How Wise Factoring helped a growing scaffolding business access flexible, confidential invoice funding, without disrupting its existing banking relationship.
Case Study at a Glance
- Sector: Construction (scaffolding)
- Funding solution: Confidential selective invoice finance
- Invoice funded: £95,000
- Advance: Over 90%
- Payment terms: 90 days
- Setup fees: None
- Time to arrange: Seven calendar days
The Challenge: Growing Contracts, Tightening Cash Flow
An established UK scaffolding contractor was experiencing rapid growth, winning new contracts and taking on increasingly substantial construction projects.
While the additional work was welcome, it brought a familiar challenge for growing construction businesses: cash flow.
New contracts required significant upfront expenditure on labour, materials and mobilisation costs, while payments for completed work could take between 60 and 90 days.
The business was profitable, but the timing difference between incurring costs and receiving payment was putting pressure on working capital.
The owner had already approached a major high street bank and was close to proceeding with a construction invoice finance facility.
There was one significant complication. To access the proposed funding, the business would have to transfer its entire banking relationship to the new provider.
The owner was happy with his existing bank and had no desire to disrupt established arrangements simply to access additional working capital. He believed this was the only practical option available.
How Wise Factoring Helped
Wise Factoring contacted the business at exactly the right time, on 20 October 2026.
During an initial conversation, the owner explained that he was already close to accepting a bank-led funding arrangement.
Rather than immediately recommending an alternative, we offered to review the proposal independently and establish whether it was the most appropriate solution for the business.
The owner had initially been given verbal indications of the likely charges. We recommended obtaining the full written terms so that the complete cost and obligations could be properly understood.
The written proposal revealed a more complex charging structure than the owner had initially expected, including service fees, discounting charges, setup costs exceeding £1,000, same-day payment charges and annual review fees.
Importantly, the bank’s proposed facility was competitively priced. In straightforward funding terms, it would have been cheaper than the alternative we ultimately identified.
But price was not the only consideration.
The owner did not need a large, ongoing factoring arrangement committed against his entire debtor ledger. He wanted the flexibility to release cash from individual invoices when required, without disrupting his existing banking relationship or taking on unnecessary commitments.
We explained the available options, including their respective advantages and disadvantages, and left the decision with the owner.
The Solution: Confidential, Selective Invoice Funding
Following a review of the construction finance market, Wise Factoring identified a confidential selective invoice funding facility that was better suited to the client’s specific requirements.
The facility offered:
- No requirement to change business banks
- No setup fees
- No monthly or ongoing facility fees
- No personal guarantee
- No debenture or legal charge over company assets
- Confidential funding, with no notification to the client’s customers
- The flexibility to fund individual eligible invoices as required
- Funding charges calculated on a daily basis
- The ability to repay early and reduce interest costs
- The option to request an extension if a customer payment is delayed, subject to approval
Instead of committing the entire debtor ledger to a traditional factoring arrangement, the contractor could select individual invoices for funding. Each invoice and its underlying customer would be assessed for eligibility, with the cost established before funding.
The business could continue issuing invoices in its own name, using its existing bank account details, and maintain its established banking relationships without interruption.
The Result: Facility Ready in Seven Days
Wise Factoring first contacted the business on 20 October 2026.
By 27 October, just seven calendar days later, the new funding facility had been established and was ready to use.
The contractor did not need to draw funds immediately. The facility was available when the business subsequently required additional working capital.
On 9 November 2026, the client funded a £95,000 invoice relating to completed work on a major construction project. The invoice carried 90-day payment terms.
Over 90% of the invoice value was advanced, providing working capital to support the mobilisation costs of further contracts.
The contractor retained its existing bank, avoided the disruption of changing banking arrangements and gained access to flexible funding without setup charges, personal guarantees or security over company assets.
The facility remains available for future eligible invoices, allowing the business to access additional working capital as required, subject to approval.
The Value of Independent Advice: Why Cheaper Is Not Always Better
This case study highlights a point that many business owners overlook when comparing finance options.
The original bank proposal was a legitimate, competitively priced facility, particularly for a business requiring substantial ongoing invoice finance against its entire debtor ledger.
However, this contractor needed something different: occasional access to working capital, the flexibility to fund individual invoices and the ability to retain his existing banking relationship.
By reviewing the options independently, Wise Factoring helped the owner identify a funding solution that better reflected how his business actually operated.
Sometimes the value of a commercial finance broker is not finding a cheaper facility. It is finding a more suitable one.
Considering Invoice Finance for Your Construction Business?
If your construction business is winning new contracts but facing 60 to 90-day payment terms, invoice finance could help bridge the gap between mobilisation costs and customer payments.
You may have more options than you realise, and you do not necessarily need to change your existing banking arrangements.
Before committing to a facility, speak to Wise Factoring for an independent review. We will explain the options, the costs and the potential obligations, so you can make an informed decision.
Speak to Wise Factoring for a free, no-obligation funding review.
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This case study describes a specific funding arrangement completed in November 2026. The client’s identity has been withheld. The features, terms and advance described relate to this particular approved facility and should not be treated as guaranteed for other applicants. Invoice finance eligibility, terms and costs vary according to the applicant’s circumstances, trading history and the creditworthiness of the underlying customer. Wise Factoring is an independent commercial finance broker. We do not charge fees to our clients for arranging invoice finance. To discuss your requirements, contact Wise Factoring for a free, no-obligation consultation.
