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Property Development Finance

Introduced to the lenders we use on our own developments, with the appraisal, cost plan and programme they ask for.

Our track record

100% of projects delivered ahead
of programme and on budget

Combined team experience

  • £3M–£150MGDV of the development schemes we take on
  • £225M+land acquired, combined team experience
  • 10+years on the market, since 2016
  • £10Mpublic and employers' liability cover

We don't sell finance. We build, and borrow for it.

We connect developers and landowners across London and the UK with the lenders we use on our own development projects. Before the introduction we prepare the scheme a lender funds: appraisal, planning position, build cost per m² and programme, for schemes from £3M to £150M GDV. Property development finance comes from the lender; the lender-ready scheme comes from us. If a lender doubts your build cost, planning or programme, we fix the pack before it goes back. At Allitsen Road we costed four options, every trade, on a £6.0M GDV scheme. Start with a free scheme review.

Most development loans stall on the same questions. Is the GDV real? Will the build cost hold? Will the programme slip while interest runs?

We build and develop, and we fund our own schemes through lenders we know from the inside. When your project needs development finance, we introduce you to the lender that fits it. First we prepare what that lender will test: appraisal, planning, build cost and programme. We know which lender suits which kind of scheme because we do projects ourselves. We can consult you on which route fits your scheme. The loan is agreed between you and the lender.

Send us the scheme and a director will tell you, free, what a lender is likely to question.

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What do lenders need before they fund your scheme?

A development loan lends against a building that does not exist yet. These six pieces decide whether a lender says yes, and we prepare each one.

Printed charts, a calculator and reading glasses on a desk with ring binders

Appraisal and GDV

A development appraisal with the gross development value backed by comparable sales, so the lender's valuer starts from evidence.

Architectural floor plan drawing on a table with a pencil

Planning position

What is consented, which conditions are still open, and what Section 106 and CIL will cost.

Red scale rule lying across a dimensioned technical drawing

Build cost per m² from our 2026 rates

A cost plan priced by our own construction team, line by line, not a rule-of-thumb figure.

Drawings pinned to the wall of a site cabin above tools and equipment

Programme and cash flow

A build programme and a monthly cash flow the lender's monitoring surveyor can check against each drawdown.

Site worker in hard hat and hi-vis vest seen from behind beside a fenced footpath

Contractor with the track record, insurance and reporting lenders ask to see (our build team)

Our in-house construction team, with the track record, insurance and reporting a lender asks to see.

Two people's hands over printed papers on a wooden table during a document review

Introduction to the right lender

We connect you with the lenders we work with on our own projects, matched to your scheme.

Not sure which pieces your scheme is missing? The free scheme review tells you, piece by piece.

How it works

How does an introduction to our lenders work?

01

Free scheme review

Send the site address and your appraisal. A director reads it and tells you honestly what a lender is likely to question.

02

Lender-ready pack

Appraisal, planning position, cost plan from our 2026 rates and a programme, put together as one pack.

03

Route chosen

Senior development loan, bridge, mezzanine or joint venture equity. We can consult you on the route; the choice is yours.

04

Introduction

We introduce you to lenders that fund our own builds, chosen for your scheme. The terms are set by the lender and agreed with you.

05

Build and monitoring-surveyor drawdowns

If we build it, our monthly reports are set up for the monitoring surveyor, so each drawdown follows certified work.

Step one is free and carries no obligation. A director replies once your numbers arrive.

Cover of the free Craftex Guide to Investor and Developer Projects

The Craftex Guide to Investor & Developer Projects

For developers and landowners planning a scheme: how we take it from brief and cost plan to a finished, certified building. The decisions at each stage, the reports to read each month, and the risks that stay yours. Read it before your first lender meeting.

Our promises

Six promises, written into your contract

Ask a director to walk you through all six at your scheme review.

  1. One team from appraisal to handover

    Appraisal, planning, cost and construction sit in-house, so the lender deals with one team, not four.

    construction is a Craftex department, not a subcontract.

  2. A build cost priced line by line

    Changes are agreed in writing and priced before the work is done.

    at Allitsen Road, cost plans for all four options, every trade.

  3. A programme written for the monitoring surveyor

    Our monthly reports reconcile with the contract, so each drawdown check has the evidence it needs.

    every project delivered ahead of programme and on budget.

  4. Built with our own labour

    Most of the work is done by our own people, so the programme stays in our hands while interest runs.

    around 60% of our labour is in-house.

  5. £10M public and £10M employers' liability cover

    Professional indemnity on request, ISO and CHAS accredited.

    £10M public liability and £10M employers' liability.

