Tractor and farm machinery finance spreads the cost of a machine over 2 to 7 years, with monthly, seasonal or annual payments that can follow when the farm is paid. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Farm machinery we finance

Lenders will fund most machinery used on a working farm, provided it comes from an identifiable seller and holds its resale value.

We regularly see machinery from manufacturers such as John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Fendt, Claas, Case IH, Kubota, Valtra, Deutz-Fahr and JCB.

Tractor finance

The tractor is the machine most farms finance first and replace most often, and it is one of the easiest farm assets to fund because the used market is deep.

• Hours matter as much as age. On a used tractor, lenders look at the hour meter as well as the year. A low-hours machine from a main dealer is the easiest to fund.
• Part exchange. An existing tractor often has strong trade-in value, which can cover the deposit on the next one. Any finance still owed is settled first.
• Loaders and guidance. A front loader, guidance system or front linkage can be funded with the tractor on the same agreement.
• Compact tractors. Smaller tractors for estates, smallholdings run as businesses and equestrian yards can be funded too. Agreements of £25,000 or less are only available to limited companies and LLPs through us.

Harvest and grass machinery

Combines, forage harvesters and balers work for a few weeks a year, so the cost has to be recovered from a short season. Lenders understand this, and many will time payments for after harvest or silage. For businesses that run this kit across many farms, see asset finance for agricultural contractors.

• Combines and headers. Usually the largest single purchase on an arable farm, often funded over 5 to 7 years when new.
• Balers and wrappers. Widely funded new and used, and often bought as a pair on one agreement.
• Specialist harvesters. Potato and beet harvesters have a narrower resale market, so lenders may want a larger deposit or a shorter term.

Seasonal and annual payments

Farm income arrives unevenly, after harvest, livestock sales or milk cheques, and many agricultural lenders will shape payments around it.

• Seasonal profiles. Higher payments in the months when the farm is paid, and lower or no payments in the quiet months.
• Quarterly, half-yearly or annual payments. Fewer, larger payments, usually timed for after harvest or a main sale.
• Deferred first payment. A gap of a few months before the first payment, so a machine bought in spring can earn before it starts costing.

Paying less often usually costs a little more interest overall, because the balance comes down more slowly.

What lenders look at on farm machinery finance

• Make and model. Machines from the main manufacturers have an active second-hand market in the UK and abroad, which helps the lender and can support a lower deposit.
• Age and hours. Lenders cap the machine’s age at the end of the agreement, so an older tractor or combine may get a shorter term.
• Where you buy it. Dealer sales are the simplest to fund. Farm sales, auctions and private purchases are possible but usually need an inspection and proof of ownership.
• Farm income. Lenders understand that farm profits vary with prices and the weather, and look at several years of trading rather than one result.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease compared

Hire purchase suits machinery you will keep for years. A lease suits you better if you want to spread the VAT or replace machines on a set cycle. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for farm machinery

Hire purchase is the most common way to finance farm machinery. You pay a deposit, usually around 10% plus the VAT, or use a part exchange, then fixed payments. Ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax, the farm may be able to claim capital allowances on the machine.

Finance lease for farm machinery

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the machine throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for farm machinery

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the machine is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It is most common on new tractors, with an agreed annual hours limit. At the end you hand the machine back, extend the lease or upgrade. Excess hours or damage may be charged.

Used tractor finance costs: a worked example

A £65,000 used 150hp tractor with a front loader costs about £1,860 a month on a 3-year hire purchase, or about £1,456 a month over 4 years.

The 4-year term lowers the monthly payment by about £405 but adds around £2,907 of interest. Used machines are usually offered shorter terms than new ones, and a part exchange can replace the cash deposit.

VAT and tax on farm machinery finance

Tax depends on your circumstances, so check the treatment with your accountant.

What lenders ask for

Most farm machinery finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote or invoice from the seller, showing the make, model, serial number, year and hours if used
• Details of any part exchange and any finance still owed on it
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements

Tractor and farm machinery finance FAQs

Get a tractor or farm machinery finance quote

Site accommodation and staff housing finance spreads the cost of worker accommodation over 3 to 7 years, so farms, hotels, holiday parks and contractors can house staff without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Staff accommodation units we finance

Each type of unit is covered in its own section below. A mix of bedrooms, kitchens and wash units for one site can go on one agreement. For site offices, welfare units and toilets used during the working day, see our portable cabin and modular building finance guide.

Staff caravan and lodge finance

Static caravans are the most common way to house seasonal staff in the UK. They are quick to site, widely available used, and easy to sell on.

• Specification. Units used for long stays or through winter need proper heating, insulation and double glazing. Caravans built to the BS 3632 residential standard are designed for year-round living.
• Used units. Refurbished caravans are a common, lower-cost choice. Lenders look at age and condition against the term.
• Siting. Delivery, positioning, connections, steps and furniture can often be partly included alongside the units.

Modular accommodation unit finance

Modular accommodation units are factory-built rooms or apartments that are delivered to site and joined or stacked into a block. They suit larger numbers of staff over longer periods.

• What is covered. En-suite bedroom modules, multi-bedroom units, stairs and walkways supplied with the modules, and fitted furniture.
• Relocatable or permanent. Asset finance suits units that can be lifted out and moved. A block built on permanent foundations becomes part of the property and is usually funded with a commercial mortgage, which we can also arrange.
• Groundworks. Bases, drainage and utility runs are usually only partly fundable, so expect to cover some of the site preparation yourself.

Sleeper cabin finance for site teams

Sleeper cabins are steel or anti-vandal units fitted out as bedrooms, used where crews work far from home or hotels are scarce.

• Where they are used. Remote infrastructure, energy, rail and civil engineering projects, and contractors working long shifts.
• Moving between projects. Owned sleeper units can move from job to job, so lenders look at the pipeline of work rather than one project alone.
• Buy or hire. For a single short project, hiring may cost less. Buying on finance makes more sense when units will be used across several jobs.

Kitchen, laundry and amenity unit finance

Where several staff live on one site, shared units are often needed alongside the bedrooms.

