Finance my ground-up property development
I have a UK site or new-build scheme and need finance that can fund acquisition and release construction capital in agreed stages. Vortex compares eligible development providers and packages the case. I decide which structure fits and whether to proceed; the lender controls valuation, underwriting, monitoring conditions, releases and approval.
My development scheme
The facility should solve the day-one site position and release later capital in step with a supported build programme.
Vortex can compare eligible senior, stretched and layered routes. I choose the offer; the provider controls its own credit decision and drawdown conditions.
Ground-up development funding
A ground-up scheme creates a new building from a cleared or undeveloped site. It needs capital for the land or existing site debt, professional fees, construction, statutory costs, finance and contingency.
Build money normally arrives in agreed stages rather than one unrestricted advance. I need enough equity and working cash to meet the purchase, conditions and any gap before reimbursement.
Site and planning position
The site file should include title, purchase contract, planning decision, drawings, conditions, surveys, utilities and access. Planning, building control and lender approval remain separate decisions.
Pre-commencement conditions and obligations should appear in the programme and cash flow. A consented site is not automatically ready for first drawdown.
Build cost and contingency
The cost plan should separate main works, professional fees, utilities, statutory charges, contingency, sales costs and finance. It should reconcile with the specification and programme.
I need a supported plan for overruns, delay or contractor failure. A higher completed value does not pay invoices during construction.
Staged drawdowns
The first advance may contribute to acquisition or refinance site debt. Later releases can follow progress confirmed by a monitoring surveyor. The written offer states whether money is released in advance or after completed work.
I should compare the timing of invoices, equity injection, inspections and lender releases. That mechanism decides whether the facility supports the build cash flow.
Facility sizing
The lender can apply limits against site value, eligible project cost and supported completed value. The lowest applicable limit can set the usable facility.
Compare the day-one net advance, total commitment, retained interest, fees, equity requirement and release controls. A larger headline number may still leave a purchase or construction shortfall.
Professional team and experience
The provider reviews the developer, contractor, quantity surveyor, architect, engineer and other appointments against the actual scheme. Previous delivery is most useful when it is relevant to the scale and construction risk.
A first-time developer may still be considered where contribution, experience and team support the case. No team structure guarantees approval.
Underwriting and documents
Underwriting commonly covers identity, company structure, credit, source of equity, title, planning, appraisal, cost plan, cash flow, contingency, professional team, experience and exit.
Documents should use consistent values, dates and assumptions. Complete evidence helps the provider understand the risks but does not guarantee pricing, approval or release.
Development funding options
Senior debt may provide the base facility. Stretched senior or mezzanine can address a defined equity gap at a different cost and with additional conditions. A bridge may cover an earlier site transaction where the full development facility is not ready.
I should compare total pounds payable, required equity, control rights, covenants and drawdown mechanics, not only the nominal rate.
Exit strategy
The exit may be unit sales, block sale, long-term mortgage refinance or another supported facility. The lender tests values, sales timing, rent and the period needed to repay.
Model lower values, slower sales, higher costs and a delayed refinance. The original provider can assess the intended exit but cannot bind a later buyer or mortgage provider.
Vortex development finance broker
Vortex is a property finance broker, not a lender. It can compare eligible development routes, explain the evidence, package the selected application and coordinate valuation, legal, monitoring and credit work.
I choose whether to proceed. The provider approves and advances funds after its conditions are satisfied.
Financing a ground-up development
Can the facility cover construction costs?+
Do I need planning permission?+
Can a first-time developer apply?+
What should I send Vortex?+
Ground-up development finance guide
Review the detailed facility, underwriting, drawdown and exit route.
Read the finance route ›Development finance requirements
Prepare the scheme, borrower, equity, team and document evidence.
Read the finance route ›Development finance calculator
Model indicative costs and staged balances before comparing providers.
Read the finance route ›Compare funding for my ground-up scheme
Share the site, planning position, purchase or current value, build costs, completed value, contribution, professional team, experience, programme and exit. Vortex will compare eligible routes before I decide whether to apply.
Compare my ground-up funding