  6. We tell you if the numbers do not work

    If the numbers do not work, we tell you at the free review, before you spend on a pack.

    the first review costs you nothing.

Example build quotation from another firm, items listed, with the note: send it to us, we will beat it

Already have a quote? Send it to us. We'll beat it.

Send us the build quote your lender questioned. A director reads it against the scheme and tells you what a lender is likely to query and what is missing. Then we price it ourselves, line by line, and put our figure next to theirs.

Compare your quotes

Why do development finance applications stall?

Six reasons a development loan application slows down or stops, and what we do instead.

AreaThe usual riskWith Craftex
Valuation gapthe lender's valuer comes in below the appraisal, and the loan shrinks.GDV is built from comparable sales before the pack goes out.
Build cost not crediblea rough rate or a quote full of provisional sums.a cost plan priced by the team that will build it.
Planning not dischargedpre-commencement conditions still open when the lender wants to release funds.open conditions are listed and timed in the programme.
Contractor not acceptablea builder without the track record, insurance or reporting a lender needs.our own construction team, insured to £10M.
Programme slips, interest growsdelays keep interest rolling up on the drawn balance.built with our own labour and reported monthly against the programme.
Exit unclearno evidence of who will buy the homes or refinance the loan.the exit is set out in the appraisal from the first draft.

Which funding route fits your scheme?

Loans for property development in the UK come in a few main forms, and most schemes combine two or three. A mortgage rarely fits a build, because it lends against a finished building. Terms always come from the lender, never from us.

RouteWhat it fundsWhen it fitsWhat the lender asks for
Development finance (senior)Most of the build cost and often part of the land, released in stagesConsent is in place and the build is ready to startAppraisal, consent, cost plan, programme, contractor and your equity
Bridging loanA purchase or a short gap, often before planningYou must buy quickly, or need time before a development loanA clear exit: planning and refinance, or a sale
MezzaninePart of the gap between the senior loan and your equityThe senior loan leaves more equity to find than you want to commitThe senior lender's consent and an agreement on who is repaid first
Joint venture equityEquity in return for a share of the profitYou hold the land or the deal but not all the equityA partner who backs the scheme, on terms set in a JV agreement
Commercial development financeOffices, industrial, retail and mixed-use buildsThe exit is a letting or a sale to an investorLeasing or sales evidence, plus the senior pack

Unsure which mix suits your scheme? Ask at the free review and we will talk you through the options.

How does property development finance work?

Property development finance is a short-term loan for building a scheme. It is not a mortgage. A mortgage lends against a building that exists; a development loan lends against one that does not exist yet. That is why the lender looks so hard at who builds it, for how much and how fast.

**The facility and your equity.** The lender agrees a facility before work starts. Your own equity normally goes in first. The lender tests the loan against the total cost and against the finished value, and lends the lower. Limits differ by lender and scheme, so we quote none here.

**Staged drawdowns.** The money is not paid out as one sum. It is released in stages as work is done on site. Each stage follows a valuation of the work completed against the contract.

**The monitoring surveyor.** The lender appoints a monitoring surveyor to protect its money. Before the loan, they review the appraisal, cost, cash flow, consents and contracts. During the build, they check progress and the cost to complete. Their sign-off comes before each drawdown is released.

**Rolled-up interest.** On many development loans, interest is added to the debt and paid at the end, because the scheme earns nothing until it is finished. Every delay adds interest, so the programme matters as much as the price.

**The exit.** The loan is repaid when the finished scheme is sold, or refinanced onto a longer-term loan once it is let. Lenders want the exit evidenced from the start.

Residential development finance and commercial schemes follow the same pattern; the evidence for the exit differs. Our article on how development finance works covers the capital stack and loan sizing in more depth.

Want to know what a monitoring surveyor would make of your cost plan? Send it to us first.

Our team

  • in

Property development finance: your questions

A question we have not answered? Put it to a director at your free review.

How does property development finance work?

A lender agrees a facility for your scheme and releases it in stages as the build progresses. Interest is often rolled up and paid at the end. The loan is repaid from the sale or refinance of the finished building.

What is the difference between bridging and development finance?

A bridging loan is short-term money to buy a site or cover a gap, often before planning is granted. Development finance pays for the build itself, in stages. A bridge is often repaid by refinancing into a development loan once consent arrives.

Can I get finance for a commercial development?

Yes. Commercial property development finance covers offices, industrial units, retail and mixed-use schemes. The lender reads the exit closely: who will let or buy the finished space. We prepare the same pack, with the leasing or sales evidence on top.

What is a monitoring surveyor?