• What is covered. Kitchen and dining units, shower and toilet blocks, laundry units, drying rooms and recreation units.
• One agreement. Amenity units are usually funded on the same agreement as the bedrooms, which helps reach lender minimums.
• Equipment inside. Washing machines, dryers and kitchen equipment can be included. For larger laundries, see our laundry equipment finance guide.

Staff accommodation finance for farms and growers

Fruit, vegetable, flower and dairy businesses often need to house seasonal or permanent workers on the farm.

• Seasonal payments. Growers with a harvest-time income can sometimes have payments weighted towards the months cash comes in.
• Standards and audits. Growers supplying retailers often have worker accommodation checked in ethical audits. Better units can help you meet those standards.
• Planning and licensing. Check with your local authority what planning permission and site licensing the units need. Lenders will ask.
• With other farm kit. Accommodation can be funded alongside other farm equipment, such as handling and packing equipment, where that suits the lender.

Staff accommodation for hotels, holiday parks and resorts

Hotels, holiday parks and resorts in rural and coastal areas often struggle to recruit unless they can offer somewhere to live.

• Recruitment and retention. On-site accommodation can widen the pool of staff you can hire, especially for the summer season.
• Separate from guest units. Staff units are funded on their own agreement from any units let to guests. For holiday letting units, see our holiday park caravan and lodge finance guide.
• Planning conditions. Holiday parks often have planning conditions on how units can be used, so check that staff occupation is allowed.
• The rest of the hotel. Kitchens, laundries, refits and spa equipment can be funded too. See our guide to asset finance for hotels and resorts.

Site accommodation for contractors and remote projects

Contractors on remote or long-running projects can house crews on or near site rather than paying for hotels every night.

• Cost comparison. Compare the finance payment with the hotel and travel bill it replaces, including lost working time.
• Project length. Lenders look at how long the units will be needed and where they go next. A pipeline of work helps.
• With other site kit. Welfare units, site offices and plant can be funded alongside. See our civil engineering finance guide.

What lenders look at for staff accommodation

Because the units sit on land and people live in them, lenders check a few things they would not for other equipment.

• Land. Whether you own or lease the land, and for how long. A lease shorter than the finance term can be a problem.
• Planning and licensing. That the units have the permissions they need to be used for housing staff.
• Movability. That the units can be removed and resold if needed. This is what makes them suitable for asset finance.
• Your business. Trading history, accounts and bank statements, as with any asset finance.

Leasing and hire purchase compared

Hire purchase is the usual choice for units you will keep for years. Leasing suits units needed for a set period. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Staff accommodation finance costs: a worked example

A grower buying four new staff units, with a kitchen and shower block, at £128,000 including delivery pays about £2,867 a month on a 4-year hire purchase, or about £2,391 a month over 5 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £475 but adds around £5,877 of interest. Compare the payment with what you spend now on housing or recruiting staff.

VAT and tax on staff accommodation finance

Caravans built to the BS 3632 residential standard can be zero-rated for VAT, while many modular units and sleeper cabins are standard-rated. Confirm the treatment with the supplier and your accountant.

Providing accommodation to staff can have payroll and benefit-in-kind consequences, and if you charge staff for it, the national minimum wage accommodation offset limits how much can count towards their pay. Check both with your accountant before setting rents.

What lenders ask for

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote for each unit showing the make, model, year, serial number and delivery and siting costs
• Details of the land, including any lease, and the planning or site licence for the units
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner

Staff accommodation finance FAQs

Get a staff accommodation finance quote

Holiday park finance spreads the cost of new or pre-owned static caravans and lodges over 3 to 7 years, so a caravan park operator can refresh a hire fleet, add lodges or open a glamping field without tying up working capital. We arrange hire purchase, refinance and static caravan leasing. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Who holiday caravan and lodge finance is for

Lenders fund holiday units that earn income from guests. That usually means one of three types of business.

• Park operators buying units for their own hire fleet, or refreshing older stock.
• Letting businesses that own caravans or lodges on someone else’s park and let them to holidaymakers.
• Farms, estates and glamping sites adding pods, huts or lodges, often as a diversification project.

If you are buying a unit to use as your own holiday home, even if you let it occasionally, the finance is usually treated as personal borrowing. That is not something we can arrange.

Holiday units we finance

Each type of unit is covered in its own section below. A mix of units, plus the siting work, can go on one agreement.

Static caravan finance for holiday letting

Static caravans make up most hire fleets on UK holiday parks. Lenders understand them well because there is an established market for pre-owned units.

• New and pre-owned. Both can be funded. For older units, lenders usually want the finance to end well before the unit reaches the age at which the park would expect it to be replaced.
• Siting costs. Delivery, craning, positioning, gas, water, drainage and electrical connections, skirting and steps can often be partly included alongside the caravan.
• Decking and extras. Decking, furniture packs and hot tubs that come with the unit can sometimes be added, though lenders fund the caravan itself most readily.
• Specification. Holiday caravans built for year-round letting, with central heating and double glazing, can support higher occupancy and longer letting seasons.

We regularly see units from Willerby, Pemberton, Atlas, Victory, Prestige and Omar.

Holiday lodge finance

Holiday lodges are larger, higher-specification units, usually twin-unit or timber-clad, that command higher nightly rates than standard caravans.

• Longer terms. Because lodges cost more and last longer, terms of 5 to 7 years are common, and sometimes longer for high-specification units.
• Hot tub lodges. Hot tubs, decking and outdoor kitchens that boost booking rates can be included with the lodge.
• Movable units only. Asset finance works for lodges that can legally be moved as caravans. A lodge built as a permanent structure on foundations is property, and is usually funded with a commercial mortgage instead.

Glamping pod, shepherd hut and safari tent finance

Glamping units are a popular way for farms, estates and campsites to add higher-value accommodation without the cost of a full lodge park.

