Offer finance for landscaping projects

The UK landscaping boom - and why finance wins work

The UK landscaping market is entering a decisive growth phase. Industry revenue is projected at around £30.8bn in 2025 and momentum is building across commercial and domestic projects. New Biodiversity Net Gain rules are pulling landscapers earlier into design and planning, aligning with ambitious housing targets and infrastructure pipelines. That combination means more tenders, larger scopes and longer programmes that need dependable finance behind them.

Offering finance at the point of sale can convert interest into signed contracts. For homeowners, monthly payments make patios, garden rooms and planting schemes more attainable. For commercial clients, structured terms support budget cycles and cash flow. For landscapers, finance helps protect margins, shorten sales cycles and de-risk material and labour commitments. It also signals professionalism in a market where quality and compliance matter.

Confidence across the sector is notably high, with most businesses expecting revenue growth in 2025 and a clear uptick in enquiries for quality green spaces from businesses and councils. Domestic hard landscaping is set for steady expansion too, reflecting continued demand for outdoor living as the economy normalises. Behind the scenes, a large workforce is ready to deliver, giving clients confidence that projects can scale when funding is in place.

Understanding APR is not just about percentages - it is about what you pay in real terms and how quickly you see value in your space.

With a broker that understands the sector, finance becomes a practical tool rather than a hurdle. Present clear options, explain the numbers plainly and match terms to the project timeline. That is how you turn a promising brief into a booked job.

Who gains from offering finance

Landscaping businesses of all sizes can benefit, from solo designers to multi-crew contractors. If your pipeline includes design-and-build, maintenance frameworks, or specialist works like drainage, lighting and biodiversity planting, finance lets you align scope with budget. Homeowners weighing a dream garden against competing household costs often need flexible payments to proceed. Commercial buyers - estates, schools, hospitality, developers and local authorities - value predictable terms that fit annual budgets and compliance requirements. If you regularly face price resistance, elongated decisions or phased projects, adding finance at proposal stage can accelerate approvals without discounting your expertise.

Ways to structure customer finance

1. Interest-bearing fixed-term loans - predictable monthly repayments over 12-120 months.

2. Interest free over short terms - subsidised by you to drive rapid uptake.

3. Buy now, pay later with deferred start - useful for seasonal or phased works.

4. Split funding - deposit upfront, balance on flexible credit.

5. Asset finance for equipment - spread cost of machinery that underpins delivery.

6. Framework finance for commercial clients - align drawdowns with milestones.

Cost, impact, returns and risks

Who is likely to qualify

Eligibility depends on the applicant and the product. Homeowners are typically assessed on credit history, affordability and income stability, with proof of address and ID required. Commercial clients may need director checks and basic financials, especially for larger contracts or longer terms. Projects linked to regulatory outcomes - such as Biodiversity Net Gain or planning conditions - can support stronger cases when scope and timelines are clear. Lenders will favour well-specified works, staged payments and credible contractors. As a UK-based retail finance broker, Kandoo can introduce a panel of lenders to help match term length, rate structures and payout schedules to the project. While perfect credit is not essential, transparent documentation, clear milestones and a realistic budget usually improve approval odds and keep the process swift for all parties.

From quote to completion - the simple path

1. Scope the project and confirm budget range.

2. Present two to three finance options upfront.

3. Gather applicant details and consent securely.

4. Submit to lender panel for quick decisions.

5. Agree terms, documents and payout milestones.

6. Take deposit and schedule start date.

7. Draw funds at stages and deliver to specification.

Balancing benefits and trade-offs

Read this before you proceed

Finance is most effective when it is introduced early, explained clearly and embedded in your proposal. Keep the customer focused on outcomes - habitat gains, usable space, safer access, long-term maintenance - and show how payments align with project milestones. Clarify total cost payable and any fees before applications are submitted. For commercial schemes, map drawdowns against cash flow forecasts and procurement timetables. Where works relate to planning or biodiversity targets, document assumptions and responsibilities in the contract. Finally, set expectations on lead times and materials to avoid cost drift, and build in contingencies that your finance structure can accommodate without frequent amendments.

Alternative routes to fund projects

1. Home improvement loans from a customer’s bank.

2. Remortgage or further advance secured on property.

3. Asset finance or hire purchase for machinery.

4. Business overdrafts or revolving credit facilities.

5. Council grants or environmental funds where eligible.

Your questions answered

Q: How does offering finance help win commercial tenders? A: It aligns costs with budget cycles and allows staged drawdowns tied to milestones. That reduces cash strain for clients and makes your bid easier to approve.

Q: Will finance slow my sales process? A: With a broker and digital applications, decisions can be quick. Present options upfront so finance supports, not delays, the commitment.

Q: What rates will my customers see? A: Rates vary by profile, loan size and term. The key is showing total cost, monthly payments and any fees so customers can compare options confidently.

Q: Can customers with less-than-perfect credit be approved? A: Often yes, depending on affordability and lender criteria. Clear documentation and realistic scopes increase the chances of approval.

Q: How are funds released for phased works? A: Disbursements can mirror milestones such as groundworks, hard landscaping and planting. This protects both parties and supports cash flow.

Q: Does Biodiversity Net Gain affect finance? A: It can strengthen the business case by defining measurable outcomes and timelines, which lenders view favourably in structured proposals.

How Kandoo helps you close more projects

Kandoo connects your landscaping business to a panel of UK lenders, giving customers clear choices that fit their budget and your delivery plan. We help you present compliant, plain-English finance at the point of sale, align payouts with milestones and keep paperwork light. The result is faster approvals, stronger cash flow and more signed work.

Important information

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker, not a lender. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. Terms, rates and availability may change. Always consider total cost payable and seek independent advice where appropriate.