A surveyor appointed by the lender to check the scheme before the loan and the work during the build. The lender relies on their reports before it releases each drawdown. Our article on the development monitoring surveyor explains the role.

Do you work on schemes in Scotland?

We build in London and the South East. Send us the appraisal and we will list the points a lender is likely to test.

Do you lend money or arrange loans?

No. We introduce you to lenders that know us from our own developments. We do not lend and we do not set terms. Our part is the scheme: the appraisal, planning position, cost plan and programme the lender reads.

What do lenders need to see before funding a development?

Proof the scheme is worth what you say, the right to build it, a credible cost and programme, and a clear exit. They also look at your equity and your team's experience. A builder with a track record and proper insurance helps the case.

Can I fund a conversion or HMO scheme?

Yes. Conversions, including HMO schemes, can be funded with residential development finance or a refurbishment bridge, depending on the scale of the works. Lenders look hard at the survey and the contingency on existing buildings. We cost the works and the contingency before the pack goes out.

Is a joint venture better than borrowing?

It depends on how much equity you have and how much profit you want to keep. A joint venture brings a partner's money in exchange for a share of the profit; debt keeps the profit but must be repaid. See our joint venture property development service.

What size of scheme do you take on?

Development schemes from £3M to £150M GDV. Our construction work runs from £100,000 to £10M and above. Share the numbers, and the free scheme review tells you whether we are the right team.

What our clients say

See all reviews on Google
  • Hired Craftex for our conversion project. We had to convert a 600m2 office into 8 apartments. Guys did an excellent job in terms of program efficiency and quality of the finishes which gave us a big upside to exit the project 2 months faster than other competitors’ timelines.

    Misha Levit

  • Great experience from start to finish. Communication was clear, the workmanship was excellent, and the whole project was managed professionally.

    Rhea Langford

  • I’d like to thank the team at Сraftex for the work they did on our office.
    It was really important for us to get the work done quickly, but without compromising on quality, as we regularly have clients and guests visiting and needed to move into the new office within a month.
    We spent around two weeks discussing and agreeing all the details before the work started. What I really appreciated was that everything we agreed beforehand was actually followed through during the job. The work was also completed on time.
    Thanks to the whole Сraftex team for a great job. I’d definitely use them again if we need any work done in the future.

    IURII PYLYPETS

  • We recently worked with Craftex and honestly couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, the team was professional, reliable, and highly skilled. The quality of workmanship exceeded our expectations, and everything was completed on time and to a very high standard.
    Communication throughout the project was excellent, and they always went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. It’s rare to find a construction company that combines professionalism, attention to detail, and great customer service so well.
    Without a doubt, Craftex is one of the best construction companies we have ever worked with. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality and trustworthy builders.

    Adam Miah

  • Craftex has completed a range of both small and large-scale projects on our commercial property with exceptional precision and quality. Dmitriy consistently delivers courteous, prompt service and has shown great flexibility in accommodating last-minute changes to plans and timelines. I highly recommend Craftex for their professionalism and outstanding workmanship.

    Pascal Hunt

  • Great company to work with as always. Super flexible at dealing with evolving requirements and fast deployment and execution.

    Akshay Khanna

  • Hired Craftex to do the full design and fit out of my gym in Chelsea. Super efficient and fast team. They gave the best price and a proper fast track program. We managed to open in less than 6 weeks with no headaches or surprises during construction. Quality was great, we had zero snags on completion. I’ve worked with a few companies before but these guys really impressed me from project management to how they treat the client. Top GGs.

    Александр Хоменко

  • I worked perfectly with Sviat and Joe, with their architect they came up with a very smart design for our office to fit more desks and optimise the space to its maximum capacity. They also did excellent value engineering on the MEP design proposed by others, allowing us to save around £50K. The quality and speed were outstanding we finished two weeks ahead of schedule. Highly recommend these guys.

    John Smith

  • Happy with the end result. Tight timeline but they pulled it off. The team worked late shifts and even weekends to help us open the doors on schedule. Site was always left tidy at the end of the day and no surprise charges either. Good communication throughout. Would definitely use Craftex again.

    Pawel Kamionka

  • Highly recommended!
    Craftex are the kind of fit-out contractors in London you can truly trust. From the very first meeting, they understood our vision and gave practical ideas to make the most of our space. They turned our old storage area into a clean, efficient, and well-organized warehouse. The team was professional, easy to work with, and clearly took pride in their work.