• What is covered. Insulated pods, shepherd huts, safari tents, yurts, cabins and the wash blocks that serve them.
• Bundling. Several pods or huts, plus wash and kitchen units, can go on one agreement to reach lender minimums.
• Planning. Lenders want to see that the site has the planning permission and licensing it needs before units arrive.
• New sites. A new glamping business without trading history may need a stronger application, such as an established farm business behind it, a larger deposit or a director’s guarantee.

Finance for holiday park operators

Park operators often fund a hire fleet in stages, adding or replacing units each season.

• Fleet refresh. Replacing older hire units in batches, with serial numbers listed on each agreement, keeps payments in line with what each unit earns.
• Booking data. Occupancy and average nightly rates from your booking system help lenders see how new units will pay for themselves.
• Seasonal payments. Parks that close for part of the year can sometimes have payments weighted towards the open season.
• Refinancing. Units you already own outright can sometimes be refinanced to release cash for new stock or park improvements.
• Site licence and planning. Lenders check the park has a valid site licence and planning consent covering the number and type of units.

New pitches, roads, utilities and buildings are part of the land, not movable assets. They are usually funded with a commercial mortgage or development finance, which we arrange through our main site, Bolton Business Finance. Park equipment such as grounds care machinery and guest laundries can be funded alongside the units; see our laundry equipment finance guide.

Finance for caravan and lodge letting businesses

Some businesses own units on a park run by someone else and let them to holidaymakers. Lenders can fund this, but they look closely at the arrangement with the park.

• Letting must be allowed. Many parks do not allow private letting, or only allow it through their own letting scheme. Check the pitch licence agreement before you buy.
• Pitch agreement length. Lenders want the pitch licence to run at least as long as the finance.
• Pitch fees. Annual pitch fees, rates and utilities come on top of the finance payment, so include them when working out what a unit will earn.
• Business structure. We can help limited companies and LLPs at any size, and sole traders and partnerships on agreements over £25,000.

Leasing and hire purchase compared

Hire purchase is the most common choice, because most parks and letting businesses want to own their units and sell them on later. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for static caravans and lodges

You pay a deposit, usually 10%, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the unit.

Finance lease for static caravans and lodges

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and any VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the unit throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for static caravans and lodges

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the unit is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It is less common for holiday units, but can suit larger operators that replace hire stock on a fixed cycle.

Holiday caravan finance costs: a worked example

A park adding four new hire caravans at £180,000 including siting pays about £3,363 a month on a 5-year hire purchase, or about £2,606 a month over 7 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £756 but adds around £17,169 of interest. Compare the payment with what the units will earn across a season, after pitch costs and running costs.

VAT and tax on holiday caravan and lodge finance

VAT on caravans depends on how they are built. Units built to the BS 3632 residential standard can be zero-rated, while most holiday-specification caravans and lodges are standard-rated. Glamping pods and huts are usually standard-rated. Confirm the treatment with the supplier and your accountant.

Holiday letting businesses have their own tax rules. Ask your accountant how financed units fit with yours.

What lenders ask for

Most holiday caravan and lodge finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote for each unit showing the make, model, year, serial number and siting costs
• For park operators, the site licence and planning consent. For letting businesses, the pitch licence agreement
• Occupancy and booking figures, or a booking forecast for new sites
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner

Holiday caravan and lodge finance FAQs

Get a holiday caravan and lodge finance quote

Audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, so you can take on bigger productions, grow a rental fleet or refit a studio without tying up working capital. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Audio-visual and broadcast equipment we finance

Each main type of equipment is covered in its own section below. A whole studio or production package can go on one agreement.

TV and video camera finance

Cameras are usually the most expensive single item in a production business, and they date fastest.

• What is covered. Cinema and broadcast cameras, camcorders, lenses, monitors, wireless video, gimbals, drones and camera support.
• Bodies and lenses. Camera bodies are often replaced every few years, while good lenses can last much longer. Some businesses fund lenses on a longer term than the bodies.
• Used kit. Used cinema lenses and cameras from established dealers can be funded, because they resell well.
• Insurance. Camera kit travels and is a theft target. Lenders expect all-risks cover, often noting their interest, and may need to be told if kit goes abroad.

We regularly see cameras and lenses from Sony, Canon, ARRI, RED, Blackmagic Design and Panasonic.

Recording studio equipment finance

Recording studios can finance the consoles, microphones and monitoring that set them apart.

• What is covered. Mixing consoles and control surfaces, microphones, preamps, outboard equipment, audio interfaces, studio monitors and recording computers.
• Studio build. Acoustic treatment and wiring can sometimes be partly included alongside the equipment. Building work to the room itself usually is not.
• Value. Quality consoles, microphones and outboard often hold their value well, which helps on used equipment and longer terms.
• Podcast and voiceover studios. Smaller set-ups can be funded together with cameras and lighting for video podcasts.

We regularly see studio equipment from Solid State Logic, Neve, Avid, Neumann, Universal Audio and Genelec.

Sound and vision editing equipment finance

Editing suites combine powerful computers, accurate monitoring and fast storage, and need regular upgrading.

• What is covered. Edit workstations, colour grading panels, reference monitors, audio post-production and dubbing equipment, shared storage and backup.
• Software. Perpetual licences bought with the hardware can usually be included. Monthly subscriptions are normally paid separately.
• Shorter terms. Computers in editing suites date quickly, so 2 to 3 year terms are common, matched to how often you upgrade.

For shared storage, servers and backup on their own, see our IT equipment finance guide.

Broadcast and streaming system finance

Broadcast and streaming systems are used by TV and radio stations, outside broadcast firms, sports clubs, churches, venues and corporate studios.

• What is covered. Vision mixers and switchers, routers, replay systems, graphics systems, encoders, radio studio desks, intercoms and streaming equipment.
• Studio and gallery refits. A full gallery or radio studio refit, including installation and cabling, can be funded as one project.
• Outside broadcast. Equipment for OB trucks and flight cases can be funded, and the vehicle can go on a separate agreement. See our haulage finance guide for trucks.

Production lighting and LED screen finance

Lighting and LED screens are often owned by hire companies and venues, and earn their keep over many years.

