefits of Business Refinancing Every Director Should Understand

For many business owners, the word refinancing raises alarm bells. It can feel like admitting your company is in trouble. However, the reality is very different.

Refinancing isn’t a last resort. Done right, it’s an effective way to take control and strengthen your company’s financial position.

Read more
Alternative Lending: Why Banks Are Bottlenecking Growth (And What To Do Instead)

Banks have become gatekeepers instead of growth partners. 

As funding pipelines dry up, alternative lending is stepping in to do what traditional finance won’t: actually support ambitious SMEs. It’s a massive, long-overdue rebalancing of power in the business finance world; a lifeline for UK businesses who need access to capital NOW.

Read more
How Asset Finance is Powering Manchester’s Industrial Growth

Industrial take-up is up, equipment investments are rising, and manufacturers are expanding. But here’s the catch: growth costs money. That’s why more Manchester businesses are ditching the wait-and-save approach and turning to asset finance to move faster, smarter, and without risking their working capital.

Read more
Merchant Finance: The Smarter Way to Fund Your Business

Merchant finance has been gaining traction across the UK.  It’s flexible, fast, and surprisingly fair. This form of funding is quietly becoming a go-to for UK businesses, particularly those that take the bulk of their payments by card. But what exactly is merchant finance, and why are so many switched-on businesses turning to it?

Read more
Why Asset Finance in Birmingham Is Gaining Momentum in the Construction Sector, and How Jones & Co Are Supporting the Surge

Birmingham is entering a new era of regeneration, with the construction sector standing at the forefront. Fuelled by major developments such as the £3 billion Sports Quarter, the demand for flexible and accessible funding is growing rapidly and asset finance is emerging as a critical solution. At Jones & Co, we are supporting this surge by offering tailored alternative finance options that empower businesses to grow.

Read more