Use case

Funding accessibility upgrades: how to size it and what to watch.

Ramps, washrooms and entrances open the business to more customers.

✓ Checking what you qualify for does not affect your credit score.

How should a business fund accessibility upgrades?

Short answer: Get quotes for the specific work, such as ramps, automatic doors or an accessible washroom, check for municipal or provincial programs that share the cost, then size any funding to the remaining amount and a modest buffer. Plan the work for a quieter period so construction does not cut into the busiest months.

Key facts

Price the specific work with quotes
Check for programs that share cost
Fund only the gap programs leave
Schedule work for a quiet period

What this looks like

Ramps, washrooms and entrances open the business to more customers.

Accessibility upgrades may be required by provincial standards or chosen to serve more customers.

How to size it

Fund the work with quotes, net of any program support.

Illustrative arithmetic

A retail store depositing about $50,000 a month asks for $15,000 for an accessible entrance. At a 1.24 factor the payback is $18,600, a cost of $3,600. Over roughly 5 months that is about $177 per business day, or close to 7% of monthly deposits.

Total payback: $18,600.
Cost: $3,600.
Payment: about $177 per business day, close to 7% of monthly deposits.

Every figure on this page is illustrative arithmetic in Canadian dollars. It is not an offer, a quote or a promise of approval.

Which structure tends to fit

Check for government programs first; short-term funding can bridge.

Where it goes wrong

Permits
Overruns
Missing program funding

Before you apply

Check provincial standards
Look for programs
Get quotes

Typical starting points

Monthly revenueTypically from around $20,000 a month in deposits for Canadian files. The exact line varies by funder and by file.

Time in businessTypically about 12 months. Newer businesses can be reviewed, but the options narrow.

Account healthLimited low-balance or negative days. Funders read the last few months of bank statements for this.

CreditScores from 500 are considered. A score of 600 or higher opens more options and better offers.

DocumentsA signed application and recent business bank statements, typically the last four months.

Existing advancesFiles with an existing advance can be reviewed, including second position.

Look for support first

Some federal and provincial programs have supported accessibility projects; check current availability.

Before you commit

Accessibility standards differ by province, and Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have their own accessibility legislation. Check the requirements that apply to your business, and consider improvements that serve customers beyond the minimum, such as automatic doors and clear signage.

Talk it through

Merchant Fund Express reviews Canadian businesses in every province and territory. If you would like a specific answer for your business rather than general guidance, send a signed application and your last four months of business bank statements, or call (305) 384-8391 first to ask a question.

Sources and review

BDC: Articles and tools for entrepreneurs

Reviewed by the Merchant Fund Express team on October 12, 2026. Official pages checked as of that date.

Common questions

How much should I ask for?

Ask for the amount you can name in dollars and tie to a quote, invoice or schedule. A smaller, specific request is easier to approve and cheaper to repay.

Which structure is best?

It depends on whether the need is a one-time purchase or a recurring gap. See the comparison pages for the trade-offs.

How fast can I get it?

Decisions are often the same day on a complete file, and funding can follow the next business day.