• What is covered. LED and moving-head lighting, lighting desks, dimmers, rigging, LED video walls, projectors and media servers.
• Virtual production. LED volumes, camera tracking and media servers for virtual production stages can be funded as one project.
• Venues. Theatres, concert venues and conference centres can fund lighting, sound and screen upgrades together.

We regularly see lighting and screens from ARRI, Aputure, Litepanels, ROE Visual and Absen.

Finance for kit rental companies

Camera, audio, lighting and screen hire companies earn directly from their kit, which lenders understand well.

• Batch funding. New stock can be added in batches, with serial numbers listed on each agreement.
• Utilisation. Booking records showing how often kit goes out help lenders see how new stock will pay for itself.
• Refinancing. Kit you already own outright can sometimes be refinanced to release cash for new stock.

Leasing and hire purchase compared

Hire purchase suits kit you will keep and hire out. Leasing suits computers and cameras you will upgrade on a cycle. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for audio-visual equipment

You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the equipment.

Finance lease for audio-visual equipment

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the equipment throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for audio-visual equipment

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the equipment is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits cameras and editing computers you plan to replace on a set cycle. At the end you hand them back, extend the lease or upgrade.

Audio-visual equipment finance costs: a worked example

An £80,000 camera package, with two cinema cameras, a lens set, monitors and wireless video, costs about £2,290 a month on a 3-year hire purchase, or about £1,792 a month over 4 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £498 but adds around £3,578 of interest. For a rental company, compare the payment with the hire income the package brings in each month.

VAT and tax on audio-visual equipment finance

Productions claiming creative industry tax reliefs should check with their accountant how financed equipment is treated in their claim.

What lenders ask for

Most audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote or invoice listing each item with serial numbers where possible
• Details of upcoming contracts, commissions or hire bookings, especially if income comes project by project
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner

Audio-visual equipment finance FAQs

Get an audio-visual equipment finance quote

Print and imaging equipment finance spreads the cost over 3 to 5 years, so you can upgrade an office print fleet, add a wide-format printer or refit a photo lab without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Print and imaging equipment we finance

Each main type of equipment is covered in its own section below. Commercial printers buying presses and finishing equipment should see our printing press finance guide instead.

Office printer and copier finance

Office printers and multifunction devices, which print, copy and scan, are among the most commonly leased equipment in the UK. Most are supplied by a dealer on a lease, with a separate service contract.

• Lease and service are separate. The lease pays for the machine. The service contract, usually charged per page printed, covers toner, parts and engineer visits. Check both before you sign.
• Typical terms. Office print leases commonly run for 3 to 5 years. A longer term lowers the payment but ties you in for longer.
• Upgrades during the term. Dealers often offer an upgrade before a lease ends by settling the old lease into a new one. That can be useful, but check how much of the old balance is being added to the new agreement.
• Whole fleets. Several devices across different sites, plus print management software, can be funded on one agreement.
• Production print rooms. Higher-volume colour devices for in-house print rooms and reprographics can also be funded this way.

We regularly see devices from Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Xerox, Kyocera, Sharp and HP.

Wide-format printer and plotter finance

Wide-format printers produce plans, posters, banners, signs, vehicle graphics and canvas prints. For sign makers and print shops, they are the main earning equipment.

• Technical plotters. CAD and GIS plotters for architects, engineers and surveyors, often with an integrated scanner.
• Graphics and signage printers. Eco-solvent, latex, UV and dye-sublimation printers for signs, displays, textiles and wraps.
• Print and cut. The printer, vinyl cutter, flatbed cutter, laminator and RIP software can go on one agreement as a complete set-up.
• Used equipment. Used printers from established dealers can be funded, usually on shorter terms.

We regularly see wide-format equipment from HP, Canon, Epson, Roland and Mimaki.

Desktop publishing system finance

Desktop publishing systems are the computers, screens and software used to design and lay out printed and digital work, from brochures to books.

• What is covered. Design workstations, colour-accurate monitors, calibration tools, proofing printers and prepress servers.
• Software. Perpetual licences and workflow or RIP software bought with the hardware can usually be included. Monthly subscriptions, such as design software plans, are normally paid separately.
• Prepress for printers. Printers upgrading prepress alongside a press can fund both together. See our printing press finance guide.

For general office computers, servers and networking, see our IT equipment finance guide.

Photographic mini lab finance

Photographic mini labs print photos on site. Most are now dry labs using inkjet or dye-sublimation, which are smaller and cleaner than the older chemical labs.

• What is covered. Dry mini labs, order kiosks, dye-sublimation printers, photo book makers, cutters and the software that links them.
• Who buys them. Photo retailers, pharmacies, school and nursery photographers, event and sports photographers, and visitor attractions selling souvenir photos.
• Consumables. Paper and ink are an ongoing cost, so compare the cost per print alongside the finance payment.
• Seasonal trade. School and event photographers have busy seasons. Some lenders can match payments to those peaks.

We regularly see mini labs and printers from Fujifilm, Noritsu, Epson, DNP and Mitsubishi.

Photography studio equipment finance

Commercial, product and portrait studios can finance the cameras, lenses and lighting they earn from.

• What is covered. Professional camera bodies, lenses, studio flash and LED lighting, product photography tables, backgrounds and editing workstations.
• Resale value. Professional lenses and lighting hold their value well, which helps lenders, including on used equipment from established dealers.
• Video kit. Studios moving into video can fund cameras and lighting together. Production companies buying cinema cameras, recording and editing equipment should see our audio-visual and broadcast equipment finance guide.

Leasing and hire purchase compared

Leasing is the usual choice for office printers. Hire purchase suits equipment you will keep and earn from, such as a wide-format printer or mini lab. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for print and imaging equipment

You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the equipment.

Finance lease for print and imaging equipment

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the equipment throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for print and imaging equipment

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the equipment is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits office devices you plan to replace on a set cycle. At the end you hand them back, extend the lease or upgrade.

Print equipment finance costs: a worked example

A £55,000 sign shop set-up, with a wide-format printer, a cutter, a laminator and RIP software, costs about £1,574 a month on a 3-year hire purchase, or about £1,232 a month over 4 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £342 but adds around £2,460 of interest. Compare the payment with the jobs the new equipment lets you bring in house or take on.