    Monika Kamionka

  • We brought in Craftex to refurb our London office and honestly, they made the whole thing way easier than we expected. They listened, suggested ideas we wouldn’t have thought of, and explained everything clearly. Not the cheapest quote we got, but the end result shows why, the place looks modern, clean, and our team actually enjoys being here now. Communication was spot-on too. No chasing and confusion, deadlines were hit. If you want people who genuinely care and don’t treat your project like “another job,” I’d recommend them.

    A Google User

  • Sviat and his team at Craftex were brilliant to work with on our office redesign. From the first meeting, they took the time to understand how we actually use the space rather than just pitching generic solutions. They came back with clever, practical ideas to maximise use of the space and get more employees and desks inside . Every step was handled professionally, and the process felt surprisingly smooth for a project of this size. They finished one week ahead of schedule, and the transformation is clear — our office feels brighter, more functional, and much more welcoming. I’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone who wants a reliable design team that also makes the journey enjoyable.

    Cucu Iulian

  • We recently worked with Sviat and the Craftex team on a complete warehouse refurbishment, and the results have been outstanding. From the very beginning, their team was professional, organized, and attentive to every detail. The project was completed on time and within budget, without disrupting our day-to-day operations.

    Simone Racaku

  • My experience with Craftex was excellent from beginning to end. They took the time to really listen to what I wanted and then offered practical suggestions that made the design even better. I always felt like they cared about creating a space that worked for me, not just one that looked nice on paper. The end result is an office that feels stylish, welcoming, and very functional for day-to-day work. The process itself was straightforward, well-managed, and never stressful. I’d definitely recommend Craftex if you’re looking for office design and build services in London — they made the whole journey a positive one.

    Ion Bounegru

  • I’m really pleased with my experience working with Craftex. As a commercial construction firm, they handled everything from start to finish without any unnecessary stress on my side. What impressed me was how they suggested practical ideas that improved the design while also keeping things realistic. The communication was always clear, so I never felt out of the loop. The project ran smoothly, deadlines were met, and the end result is exactly what I was hoping for — a space that feels both functional and modern. It’s not easy finding contractors who are this reliable, but Craftex definitely proved they can be trusted.

    Taron Papoyan

  • I had an amazing experience working with Sviat and the Craftex team on our office fit-out in London. They were always professional, responsive, and quick to offer the best advice whenever decisions needed to be made. I really appreciated how they balanced style with practicality — the office doesn’t just look fantastic, it works perfectly for our team. Everything was done with care and attention to detail, and the project never felt overwhelming because they managed it so well. Communication was clear from start to finish, and I always felt involved in the process. I would happily recommend Craftex to anyone looking for a trustworthy contractor.

    Artur Dvorak

  • Craftex carried out a warehouse fit-out for us, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The space has been completely transformed into a highly organized and efficient environment that makes our daily operations much smoother.
    The team was professional but also very approachable — I always felt comfortable asking questions or giving feedback. They came up with smart, practical solutions that worked perfectly for our setup, and everything was explained clearly along the way.
    The best part was how they stuck to the agreed timeline, finishing on schedule without cutting corners. It’s rare to get both quality and reliability, but Craftex delivered both.

    Roma Shchukin

  • We’re extremely happy with Sviat and the Craftex team’s work. They suggested clever ideas, managed the project efficiently, and delivered a functional, modern space. The team was easy to communicate with and very professional throughout the process!

    Polina Lysenko

  • I can honestly say our office has been completely transformed thanks to Craftex. From the very first meeting, the team was approachable, professional, and full of creative ideas that really made sense for our business. They didn’t just focus on how the space would look but also how it would work for the team day-to-day. The new layout is efficient, modern, and welcoming, and you can tell they really thought about the details. The whole process was smooth and surprisingly stress-free. They kept me updated at every stage, which gave me confidence. I’m really happy with the results and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

    Mykyta Khadzhynov

  • The results from Craftex’s commercial refurbishment in London are fantastic. The team was friendly, clear in communication, and made sure the project stayed on track. The workspace now feels efficient, welcoming, and modern. Definitely a team you can trust!

    Alaa Betar

  • We hired Craftex for a commercial ground floor fit-out with 2 flats above. There were some minor co-ordination hiccups with third-party suppliers but the team kept it moving. Finish quality was strong. Kitchens and doors look great. I have already asked them for a quote on the next project.

    Ben Edell

  • These guys actually deliver. They handled our first industrial to residential conversion near Tower Bridge, turned an old warehouse into 4 modern flats. They stuck to the plan, kept the site clean and the timing was on point. No hidden extras, no drama, just a professional construction company in London that gets the job done.

