Merchant Fund Express
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Can contractors get business loans with uneven income?

Yes. Revenue-based funding averages deposits across months, which suits project-based income; show contracts or pending draws to support larger amounts.

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Construction

Business loans for contractors with uneven income

Uneven income is normal in construction, and funders that work with contractors expect it. What they want to see is that the ups and downs follow a pattern and that the business stays solvent through the slow stretches.

As fast as
24 hours

Amount to request

$85,000.00

Funding range$25K to $5M

*Sample amounts shown. Your actual offer depends on your business and is reviewed before approval.

Why owners use Merchant Fund Express

Buyouts up to $100K

Existing balances of $100,000 or less can be bought out.

Multiple funders, one application

Your file goes to funders that fit it, so offers can be compared.

Same-day decisions

A person reviews your revenue, time in business and bank activity, often within hours.

Real underwriters

A human reads the file, not just an algorithm score.

Need capital this week?

Fast decisions. Applying takes about 5 minutes.

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How it works

Apply in minutes

A short application. A soft credit pull to start.

Fast decision

We review revenue, time in business and bank activity, not just a credit score.

Review your offer

You see the amount, the schedule and the full repayment amount before you sign.

Get funded

Funding in as little as 24 hours for qualified businesses.

How it actually works

Underwriters reviewing a contractor will usually look at more months of statements than they would for a steady retail business, often six or more, to see a full cycle. A roofing company with strong spring and summer deposits and a quiet winter can qualify if the annual pattern is clear and the account does not go negative during the slow months. What concerns underwriters is randomness: big deposits followed by long gaps with no explanation.

You can help by explaining the pattern. Note when large draws or final payments arrive, which jobs are in progress and what contracts are signed for the coming months. A short list of current projects with expected payment dates often turns an uneven statement into a credible story. Signed contracts and approved pay applications are especially persuasive.

Match the product to the pattern. A line of credit drawn in slow months and repaid in busy ones is ideal if you qualify. Revenue-based funding can also work if the payment is sized for the slow months, not the average, or if the funder offers a percentage-based structure. Avoid taking a large fixed daily payment right before your quietest season.

Bank loans for contractors often require two years of returns, bonding history for larger contracts and sometimes collateral. Revenue-based options rely more on deposits and consider credit from 500, with better offers for stronger credit. MFE can show both kinds of offers when available.

A worked example

Here is an advance sized to a contractor slow-season deposits rather than the average. Illustrative numbers.

Amount funded$50,000
Factor rate1.40
Total payback (amount × factor)$70,000
Fees deducted at funding (4%)$2,000
Net cash you receive$48,000
Weekly payment over 32 weeks$2,188
Same total as daily debits (~160 business days)$438/day

Illustrative numbers only. Your offer depends on your file; always compare net cash and total payback in writing.

How underwriters read contractor income

Six or more months reviewedCaptures a full cycle
Clear seasonal patternAcceptable
Random large gapsConcerning without explanation
Signed contractsStrengthen the file
Positive balance in slow monthsKey approval factor

Who this fits — and who should wait

Good fit:

Probably not yet:

Related questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a business loan with seasonal construction income?

Yes, if the pattern is clear and the account stays positive through slow months.

How many months of statements do contractors need?

Often six or more, to show a full cycle.

Do signed contracts help?

Yes, they show upcoming revenue and can raise offer size.

Should payments be sized to the average month?

Better to size them to the slow months or use a percentage-based structure.

What credit is needed?

Revenue-based options begin at 500.

Are bank loans possible for contractors?

Yes, for contractors with two years of returns and strong credit; they take longer.

Payroll $25K
Inventory $60K
Equipment $90K
Expansion $150K

Example uses for illustration only.

How to improve your chances

Before you apply:

  • Provide six or more months of statements
  • List current and signed projects
  • Size payments to slow months
  • Avoid big debits before the off-season

Merchant Fund Express vs. a traditional bank

Merchant Fund Express
Traditional bank loans
Decision time
Same day
Weeks
Credit to apply
500 minimum
Usually much stronger credit
Collateral
Not required for most offers
Often required
Documents
Bank statements and ID
Tax returns, financials, plans
Offers
Multiple funders, compare
One lender

See what your business qualifies for

One secure application. A soft credit pull to start. No obligation to accept an offer.

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