VAT and tax on print and imaging equipment finance

Schools, charities and practices that cannot reclaim all their VAT often prefer a lease so the VAT is spread across the rentals. Check the treatment with your accountant.

What lenders ask for

Most print and imaging equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from the supplier showing the equipment, software, installation and any service contract separately
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements, including any print lease you want to settle

Print and imaging equipment finance FAQs

Get a print and imaging finance quote

IT equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, usually 3, so you can equip new staff, refresh an ageing estate or upgrade your data centre without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

IT equipment we finance

Lenders will fund most business IT, from a laptop refresh for a small office to a mainframe upgrade. Each main type of equipment is covered in its own section below.

Laptop finance

Laptops are the most common IT purchase for growing businesses. Because each one is a small amount, lenders usually fund them as a batch, such as a whole team or an office refresh, rather than one at a time.

• Match the term to the warranty. Most business laptops come with a 3-year warranty, so a 3-year lease means you hand back or replace machines as the warranty ends.
• Accessories and set-up. Docking stations, monitors, bags, device management software and configuration can usually go on the same agreement.
• Adding staff mid-term. Some lenders will add new laptops to an existing schedule, so a growing team stays on one agreement with one end date.
• The advantage of hire purchase. Hire purchase spreads the cost while the business owns the laptops at the end, which suits machines you plan to keep beyond the warranty.

We see laptops from Dell, Lenovo, HP, Apple and Microsoft Surface, plus business tablets and rugged devices for field teams.

Desktop PC and workstation finance

Desktop PCs usually last a little longer than laptops, so 3 to 4 year terms are common. High-end workstations hold more value and are often funded on their own.

• Office PCs. Desktop PCs, all-in-ones and monitors for offices, call centres and reception desks, usually funded as a batch.
• CAD and design workstations. Workstations for engineers, architects and designers, often with professional graphics cards and large monitors.
• GPU and AI workstations. Multi-GPU workstations for rendering, video and AI work can be expensive, and lenders fund them in the same way as other IT.

Server and file server finance

Servers run a business’s systems, files and applications. Many firms still keep servers on site or in a colocation data centre alongside cloud services.

• What is covered. Rack and tower servers, small office file servers, hyperconverged systems, GPU servers, racks, UPS units and cooling.
• Funding a refresh as one project. Servers, storage, switches, licences and installation for a full infrastructure refresh can go on one agreement.
• Refurbished servers. Refurbished enterprise servers from established resellers can be funded, often on shorter terms.

We regularly see servers from Dell, HPE, Lenovo and Cisco.

Mainframe finance

Mainframes still run core systems in banking, insurance, retail and government. They are large purchases, and leasing has long been the usual way to pay for them.

• Specialist lessors. Mainframes are usually funded through lessors who understand the hardware and the used market, rather than general equipment lenders.
• Operating leases. Because mainframes have an established resale market, operating leases are common, with lower rentals and the option to upgrade at the end.
• Capacity upgrades. Processor and memory upgrades during the term can often be added to the existing lease.
• Used systems. Used and refurbished mainframes from specialist dealers are funded, which suits firms running older software or adding backup capacity.

Most mainframe work today involves IBM Z systems and their storage.

Mid-range system finance

Mid-range systems sit between servers and mainframes. The best known is IBM Power running IBM i, the successor to the AS/400, still widely used in distribution, manufacturing, finance and insurance.

• Hardware refresh. Moving to a newer Power system to keep support and improve performance can be funded with the migration work.
• Disaster recovery. A second system for backup and recovery can be funded on the same agreement or separately.
• Leasing options. As with mainframes, operating leases are available through specialist lessors, as well as finance leases.

Networking equipment finance

Networking equipment connects everything else, and a new office, a site expansion or a security upgrade often means replacing it all at once.

• What is covered. Switches, routers, firewalls, Wi-Fi access points, SD-WAN devices and network racks.
• Cabling and installation. Structured cabling and installation stay in the building, so lenders usually fund them only as part of a larger project led by the hardware.
• Licences and support. Many network devices need subscription licences to work. These can often be included for the term of the agreement.

We regularly see networking equipment from Cisco, HPE Aruba, Juniper, Fortinet and Ubiquiti.

Disk storage finance (DASD, SAN and NAS)

Disk storage, once called DASD (direct access storage devices), now usually means storage arrays on a SAN or NAS. Data keeps growing, so storage is one of the most regular IT purchases.

• What is covered. All-flash and hybrid storage arrays, NAS appliances, SAN switches, expansion shelves and backup appliances.
• Adding capacity. Extra shelves and drives during the term can often be added to the existing agreement.
• Refresh cycles. Enterprise arrays have a resale market, so operating leases are available, which suits businesses that replace storage every few years.

We regularly see storage from Dell, NetApp, HPE, Pure Storage and Synology.

Magnetic tape storage finance

Magnetic tape is still widely used for backup and long-term archives. Per terabyte, tape remains one of the cheapest ways to keep large amounts of data for years, and a tape copy kept offline cannot be reached by ransomware.

• What is covered. LTO tape drives, autoloaders, tape libraries and the cartridges bought with them.
• Who buys it. Businesses with large archives, such as media and broadcast, healthcare, research, legal and financial services, and managed service providers.
• Cost per unit. The library is the main cost. Once it is installed, extra cartridges add capacity at a low cost, so the cost per terabyte falls as the archive grows.

We regularly see tape systems from IBM, Quantum, HPE and Spectra Logic.

Optical storage finance

Optical storage writes data to discs held in automated libraries. It is a niche choice, used where records must be kept for many years without being changed.

• What is covered. Optical disc archive libraries, drives, media and the management software that runs them.
• Who buys it. Regulated businesses, broadcasters and public bodies that need archives which cannot be overwritten.
• Cost per unit. As with tape, most of the cost is the library itself. Media costs per terabyte vary by format, so compare the full cost of each option over the life of the archive.
• Resale market. Optical systems have a small resale market, so lenders usually prefer hire purchase or a finance lease rather than an operating lease.