    Богдан Главацкий

  • We recently hired Craftex for a commercial office fit-out project in Central London, and overall, we’re really happy with the result. There was a delay on our side with a custom glass partition supplier, but the Craftex team managed the construction schedule very professionally and kept everything on track. Their guys worked clean, respected our workspace and IT setup, and kept the site tidy throughout. If you're looking for a reliable office refurbishment company in London, I’d definitely recommend Craftex. Would use them again without hesitation.

    Ardian Beleshi

  • This was a full high-end renovation of my Victorian rental apartment in Westminster, just off Sloane Square and Belgravia. The scope included full fit-out: electrics, plumbing, a new bespoke kitchen, and a luxury bathroom refurbishment. Craftex took care of everything and made the process easy. They weren’t the cheapest, but you can tell they really know what they’re doing when it comes to prime London property renovations.
    The team was professional, organised, and genuinely seemed to care about getting everything right. I was especially impressed with the quality of the finish – the attention to detail really shows in every corner.
    I’m very happy with the results and would definitely recommend Craftex to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality renovation work in Central London.

    Наталия Цимбалюк

  • I was stressed about timing since we had bookings lined up, but they smashed it. Even worked Saturday to finish the floor. My clients love the look — the beauty salon fit-out turned out exactly how I wanted. Couldn’t have pulled it off without their help. Genuinely appreciate the way they communicated throughout the refurbishment. If you need reliable help with beauty salon design or fit-out, especially in a place like Chelsea — these are the guys.

    Rami Jusupova

  • We used Craftex for a shop-to-flat conversion in Chelsea — turning an old retail space into two rental units. Access wasn’t the easiest, but the guys handled it well, no drama. Quote was clear, no hidden extras, and they actually stuck to it, which is rare. Finish came out solid, exactly what we needed for rentals. Joe (PM) kept things ticking and communication was always on point. All in all, smooth job — would use them again for sure.👍

    Apartify Estates

  • Fuse Energy hired Craftex on the fit-out and installation of our engineering and research centre, which included electrical, heating, lighting, plumbing, and ventilation upgrades. They delivered everything to a high standard and were proactive throughout — even working weekends to help speed up the programme, despite not being contracted to. They managed last-minute changes very well, communication was clear and consistent, and the team was professional from start to finish. We’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone needing a reliable construction partner.

    Hainro Eybers

  • Holistic therapy space fit-out
    Super impressed. I had a very specific vision for the studio. calm tones, soft lighting, hidden storage etc. the craftex team just got it. build was done quicker than I expected and the guys were polite, tidy and actually listened. we had 2 snags on day one but they fixed it before the week was out. worth it for the peace of mind.

    Dariia Shvyryda

  • Made a full refurbishment and redesign of our Central London office. Fantastic work, quality service and reliable people. Can recommend it to everybody

    Nikita Nigai

  • Amazing experience with these guys. I trusted them my apartment in London and Business. They are always accurate, very professional, responsive and neat. They would always advice me right things for my best interest. I had luxury experience with them and I would definitely recommend Craftex to everyone.

    Motush Motushev

  • Could not be HAPPIER with Sviat and the Craftex team, they certainly showed me that they’re the number one office design company in London that we’ve had the pleasure of working with. They gave us a unique design just like we wanted, and we loved the first initial draft of the concept. Also have to give them props for Construction, I gave them a tight timeline as we needed to move our team in ASAP, so they pulled double shifts and I didn’t see a drop in quality. Will be to talking to the team when we move up to our next bigger office. Highly recommended A+++

    Mikhail Burdoev

  • Very professional company. Craftex did brilliant minimalistic design and completely refurbished my apartment to the highest quality.

    Vlad

  • I and my husband are very satisfied with Craftex's service and customer support. We bought a house in Hampstead and wanted to redesign and renovate it. On our initial free consultation with Sviat, we found out that we actually can do loft conversion and rear extension and add value to the property straight away.
    We worked with the Craftex design team to bring our vision to life and deliver planning approvals. At that time guys started stripping out to save time on the construction programme as we wanted to move in ASAP.
    We worked with very experienced project director Konstantin who was responsible for all aspects of project delivery from design to construction with a very good eye on details and customer care.
    We saved a lot of money by having professional advice from the start. Project management and quality at Craftex are at the highest level. Many thanks to Craftex Team.

    Lia Lavryk

  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 14001
  • ISO 45001
  • CHAS
  • Constructionline Gold
  • SafeContractor
  • TrustMark
  • FMB
  • NICEIC
  • NAPIT
  • MCS
  • CSCS
  • Considerate Constructors
  • RICS, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
  • RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects
  • ARB, Architects Registration Board
  • Public & Employers' Liability £10M
  • Professional Indemnity £10M
  • ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified

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