Sustainability Loans — commercial mortgages & bridging finance for retrofit and development projects

Summary: Yes — UK Business Loans can connect your limited company, LLP or property business with lenders and brokers who offer commercial mortgages and short-term bridging finance for retrofit and development projects (loans typically £10,000+). We don’t lend directly; we match you to specialist providers so you can compare quotes and pick the best solution. Start a free eligibility check to receive tailored matches and quick responses from lenders and brokers.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

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Quick answer — do you provide commercial mortgages or bridging finance for retrofit and development?

Short answer: we don’t provide loans ourselves, but we can introduce your business to lenders and brokers who offer commercial mortgages and bridging finance for retrofit and development work. Our role is to match you quickly with the specialist providers who understand sustainability upgrades (solar PV, heat pumps, EV chargers, fabric-first retrofit) and development finance needs.

Why use us? We save you time, increase your chance of being matched with an appropriate lender, and let you compare multiple options without filling dozens of separate forms. Ready to see options? Start your free enquiry.

What types of finance are available for retrofit & development projects

“Sustainability loans” in this context cover funding for improving a building’s energy performance and low‑carbon development. Through our panel you can be introduced to lenders and brokers offering:

Bridging finance (short-term)

• Purpose: fast purchase of a site, bridge cashflow while works complete, or fund urgent retrofit/installations before long-term finance is in place.
• Features: short terms (days to 12–24 months), higher interest than long-term mortgages, flexible security arrangements.
• Best for: urgent site purchases, gap funding between purchase and mortgage completion, quick retrofit installations when timing is critical.

Commercial mortgages (long-term)

• Purpose: long-term funding to buy or refinance commercial property, buy-to-let investments, or fund major development on completion.
• Features: longer terms (5–25 years), amortising or interest-only options, typically lower rates than bridging, LTVs based on property valuation and projected rents/sales.
• Best for: refinancing once retrofit is complete, financing completed developments, owner-occupied or investment properties with steady income.

Sustainability-specific products

• Green commercial mortgages and sustainability loans aimed at energy-efficient projects.
• Asset finance for solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and heat pumps.
• Loans combined with grants, EPC-driven financing, or energy performance contracting models.

Quick comparison — bridging vs commercial mortgage vs sustainability loan

• Speed: Bridging fastest, sustainability-specific and commercial mortgages slower.
• Term: Bridging short; commercial mortgage long; sustainability loans can be mid-long depending on product.
• Cost: Bridging higher rates/fees; mortgages lower rates but stricter underwriting; green products may offer preferential terms if criteria met.

Want to compare options? Get a free quote.

Who qualifies? Eligibility & what lenders look for

We match established UK companies (limited companies, LLPs and registered property businesses) and project sponsors with lenders and brokers. We arrange leads for projects from around £10,000 upwards.

Common lender criteria include:

• Company and director credit histories and business trading record.
• Management or developer experience for complex builds.
• Project viability: cost breakdowns, contractor quotes, expected energy savings and EPC improvements where relevant.
• Planning permission and consents for development work (or clear path to consent).
• Security: freehold/leasehold property, personal guarantees in some cases.

Typical documents lenders request:

• Company accounts, management accounts and cashflow forecasts.
• Detailed project costs, contractor CVs, Gantt chart/timescale.
• Planning documents, lease details, tenancy schedules or anticipated sales values.

Complete our short enquiry so we can match to the most suitable providers: Start your free eligibility check.

Typical terms, LTVs, costs & timescales

All figures below are indicative — exact offers depend on lender underwriting and your project details.

Bridging finance (indicative)

• Term: days to 12–24 months.
• LTV: often 60–75% of current/anticipated value depending on lender and asset type.
• Rates: variable — can range from high single digits to mid/high teens (indicative only).
• Fees: arrangement fees (1–3% common), valuation/legal fees, exit fees sometimes applied.
• Speed: funds can be provided in days to a few weeks.

Commercial mortgages (indicative)

• Term: 5–25 years.
• LTV: typically up to 60–75% depending on property type, income and risk.
• Rates: lower than bridging; fixed or variable options available.
• Costs: standard mortgage fees, legal and valuation fees; preferential green terms may apply with some lenders.
• Speed: from 4–12 weeks depending on complexity and required surveys.

Green or sustainability-focused lenders may offer better rates or higher LTVs where projected energy savings and improved EPCs reduce long-term risk. Speak to matched lenders to obtain representative examples for your project.

Request tailored quotes.

How UK Business Loans helps — the process

We make the introduction and comparison process simple:

1. Complete a short enquiry (about 2 minutes): basic business details, loan amount, project type and postcode.
2. We match you to specialist lenders and brokers with relevant experience in retrofit or development.
3. Matched providers contact you to discuss options, request detailed documents and provide quotes.
4. Compare offers, choose a provider and progress to formal application. We do not complete applications on your behalf — providers will.

Typical response times: initial matches and first contact often within hours during business days. Bridging decisions can be quick; commercial mortgages involve surveys and underwriting and take longer.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Real-world examples & use-cases

Example A — Retail chain retrofit

Situation: a regional retailer wanted rooftop solar + EV chargers across multiple branches. Solution: short-term bridging to fund installations, then refinance into a longer-term green commercial loan linked to energy savings. How we helped: matched them to a specialist sustainability broker to combine grant funding and lender finance.