Scanner finance

Business scanners range from desktop document scanners to production machines that scan thousands of pages an hour. We arrange scanner finance and leasing UK-wide, including London, where scanning bureaus, law firms and records departments make up much of the demand.

• Production document scanners. High-volume scanners for scanning bureaus, mailrooms, records departments and digitisation projects.
• Wide-format scanners. Large-format scanners for engineering drawings, maps and plans.
• Software and capture. Capture and indexing software and set-up can usually be included with the scanners.
• Contract-led work. Scanning bureaus winning digitisation contracts can show the contract to support the application.

We regularly see scanners from Ricoh (formerly Fujitsu), Kodak Alaris, Canon and Epson. 3D scanners used for measurement and quality control are covered in our inspection and metrology equipment finance guide.

Software, installation and services

IT projects often include costs that are not hardware. Lenders call these soft costs, and they will fund them up to a limit as long as the hardware makes up most of the deal.

• Usually included. Software licences bought with the hardware, installation, configuration, data migration and support contracts for the term.
• Harder to fund on their own. Software-only deals and consultancy are possible with some lenders, but on different terms from hardware.
• Reseller quotes. A quote from an established IT reseller, listing hardware and services separately, makes approval quicker.

Leasing and hire purchase for IT compared

Leasing is the usual choice for IT, because equipment dates quickly and a lease makes it easier to upgrade. Hire purchase suits kit you plan to keep for its full life. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Contract hire for computers

Contract hire is a form of operating lease where the rental can include support, maintenance or replacement of faulty equipment. Some IT suppliers offer this as “device as a service”. It gives a single monthly cost, but compare the total with leasing the equipment and buying support separately.

What happens at the end of an IT lease

When equipment is returned under an operating lease, the lessor or its partner normally collects it, erases the data to a recognised standard and provides a certificate, and recycles anything with no resale value under the WEEE rules. Check what is included before you sign.

IT equipment finance costs: a worked example

A £90,000 infrastructure refresh, with three servers, a storage array, switches and installation, costs about £2,576 a month on a 3-year hire purchase, or about £2,016 a month over 4 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £560 but adds around £4,025 of interest. On a lease, VAT is added to each rental instead of being paid upfront, and the monthly cost depends on the residual value the lender sets.

VAT and tax on IT equipment finance

Businesses that cannot reclaim all their VAT, such as some financial services and healthcare firms, often prefer a lease so the VAT is spread across the rentals. Check the treatment with your accountant.

What lenders ask for

Most IT equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from your IT supplier, listing hardware, software and services separately
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements

IT equipment finance FAQs

Get an IT equipment finance quote

Car wash and vehicle cleaning equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, so you can open a new site, replace an ageing gantry or bring fleet washing in house without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Vehicle cleaning equipment we finance

Lenders will fund most car wash and vehicle cleaning equipment, from a single jet wash bay to a full tunnel site.

We regularly see equipment from makers such as WashTec, Christ, Istobal and Kärcher. If your business also repairs vehicles, see our body shop equipment finance guide.

Car wash sites and forecourts

A car wash earns its money from the number of washes it sells, and the equipment is fixed to one site, so lenders look closely at the location.

• The site lease. Many washes sit on forecourts or supermarket car parks under a lease or concession. Lenders check how long is left, and the finance term should not run past it.
• Wash counts. For an existing site, lenders look at washes per day and average price, often from the payment system. For a new site, a supplier’s projection helps, but your own trading history matters more.
• Water and drainage. Washes usually need trade effluent consent from the local water company. Water reclaim systems cut water bills and can help with consent.
• Civil works. Bases, drainage and interceptors stay on site if the equipment is removed, so lenders usually fund only a limited share of them. The gantry, tunnel and payment systems are funded in the normal way.
• Replacing a gantry. Upgrading an older machine on a site with a proven wash count is one of the simplest deals for lenders to approve.

Commercial vehicle and fleet washing

Haulage firms, bus and coach operators, waste contractors and van fleets often wash vehicles in their own depot rather than paying an outside wash.

• Savings case. Compare the finance payment with what you pay outside washes now, plus the driver time spent travelling to them.
• Depot installs. Truck and bus washes are usually installed at your own yard. Lenders check whether you own the depot or how long is left on its lease.
• Selling washes to others. Some depots sell washes to other operators. That extra income can support the application.

For the vehicles themselves, see our transport and haulage finance guides.

Valeting and detailing

Hand car washes, valeting centres, dealer prep departments and mobile valeters use smaller equipment, often bought as a package.

• Bundling equipment. Pressure washers, steam cleaners, extractors, polishers and water treatment can go on one agreement to reach lender minimums.
• Mobile valeting. Water tanks, pressure washers and generators fitted to a van can be funded, and the van can sometimes go on the same agreement.
• Dealer contracts. Valeting firms working under contract for dealerships or leasing companies can show those contracts to support the application.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease compared

Hire purchase suits equipment you will keep for years. A lease suits you better if you want to spread the VAT or keep upfront costs low. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for vehicle cleaning equipment

Hire purchase is the most common choice. You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the equipment.

Finance lease for vehicle cleaning equipment

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the equipment throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for vehicle cleaning equipment

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the equipment is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits sites that want to upgrade gantries on a regular cycle. At the end you hand it back, extend the lease or upgrade.

Car wash equipment finance costs: a worked example

A £135,000 rollover gantry with water reclaim and a payment system, including installation, costs about £3,024 a month on a 4-year hire purchase, or about £2,522 a month over 5 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £501 but adds around £6,199 of interest. Compare the payment with your expected washes per month and average price, after water, chemicals and electricity.

VAT and tax on car wash equipment finance

Civil works may be treated differently from the equipment for capital allowances, so check the treatment with your accountant before you choose.

