Use of funds
Get written bids from licensed contractors and add a contingency of 10 to 15%.
✓ Checking what you qualify for does not affect your credit score.
At Merchant Fund Express, we start from what the money is for, because the use decides the amount, the structure and the timing.
A lease with a small or no improvement allowance leaves the tenant paying for walls, floors, plumbing and fixtures, usually before opening.
A funder reading a request like this looks at the business, not just the purpose: deposits and their consistency, average daily balance, negative days and any open advances. A clear, specific use with a defined amount reads better than a general request.
Get written bids from licensed contractors and add a contingency of 10 to 15%. Check what the lease says about who owns the improvements at the end.
An illustration. These are illustrative figures to show the arithmetic, not an offer.
| Item | Illustration |
|---|---|
| Contractor bids | $46,000 |
| Contingency at 12% | $5,520 |
| Total | $51,520 |
The cheapest structure is usually the one that is outstanding for the fewest days. Fund the gap, not the whole year, and prefer a schedule you can see before you sign.
A fixed weekly schedule matched to the build-out. See the page →
For smaller improvements. See the page →
Spending heavily on improvements you cannot take with you and a lease that is short.
Sole proprietors can apply. The minimum FICO is 500, and the better your credit, the better your offer. See the published requirements.
Yes. A short lease with large improvements is a risk you should price or negotiate before funding. Merchant Fund Express shows the exact amount, schedule and total cost in your offer before you sign.
A person reviews your revenue, time in business and bank activity, and a decision is typically same day. Approved files are usually funded the next business day.
No. Checking what you qualify for does not affect your credit score.
Apply with Merchant Fund Express: same-day decision, and applying takes a few minutes without affecting your credit score.
