BuildLoan has confirmed the launch of a commercial finance proposition following the completion of a successful pilot over the first quarter of the year.
The renovation finance provider says the commercial finance pilot, which ran in Q1, was designed to test demand, processes and broker engagement, alongside continued expansion of its lender panel. The soft launch helped BuildLoan refine its service standards and distribution model ahead of a full market introduction.
Feedback from intermediary partners during the trial period indicated strong appetite for a specialist commercial offering supported by BuildLoan’s established expertise in development finance, bridging and renovation mortgages and self build cases.
The newly launched commercial finance offering is now available to intermediaries nationwide and is intended to support a broad spectrum of commercial property transactions, including owner-occupied premises, investment assets and mixed-use properties. The proposition is positioned to complement BuildLoan’s existing development finance and specialist lending capabilities, enabling brokers to access a wider set of funding solutions through a single relationship.
Raymond Connor, CEO at BuildLoan, said: “BuildLoan is already the UK’s leading provider of residential mortgages for self build, custom build, renovations and home improvements. We have created many unique, exclusive solutions-based mortgage products in our time and we have always prided ourselves on providing certainty and flexibility through unique mortgage solutions. But this is the first time we have ventured into the world of commercial mortgages.
“Following a successful pilot – which saw plenty of demand from specialist brokers for funding for office blocks, business premises and investment properties for business clients – we are now rolling this out on a permanent basis.
“The pilot allowed us to test the proposition in live conditions and make targeted improvements before committing to a full launch. The response from brokers was encouraging, both in terms of enquiry levels and the quality of cases submitted. That feedback has helped shape a proposition that is as practical, responsive and suited to the realities of the market as you would expect from BuildLoan. We are now going for a full-scale launch given the success of our pilot. We can do commercial lending, too.”
During the pilot, BuildLoan supported a range of commercial transactions, including a £223,000 loan with Allica Bridging Finance to fund the purchase of a business centre for renovation and long-term letting. The case demonstrates how brokers can access funding that supports both refurbishment works and long-term investment strategy through a single solution.
Scott McClymont, BDM at Allica Bridging Finance, commented: “This case highlights how brokers can help clients see the bigger picture with commercial property. By partnering with BuildLoan, we were able to keep the approach practical and get a deal in place that gave the client the confidence and clarity to press on with plans.”
BuildLoan also worked closely with a selected group of intermediary partners and lenders to assess lending criteria, turnaround times and case complexity during the pilot phase. The business reports that insights gathered during this phase led to adjustments in areas such as documentation requirements and underwriting flexibility, with the aim of improving certainty and speed for brokers and borrowers.
Raymond Connor said: “Commercial lending often requires a pragmatic and informed approach, particularly where deals fall outside standard models. Our intention is to provide brokers with a dependable route for commercial cases that need careful assessment and tailored structuring. Moving from pilot to launch reflects our confidence in the proposition and the demand we are seeing across the market.”
The launch forms part of BuildLoan’s wider strategy to expand its footprint in specialist property finance and deepen relationships with intermediaries seeking solutions beyond conventional residential lending.
Brokers can now submit commercial mortgage, commercial bridging, commercial development and semi-commercial enquiries through BuildLoan’s Specialist Lending team with the firm confirming that dedicated support has been allocated to the product line to maintain service continuity as volumes increase.