What lenders ask for

Most car wash and vehicle cleaning equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from the supplier showing the equipment, installation and any civil works separately
• Your site lease or concession agreement, and wash count reports for an existing site
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements

Car wash equipment finance FAQs

Get a car wash equipment finance quote

Body shop equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, so you can replace an ageing booth, meet insurer or manufacturer approval standards, or add capacity without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Body shop equipment we finance

Lenders will fund most of the equipment in a modern accident repair centre, from the booth to the diagnostic kit.

We regularly see equipment from makers such as Blowtherm, Nova Verta, USI Italia, Garmat, Car-O-Liner and Celette. For welding, compressors and other workshop machinery used outside body repair, see our metal fabrication equipment finance guide.

Spray booths and paint shops

The spray booth is usually the biggest single purchase in a body shop, and how quickly cars move through it decides how much work the shop can take.

• Funding the full installation. The booth, burner, ducting, lighting, electrical work and installation can go on one agreement, so the whole project is funded together.
• Throughput and energy. Newer booths, curing systems and burners cut drying times and gas bills. Showing the extra jobs a week or the energy saving helps show the new payments are affordable.
• Refurbished booths. Booths from established makers are long-lived, so refurbished units moved and reinstalled by a dealer are widely funded.
• Paint supplier deals. Some paint distributors offer equipment as part of a supply agreement. Funding the equipment separately keeps you free to change paint supplier, so it is worth comparing both.
• Permits. Larger paint shops may need an environmental permit for solvent emissions from the local authority. Lenders like to see the booth fits within your permit.

Structural repair, approvals and ADAS

Insurer work and manufacturer approvals increasingly depend on having the right repair and calibration equipment.

• Manufacturer approvals. Approval schemes often require specific jigs, welders and aluminium repair bays. If the equipment is needed to win or keep an approval, lenders will take the extra work into account.
• Insurer and fleet work. Approved repairer agreements bring steady volume. Lenders look at how much of your work comes from insurers, fleets and retail customers.
• ADAS calibration. Cameras and radar in modern cars need calibrating after many repairs. Bringing calibration in house saves sending cars out and adds a chargeable service.
• Electric vehicles. EV repair can need insulated tools, quarantine areas and battery handling equipment, which can be funded alongside the rest of the shop.

Industrial paint spraying

Paint spraying equipment is not only used on cars. Commercial vehicle and plant refinishers, trailer builders and rail and marine painters use larger booths and the same finance options.

Manufacturers spraying their own products are covered in our other guides. Powder coating lines and industrial finishing are in the metal fabrication equipment finance guide, and spray booths for furniture and joinery are in the woodworking machinery finance guide.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease compared

Hire purchase suits equipment you will keep for years, such as a booth or jig. A lease suits you better if you want to spread the VAT or keep upfront costs low. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for paint spraying machines

Hire purchase is the most common choice. You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the equipment.

Finance lease for paint spraying machines

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the equipment throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using it for a low secondary rent, or sell it on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for paint spraying machines

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the equipment is expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits equipment that dates quickly, such as calibration and diagnostic systems. At the end you hand it back, extend the lease or upgrade.

Body shop equipment finance costs: a worked example

A £65,000 combination spray booth, including the burner, ducting and installation, costs about £1,456 a month on a 4-year hire purchase, or about £1,214 a month over 5 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £241 but adds around £2,985 of interest. Compare the payment with the extra paint jobs a faster booth lets you complete each week.

VAT and tax on body shop equipment finance

Check the treatment for your business with your accountant before you choose.

What lenders ask for

Most body shop equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from the supplier showing the equipment, installation and any building or electrical work separately
• A summary of your work mix, such as insurer, fleet and retail, and any approvals you hold
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements and your premises lease

Body shop equipment finance FAQs

Get a body shop equipment finance quote

Laundry equipment finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, so you can replace worn machines, add capacity for a new contract or bring linen in house without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Laundry equipment we finance

Lenders will fund most commercial laundry and dry cleaning equipment, from a pair of machines in a care home to a full industrial processing line.

We regularly see equipment from makers such as Electrolux Professional, Miele Professional, Girbau, Primus, Speed Queen, Jensen and Kannegiesser. For kitchens in the same hotel, care home or restaurant, see our catering equipment finance guide.

Commercial and industrial laundries

Commercial laundries process linen for hotels, restaurants, healthcare and workwear customers, and their equipment is a large part of the business’s value.

• Funding a whole line. A tunnel washer, press, transfer dryers, feeder, ironer and folder can go on one agreement with installation, so the line is funded as a single project.
• Contract-led growth. If new equipment is needed for a new hotel group or healthcare contract, lenders will look at the contract and its term alongside your accounts.
• Energy savings. Heat recovery, heat pump dryers and more efficient washers cut gas, water and power bills. Showing those savings helps show the new payments are affordable.
• Used and reconditioned machines. Ironers and tunnel washers are long-lived, and reconditioned machines from established dealers are widely funded.

Textile businesses that make rather than clean fabric are covered in our asset finance for textile manufacturing guide.

Hotels, care homes and on-premise laundries

Many hotels, care homes, gyms, spas and holiday parks run their own laundry rather than sending linen out. Bringing it in house often costs less than an outside laundry service.

• Care homes. Care home laundries often need machines with thermal disinfection and sluice cycles, and a layout that keeps soiled and clean linen apart, in line with infection control guidance such as HTM 01-04. Lenders fund these machines in the normal way.
• Hotels and holiday parks. A small flatwork ironer with washers and dryers lets a hotel process its own sheets and towels. Comparing the finance payment with your current laundry bill shows the saving clearly.
• Supplier rental plans. Many laundry suppliers offer rental with servicing included. Buying on finance and taking a separate service contract can work out cheaper over the life of the machines, and you own them at the end.

Launderettes and dry cleaners

• Launderette refits. A full set of self-service washers and dryers with a card or app payment system can be funded together, including installation.
• Your premises lease. Lenders check how long is left on your shop lease. The finance term should not run well past the date you could lose the premises.
• Dry cleaning machines. Dry cleaners replacing older solvent machines with hydrocarbon machines or wet cleaning systems can fund the machine, finishing equipment and installation together.
• Takings records. For cash and card businesses, lenders look at bank statements and payment system reports to see steady takings.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease compared

Hire purchase suits machines you will keep for years. A lease suits you better if you want to spread the VAT or keep upfront costs low. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for laundry equipment

Hire purchase is the most common choice. You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the machines.

