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Best Plumbing Business Loans (2026)

A $191 billion industry still runs on trucks, tools and cash flow gaps between jobs

Key takeaways

  • Match the loan to the job. Working capital covers gaps between invoices, equipment financing suits a new van or diagnostic gear, and SBA loans fit larger expansions.
  • Credit minimums start around 500. Alternative lenders and marketplaces accept scores as low as 500–525, while banks and SBA loans generally expect mid-600s or higher.
  • Watch the repayment schedule. Daily or weekly repayments on merchant cash advances strain cash flow during a slow stretch far more than a single monthly payment.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors or omissions.

The US plumbing industry is on track to hit $191.4 billion in revenue in 2026, growing at a 3.1% annual rate over the past five years, according to IBISWorld. That’s a reliable trade, but reliable demand doesn’t mean steady cash. The cost of fixtures, fittings and trims has jumped 28.4% since January 2021, according to the same IBISWorld report, and most plumbers have had to front those higher material costs before a job ever gets billed. A blown water heater install, a new service van or payroll during a slow month can all hit before a big invoice clears.

The right business loan covers that gap without you turning down work. Here are the best options for plumbing businesses in 2026, from fast working capital to interest-free microloans for newer shops.

Best plumbing business loans

Finder Score Loan amount Loan term APR

Best for fast funding with a low credit bar

Pinnacle Funding logo
Pinnacle Funding
$10,000 – $5,000,000
6 to 24 months
Varies by loan type
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Why we like it

Pinnacle Funding is a Brooklyn-based alternative lender built for businesses that don't fit a bank's credit box. It offers term loans and a business line of credit with a 525 minimum credit score and a soft credit check that won't affect your score. Plumbing businesses that need quick working capital for materials or payroll and don't want a hard credit pull may find this a good fit, though rates and fees aren't published on its website.

Pros

  • 525 minimum credit score
  • Soft credit check only during the application
  • Term loans can fund the same day; lines of credit can fund instantly

Cons

  • APR, fees and repayment terms aren't listed on its website
  • Line of credit tops out at $150,000
  • Only offers term loans and a line of credit — no SBA loans or equipment financing

Best for large equipment and SBA amounts

Lendzi logo
$5,000 – $20,000,000
6 months to 25 years
Varies by lender
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Why we like it

Lendzi is a Los Angeles-based marketplace with a network of more than 60 lending partners, built for business owners who want a single application to compare a wide range of products, from term loans to equipment financing to SBA loans. For a plumbing business investing in a new fleet vehicle or larger equipment, Lendzi's published term loan rate range and amount give more upfront pricing detail than most marketplaces on this list.

Pros

  • Network of more than 60 lending partners
  • No hard credit check to get a quote
  • Funding possible in as little as 24 hours for some products

Cons

  • Doesn't publish rate ranges for most of its other loan products
  • Term loans require a minimum of one year in business
  • Doesn't detail its own security or data-privacy practices on its website

Best for comparing the most loan types in one place

Lendio logo
$1,000 – $10,000,000
Varies by lender
Varies by lender
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Why we like it

Lendio is one of the largest small business loan marketplaces, connecting borrowers with more than 75 lenders across 11 loan products through a single 15-minute application. That range matters for plumbing businesses since your financing needs might shift from a line of credit for slow months to equipment financing for a new van to an SBA loan for expansion, Lendio can surface offers across all of them.

Pros

  • Network of more than 75 lenders across 11 loan products
  • Soft credit check for the initial application
  • Free to use — Lendio is paid a fee by the lender when you're funded

Cons

  • Rates, terms and fees depend entirely on which lender you're matched with
  • Some loan products, like SBA and commercial real estate loans, can take weeks to fund
  • Lendio shares your information with its lender network, so expect follow-up calls

Best for comparing SBA and term loan options

Fundera logo
$2,500 – $5,000,000
Varies by lender
Varies by lender
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Why we like it

Fundera, now part of NerdWallet, is a marketplace rather than a direct lender, matching plumbing business owners with a curated group of lending partners through one application. It runs a soft credit check up front, so comparing offers won't ding your score, and its site notes that some of its lenders work with credit scores as low as 500. It's a solid stop if you want to see SBA, term loan and line of credit offers side by side before formally applying anywhere.

Pros

  • Soft credit check only for the initial match
  • No fee charged to borrowers — Fundera is paid by the lender
  • Access to SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing and more

Cons

  • Works with a smaller pool of lending partners than some competitors
  • Doesn't publish its own rate ranges since terms depend on the matched lender
  • Options narrow for true startups, though its own site notes some lenders will work with businesses as young as three months

Best for interest-free microloans

Businessloans.com logo
Kiva business loans
$1,000 – $15,000
6 months to 3 years
0%
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Why we like it

Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform, not a traditional lender, and it's the only pick on this list with a true 0% interest rate. If you're a newer or very small plumbing operation that needs a small amount to buy tools, a used van or a starter inventory of pipe and fittings, Kiva lets you crowdfund that amount from friends, family and a global network of individual lenders with no interest and no fees. The tradeoff is time and effort: you have to build your own funding campaign, and the process can take a month or more from application to disbursement.

