Cash advances for UK builders merchants.
Funded against your counter card takings. Built for independent builders merchants serving trade customers and DIY walk-ins.
MCA fits the counter side, not the accounts book.
Builders merchants typically split revenue between BACS-paid trade accounts (30-day terms) and card-paid counter trade. MCA only sits against the card-paid counter takings. If you're predominantly BACS-based, invoice finance against accounts receivable is the right tool, not MCA, and we'll redirect you to Funding Flow honestly rather than force-fit an advance.
What MCA means for a builders merchant.
Builders merchants combine trade-account customers (BACS, 30-day terms) with card-paying trade (smaller contractors, one-off buyers, DIY public). The card portion varies widely by operator, some do 25% card, others 60%+. Card volume has grown as smaller contractors increasingly use cards rather than account trading. MCA fits the card portion cleanly. Uses: yard stock top-up, heavy plant or van fleet expansion, branch refurbishment, online trade counter launch, click-and-collect infrastructure, seasonal stock (roofing materials, aggregates, insulation).
Sound familiar?
Yard stock top-up ahead of construction season.
£30k to £100k of aggregates, timber, roofing materials to meet spring/summer demand. Suppliers want paying on delivery.
MCA against card counter takings bridges the buy. Peak season counter card volume drives repayment. Classic construction-cycle play.
Branch refurbishment or new yard.
Counter refit, EPOS upgrade, yard layout redesign, trade-desk extension, £25k to £70k.
MCA funds the working capital side. For fixed infrastructure, term loan often fits better, we'll structure both.
Delivery van fleet needs expanding.
New van acquisition, £20k to £45k per van, often multiple vans.
Asset finance almost always wins for named vehicles. MCA for the working capital around the expansion (driver recruitment, fuel, insurance deposits). Compare both honestly.
Here's what it actually costs.
A single-branch builders merchant borrows £25,000 for yard stock and counter refit. Monthly counter card takings: £55,000 (BACS account trade not included). £25,000. Average monthly card takings £55,000. Fixed cost 1.24. 11% daily repayment % on card sales, total cost £6,000.
These figures are illustrative. If a term loan or asset finance fits your situation better, we'll tell you.
Open the fixed cost calculator →Work out the real cost.
New businesses typically start at a higher daily % and a shorter term.
Illustrative only, not a quote.
- Advance£25,000
- vs card takings45%
- Fixed cost1.24
- Daily repayment£199
- Avg monthly£6,050
- Est. term5.1 months
Illustrative. The fixed cost is set on day one; daily repayment varies with takings. Term capped at 18 months.
Illustrative only, not a quote. Every figure here is subject to the funder. Funders advance anywhere from 100% up to 150% of monthly card takings, so 150% is not guaranteed, and the fixed cost is not guaranteed either. Your actual advance, fixed cost and terms depend on the funder and your business profile.
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£30,000 funded yard stock and counter EPOS upgrade, repaid in 5 months.
Illustrative composite. Single-branch merchant, £50k/mo counter card plus £150k/mo BACS account trade. MCA at 1.23 factor, 10% daily repayment against counter only. Yard stocked ahead of spring, new EPOS live April, counter card volume lifted to £62k/mo through peak construction season. Advance repaid on schedule.
Illustrative composite scenarioBuilders merchants, quick answers.
MCA only against card takings. If BACS dominates and card is under £5k/mo, MCA capacity is limited. Consider invoice finance against your accounts receivable instead, often a better fit for BACS-heavy builders merchants. Funding Flow handles that.
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