Finance lease for laundry equipment

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the machines throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using them for a low secondary rent, or sell them on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for laundry equipment

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the machines are expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It suits businesses that want to replace machines on a regular cycle. At the end you hand them back, extend the lease or upgrade to new machines.

Laundry equipment finance costs: a worked example

A £60,000 hotel laundry fit-out, with four washer extractors, four tumble dryers and a flatwork ironer, costs about £1,344 a month on a 4-year hire purchase, or about £1,121 a month over 5 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £223 but adds around £2,755 of interest. If the hotel currently sends its linen out, compare the payment, plus utilities and staff time, with the monthly laundry bill it replaces.

VAT and tax on laundry equipment finance

Care homes that are not VAT registered, or only partly able to reclaim VAT, may prefer a lease so the VAT is spread across the rentals. Check the treatment for your business with your accountant.

What lenders ask for

Most laundry equipment finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from the supplier showing each machine, installation and any water treatment or payment systems
• For contract-led purchases, a copy or summary of the customer contract
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements and your premises lease

Laundry equipment finance FAQs

Get a laundry equipment finance quote

Portable cabin and modular building finance spreads the cost over 2 to 5 years, or longer on new modular buildings, so a business can stop paying hire on units it uses all year or build a hire fleet without a large cash outlay. We are a broker, not a lender, so we compare quotes from our lender panel rather than offering one bank’s product.

Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed October 2026.

Portable cabins, containers and modular units we finance

Lenders will fund most relocatable buildings used in a business, as long as each unit can be identified on the supplier’s quote.

We regularly see units from makers and suppliers such as Groundhog, AJC EasyCabin, Garic, Wernick and Portakabin. If you also need plant on site, see telehandler finance and waste skip finance.

Cabin and welfare unit hire fleets

Cabin hire companies and plant hire firms are some of the biggest users of this type of finance. Steel units can earn hire income for 20 years or more, which makes them a good asset for lenders.

• Funding batches. Several units can go on one agreement, with each serial number listed on the schedule. Lenders will often agree a facility so you can add units as contracts come in.
• Utilisation and contracts. Lenders look at how much of your fleet is out on hire, your hire rates and how long customers keep units. Long-term hires to contractors or councils help.
• Refurbished units. Refurbished cabins and containers from established dealers are widely funded, which lets a growing fleet add units at a lower cost.
• Raising cash on an owned fleet. If you already own units outright, a lender may refinance them to release cash for growth, using the units as security.

Contractors who hire welfare units all year round often find that owning them costs less. For other site equipment, see asset finance for civil engineering and asset finance for railway contractors.

Modular buildings and what counts as relocatable

Asset finance works on equipment that a lender could recover and sell. That matters a lot for buildings.

• Relocatable buildings. Cabins, containers and modular units that sit on simple foundations and can be lifted off and moved are funded as equipment.
• Groundworks and services. Bases, drainage, power and water connections stay on site if the unit is removed, so lenders usually fund only a limited share of them, or none.
• Permanent buildings. Modular buildings fixed permanently to the land become part of the property. These are usually better funded with a commercial mortgage or development finance, which we can also arrange.
• Delivery and fit-out. Transport, craneage, internal fit-out and furniture can usually be included, as long as the units make up most of the total.

What lenders look at on cabin and modular finance

• Construction and maker. Steel anti-vandal cabins, welfare units and containers hold their value best. Timber-framed or bespoke units have a narrower resale market.
• Age and condition. On used units, lenders look at the year built and any refurbishment. Each unit should have a serial number or plate so it can be identified.
• Where the units will be. Units on your own yard are simple. For hire fleets spread across customer sites, lenders want to see how you track and insure them.
• How the business earns. Lenders want to see how the units fit your income, whether that is hire revenue, a construction contract or saved hire costs.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease compared

Hire purchase suits units you will keep for years. A lease suits you better if you want to spread the VAT or keep upfront costs low. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.

Hire purchase for cabins and modular containers

Hire purchase is the most common choice. You pay a deposit, usually 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and ownership passes to you after the final payment and a small option-to-purchase fee. As the owner for tax purposes, the business may be able to claim capital allowances on the units.

Finance lease for cabins and modular containers

A finance lease keeps the upfront cost to a few rentals, and VAT is spread across the rentals rather than paid at the start. The lender owns the units throughout. At the end of the main term you can keep using them for a low secondary rent, or sell them on the lender’s behalf and receive most of the sale proceeds.

Operating lease for cabins and modular containers

An operating lease sets the rentals against what the units are expected to be worth at the end of the term, so the lender carries the resale risk. It is mostly available on new relocatable modular buildings through specialist lessors, and suits a business that needs extra space for a fixed period. At the end you hand the units back or extend the lease.

Portable cabin finance costs: a worked example

Five new welfare units at £15,000 each, £75,000 in total, cost about £1,680 a month on a 4-year hire purchase, or about £1,401 a month over 5 years. That is around £280 a month per unit over 5 years.

The longer term lowers the monthly payment by about £279 but adds around £3,444 of interest. If those units would otherwise be hired, compare the payment with your current monthly hire bill.

VAT and tax on portable cabin finance

Whether a modular building counts as plant or as part of a building for capital allowances depends on how it is installed, so check the treatment with your accountant.

What lenders ask for

Most portable cabin and modular building finance applications need the following.

• Your last 2 years of filed accounts, or management accounts and a forecast if you are newer
• Your last 3 to 6 months of business bank statements
• A quote from the supplier, listing each unit with its size, serial number and year if used, and showing delivery, fit-out and any groundworks separately
• For hire fleets, a summary of your current fleet, utilisation and main customers
• Photo ID and address history for each director, member or partner
• Details of any existing finance agreements

Portable cabin and modular building finance FAQs

Get a portable cabin finance quote