Pros

  • 0% interest and no fees of any kind
  • No minimum credit score, revenue or time in business
  • Optional credit reporting to Experian Business and Dun & Bradstreet

Cons

  • Caps out at $15,000
  • Full process can take 30 to 60 days or more
  • Requires recruiting your own network of lenders before going public

Best for a fast, self-service comparison

Businessloans.com Main Product  logo
$10,000 – $3,000,000
Varies by lender
Varies by lender
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Compare product selection

Why we like it

BusinessLoans.com pairs plumbing business owners with up to five funding partners after a three-minute questionnaire, with no hard credit check to see offers. It's built for self-service: you answer a handful of questions about revenue, time in business and credit range, then compare recommendations without talking to a loan specialist unless you want to.

Pros

  • Get matched with up to five funding partners
  • No credit impact to see initial offers
  • Funding possible in as little as 24 hours through some partners

Cons

  • Doesn't publish loan amounts, rates or fees on its website
  • Doesn't list which lenders are in its network
  • Customer service contact details aren't easy to find on the site

Best for bad credit and flexible qualifying

Advance Funds Network logo
$10,000 – $5,000,000
6–18 months
Varies by lender
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Why we like it

Advance Funds Network (AFN) has been funding small businesses since 2008 and works with a wide range of credit profiles. Its credit score minimum depends on the product: 500 for its line of credit and merchant cash advance, 550 for its term loan. That makes it a reasonable option for plumbing businesses that have the revenue but not the credit history a bank wants. Revenue requirements also vary by product, so check which one fits before applying.

Pros

  • Credit score minimums as low as 500 for its line of credit and MCA
  • No prepayment penalty, with incentives for paying off early
  • Same-day funding available in some cases

Cons

  • Specific APRs and fees aren't listed on its website
  • Term loans require a 550 credit score and $400,000 in minimum annual revenue
  • Real estate, gambling and a handful of other industries aren't eligible

Best for comparing loans alongside other financial products

Best Money logo
Best Money
$5,000 – $5,000,000
Varies by lender
Varies by lender
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Compare product selection

Why we like it

Best Money is a comparison platform rather than a lender, letting you look at business loan offers next to personal loans, business credit cards and other financing in one place. If you're a plumbing business owner still deciding between a loan and a business credit card, or want to research a specific partner's reviews before applying, it's a useful starting point rather than a funding source itself.

Pros

  • Compares business loans against other financing types in one place
  • Includes lender reviews to help vet a partner before applying
  • Free to use, with no impact on your credit to browse

Cons

  • Not a lender or marketplace — you'll still apply directly with whichever partner you choose
  • Doesn't publish its own rates or loan amounts since it isn't originating loans
  • Business loan coverage is less deep than a dedicated business loan marketplace
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How we chose these lenders

We looked at each lender or marketplace’s own website for credit score minimums, revenue requirements, loan amounts, APRs and fees. To judge fit for plumbing businesses specifically, we weighed each pick against the profile of a typical plumbing operation: revenue and credit requirements low enough for a solo operator or small crew to qualify, loan sizes that match common plumbing costs like a service vehicle or equipment upgrade, and repayment structures that can flex around seasonal or job-to-job cash flow. We also checked BBB accreditation and Trustpilot sentiment for each pick. Lenders and marketplaces that don’t disclose specific rates or amounts on their own websites are noted as such rather than filled in with third-party estimates.

How to compare plumbing business loans

Before picking a lender, weigh these factors against your business’s cash flow and timeline:

  • Total cost, not just the headline rate. Factor rates, origination fees and prepayment penalties can matter more than the advertised APR
  • Repayment schedule. Daily or weekly repayment (common with MCAs) hits cash flow differently than a single monthly payment
  • Funding speed. A burst pipe emergency and a planned fleet upgrade have very different timelines
  • Collateral requirements. Equipment financing is typically self-secured, while unsecured term loans may require a personal guarantee
  • Eligibility fit. Minimum credit score, time in business and monthly revenue vary widely between direct lenders and marketplaces

What is a plumbing business loan?

A plumbing business loan is any financing product used to cover the costs specific to running a plumbing company — service vehicles, tools, materials, payroll between jobs or expansion into new service areas. There’s no single “plumbing loan” product; instead, plumbing businesses use the same range of small business financing everyone else does, matched to their specific need. A working capital loan covers day-to-day cash flow gaps, while equipment financing is better suited to a new van or diagnostic camera, and an SBA loan makes sense for a larger, longer-term investment like a second location.