Example B — Buy, develop and green fit-out

Situation: developer bought a brownfield commercial site requiring immediate purchase funds plus staged development finance. Solution: bridging to acquire plot, staged development finance, and long-term mortgage on completion. How we helped: introduced lender experienced in modular low-carbon developments.

Example C — Social housing retrofit

Situation: housing association required capital for EPC upgrades across its stock. Solution: combination of sustainability loan and grant funding, structured repayment from energy performance improvements. How we helped: matched specialist lender able to blend grant and loan funding.

Want help on a similar project? Get a free quote.

Compliance, privacy & transparency

We are an introducer — we do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. This page is for information only. Lenders or brokers you are introduced to will assess your eligibility and may carry out credit searches as part of their process.

By submitting our enquiry form you consent to your details being shared with selected lenders and brokers for the purpose of providing quotes. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Frequently asked questions

Do you provide commercial mortgages or bridging finance for retrofit and development projects?

We don’t lend directly. We match your business to lenders and brokers who offer commercial mortgages and bridging loans for retrofit and development. Complete our short form to get matched and receive quotes.

Can I get bridging finance for a retrofit before planning permission is granted?

Some lenders will consider short-term bridging prior to full planning if the purchase is time-sensitive and there’s a credible exit plan. Most lenders prefer clear planning or a high chance of consent — full details vary by provider.

Our Business Finance Matching Process

Step 1

Complete Your Details

It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.

Step 2

We Match Your Business

With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.

Step 3

You Get Free Quote + Advice

You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.

It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry form does not affect your credit score. Matched lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks if you proceed with an application.

What paperwork will lenders want for retrofit/EPC projects?

Expect project quotes, contractor proposals, EPCs or energy models, cost schedules, company accounts and cashflow projections, planning consents and lease/titles where relevant.

How quickly can I get bridging funds?

Bridging lenders can provide funds in days to a few weeks depending on valuation, due diligence and legal work. Speed depends on property complexity and solicitor availability.

Do you work with specialist green lenders?

Yes — we can match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in sustainability, energy‑efficiency projects and development finance.

Can new developers or special-purpose companies apply?

Yes — many lenders will consider new vehicles provided there is an experienced development team, clear business plan and acceptable security. Talk to a matched broker to understand options.

Is your service free?

Yes. Our service is free to businesses. You are under no obligation to proceed after receiving quotes.

Ready to get started?

If you need commercial mortgages or bridging finance for retrofit or development projects, we can connect you to the specialist lenders and brokers best suited to your needs. Complete a short enquiry (about 2 minutes) and receive tailored matches and fast quotes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

1. Do you provide commercial mortgages or bridging finance for retrofit and development projects? — We don’t lend directly; we match your limited company, LLP or property business with specialist lenders and brokers who offer commercial mortgages, bridging finance and sustainability loans for retrofit and development projects.

2. How quickly can I get bridging finance for a retrofit or site purchase? — Bridging finance can be provided in days to a few weeks depending on valuation, solicitor availability and due diligence, and our free enquiry helps you get matched fast.

3. What’s the difference between bridging finance, commercial mortgages and sustainability loans? — Bridging is short-term and fast with higher rates, commercial mortgages are long-term (5–25 years) with lower rates, and sustainability/green products may offer preferential terms for energy‑efficiency projects.

4. Who qualifies for sustainability loans, commercial mortgages or bridging finance? — Established UK businesses (limited companies, LLPs and registered property businesses) and project sponsors can apply for £10,000+ projects provided they meet lender criteria such as credit history, management experience, project viability and acceptable security.

5. Will submitting a free eligibility check or enquiry affect my credit score? — No — completing our short enquiry form is not a formal application and will not affect your credit score, though matched lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks if you proceed.

6. What paperwork do lenders typically require for retrofit, EPC or development finance? — Expect to provide company accounts, management accounts/cashflow forecasts, detailed project costs and contractor quotes, EPCs or energy models, planning documents and title/lease details.

7. Can I get finance before planning permission is granted? — Some bridging lenders may lend pre‑planning for time‑sensitive purchases where there’s a credible exit plan, but most lenders prefer planning consent or a high chance of approval.

8. Do you work with specialist green lenders and can green projects get better terms? — Yes — we match you to sustainability‑focused lenders and brokers, and some will offer improved rates, higher LTVs or blended grant/loan structures where energy savings and EPC improvements reduce risk.

9. How much can I borrow and what LTVs and rates should I expect for retrofit or development finance? — Typical deals start at around £10,000 up to multi‑million sums, with LTVs often 60–75% depending on asset and lender, bridging rates higher (high single digits to mid/high teens) and commercial mortgage rates lower with fixed or variable options.

10. How do I start and is the service free? — Start by completing our quick, free eligibility check (about 2 minutes) — it’s only an introducer form (not an application), we’ll match you to suitable lenders/brokers and you’re under no obligation to proceed.