Construction loan rates in 2026

Quick answer

Construction financing rates vary by product. For strong borrowers, SBA loans and equipment financing start around 8–10%, commercial construction loans price off a benchmark plus a spread, working capital runs higher, and fix-and-flip loans land near 9–12% plus 1–3 points.

The biggest levers on your rate are whether the loan is secured, your credit and revenue, and your time in business.

There's no single "construction loan rate," and any site that quotes one number is guessing.

What you pay depends on the product and your profile. A secured equipment loan and an unsecured cash-flow advance are priced in completely different worlds, even for the same contractor.

Here's where rates sit by product and what actually moves your number.

Key takeaways

  • Rates are set by product first — secured loans price far below unsecured ones.
  • SBA loans carry the lowest rates and longest terms; fix-and-flip carries the highest plus points.
  • Your credit, revenue, time in business, and down payment fine-tune the rate within each product.
  • Comparing two or three lenders is the simplest way to shave your rate.

Typical construction financing rates by product

These are general ranges for qualified borrowers. Your offer can land above or below depending on your numbers.

ProductTypical starting rateTypical term
SBA 7(a) / 504~9–11%10–25 years
Equipment financing~8.99%+2–7 years
Commercial constructionBenchmark + spread (variable)12–24 months
Business line of creditLow double digitsRevolving
Invoice factoring1–3% factor fee per invoicePer invoice
Fix & flip / hard money~9–12% + 1–3 points12–24 months

What affects your rate

Security comes first. A loan backed by equipment or real estate prices well below an unsecured one, because the lender's risk is lower.

Then your profile. Personal and business credit, time in business, and revenue all move the number within a product's range.

The product itself sets the ballpark. No amount of strong credit makes a short-term hard money loan as cheap as an SBA loan — they're built for different jobs.

How to get a lower rate

Secure the loan when you can. Put more money down. Show steady revenue through clean bank statements. And fix what you can on your credit before applying.

Then compare. Run your scenario through the calculator below, then get real quotes from a few lenders — even a fraction of a point compounds over a multi-year term.

Construction Loan Calculator

$50K$5M
6%18%
3 yrs25 yrs

Monthly Payment

$4,086

Total Interest

$93,224

Total Paid

$343,224

Estimates only. Actual loan payments depend on your lender's exact rate, fees, and underwriting. Pre-qualify with multiple lenders to see real offers.

Rates by financing type

Each product has its own rate dynamics. Dig into the one you need.

Compare rates by product

Compare lender rates

Construction lenders compared by rate and terms

1
eBoost Partners Best Overall

Best Overall — Same-Day Funding Across Six Loan Types Ad

From 1%/mo Up to $10,000,000 No hard pull
2

Best for Equipment Financing

From 8.99% Up to $500,000 600+ FICO
3
Live Oak Bank ★ 4.6

#1 SBA Lender for Construction

From 9.5% Up to $5,000,000 650+ FICO
4
Bluevine ★ 4.4

Best Line of Credit for Cash Flow

From 7.8% (simple interest) Up to $250,000 625+ FICO
5

Best Invoice Factoring for Contractors

From 1–3% factor fee Up to $5,000,000+ No hard pull
6
Kiavi ★ 4.4

Best for Fix & Flip / Hard Money

From 9.25% Up to $3,000,000 660+ FICO

To see your real rate across several lenders with no hard credit check, eBoost Partners quotes multiple options through its construction business financing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical construction business loan rates in 2026?

It depends on the product. SBA loans and equipment financing for strong borrowers start around 8–10%, working-capital products run higher, and fix-and-flip or hard money lands around 9–12% plus points. Your exact rate depends on credit, revenue, time in business, and collateral.

What affects my construction loan rate the most?

Whether the loan is secured, your personal and business credit, time in business, revenue, and the product itself. Secured loans (equipment, real estate, SBA) price lower than unsecured working capital.

Are SBA loans the cheapest option?

Usually yes. The government guarantee lets SBA lenders offer the lowest rates and longest terms in business lending. The trade-off is a 30–90 day process, so they're not for urgent needs.

How can I get a lower rate?

Secure the loan with equipment or real estate, improve your credit, show steady revenue, put more money down, and compare multiple lenders. Even a fraction of a point matters over a multi-year term.

Are construction loan rates fixed or variable?

Both exist. Equipment and SBA term loans are often fixed; commercial construction loans and lines of credit are frequently variable, tied to a benchmark plus a spread.