Pros and cons of plumbing business loans

Weigh these before you borrow:

Pros

  • Lets you take on larger jobs without waiting on a client's payment to arrive first
  • Equipment financing and some term loans can be structured around your seasonal cash flow

Cons

  • Short-term products like MCAs carry high effective costs relative to the amount borrowed
  • Daily or weekly repayment schedules can strain cash flow during a slow stretch

Compare other plumbing business loans

7 of 7 results
Finder Score Min. Amount Max. Amount APR Requirements
$10,000
$5,000,000
Varies by loan type
525 credit score, 6+months in business, $180,000+ annual revenue
Apply in minutes with funding as fast as 24 hours and zero impact to your credit score.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
$1,000
$10,000,000
Varies by lender
Operate business in US for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 520 personal credit score, at least $8,000 in monthly revenue.
Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
$5,000
$1,500,000
Factor rate of 1.05-1.5
6+ months in business, $240K+ annual revenue, 570 minimum credit score
Get approval decision for funding in minutes for up to $1,500,000 without affecting your credit score. Best for companies seeking large business loans.
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Compare product selection
Lendzi logo
$5,000
$20,000,000
Varies by lender
Minimum credit score of 500, minimum annual revenue of $120,000, preferably one to two years in business
Compare lending options and get funded fast.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
Fundera logo
$2,500
$5,000,000
Varies by lender
$60,000+ of annual revenue, 600+ personal credit score, in business for 6+ months
Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
PayPal logo
$5,000
$300,000
Fixed fee (amount not disclosed)
Minimum credit score not disclosed, 9+ months in business, at least $33,300 in annual revenue
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection
Best Money logo
Best Money
$5,000
$5,000,000
Varies by lender
Depends on the lender
Apply in minutes. Get funded fast.
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Showing 7 of 7 results

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 12+ types of business loans across 35+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best business loans for startups loans, you can see how each business loan stacks up against other business loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.

Read the full breakdown

Types of plumbing business loans

Here’s a quick look at how the main loan types stack up for a plumbing business:

TypeTypical loan amountsTypical term lengthsBest for
Term loan$5,000–$2 million+1–10 yearsA single large purchase, like a fleet vehicle or major equipment
Business line of credit$1,000–$500,000RevolvingOngoing cash flow gaps between jobs
Equipment financingUp to the value of the equipment2–7 yearsVans, diagnostic tools or specialty machinery
SBA loanUp to $5 millionUp to 25 yearsExpansion, a second location or refinancing existing debt
Merchant cash advanceUp to $500,000No fixed termFast cash when revenue is strong but credit is thin
Microloan (e.g. Kiva)$1,000–$15,00012–36 monthsStartup costs for a new or very small plumbing business

How to qualify for a plumbing business loan

Requirements vary by lender and loan type, but plumbing businesses generally need:

  • A minimum credit score, ranging from around 500 for alternative lenders to more than 650 for banks and SBA loans
  • A minimum time in business, often six months to two years depending on the lender
  • Proof of consistent monthly or annual revenue
  • Recent business bank statements
  • A business bank account separate from personal finances

How to apply for a plumbing business loan

  1. Check your credit and gather documents. Pull your personal and business credit reports and have recent bank statements ready
  2. Decide which loan type fits your need. A cash flow gap calls for a different product than a vehicle purchase
  3. Compare offers. Apply through a marketplace like Lendio or Fundera to see multiple offers with one soft credit check, or apply directly with a lender like Pinnacle Funding or AFN
  4. Review and accept terms. Read the APR, fees and repayment schedule closely before signing

Alternatives to plumbing business loans

  • Business credit cards. Useful for smaller, recurring purchases like materials or fuel, and some offer 0% introductory APR periods.
  • Invoice factoring. Sell unpaid commercial invoices for immediate cash if your plumbing business does net-30 or net-60 work for larger clients.
  • CDFIs and microloans. Community development financial institutions and programs like Kiva or the SBA Microloan program can work for newer or credit-challenged plumbing businesses.
  • Grants. Some local and trade-specific grants exist for small contractors, though funding amounts are typically modest and competitive.
  • Equipment leasing. An alternative to equipment financing if you’d rather not own the asset outright.

Frequently asked questions

Richard Laycock's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Laycock as part of our fact-checking process.
Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
Editor, Loans & Insurance

Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company. See full bio

Megan B.'s expertise
Megan B. has written 122 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal loans, business loans and home loans
  • Underwriting guidelines
  • Life, disability, car, health, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance
  • Policy comparison

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