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How AL Elite works for landscaping business loans
- Tell us about it. Your trade, where you operate, roughly how many jobs a month you quote, and whether you need capital, a customer-financing program or both. No credit pull.
- We match you. Your request goes to lenders in our network who work with contractors in your trade and state. For customer financing, we set up a program; for capital, we match you with business lenders.
- You choose and apply with the lender. Rates, terms and the decision come from the lender. For customer-financing programs, there's no cost to join and no obligation to use it on every job.
Equipment season
Commercial mowers, trucks, trailers, skid steers and mini-excavators for hardscape are all financed against the asset through equipment financing and truck financing. Dealer promotions on mowers are common in late winter; compare them with an independent lender's rate before signing.
Spring ramp-up and winter
Hiring, fuel, materials and insurance all land in March and April before the first invoices. Working capital sized to the ramp-up, repaid by midsummer, is the standard structure. For winter, a line of credit drawn in the off-season beats carrying debt all year. Snow-removal contracts, where you have them, change the picture and lenders like to see them.
Growing into hardscape
Patios, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens are higher-ticket and less seasonal than maintenance. The equipment is more expensive and customers often need financing of their own; see offering financing to customers and the homeowner page for landscaping financing.
Example payments on landscaping business loans
Illustrative arithmetic only. Business lenders quote their own rates, fees and structures (some use factor rates rather than APR; ask for the APR equivalent).
| Amount | Example APR | 12 mo | 24 mo | 36 mo | 60 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | 8.50% | $1,308.30 | $681.84 | $473.51 | $307.75 |
| 12.50% | $1,336.24 | $709.61 | $501.80 | $337.47 | |
| 18.50% | $1,378.77 | $752.49 | $546.06 | $384.99 | |
| $30,000 | 8.50% | $2,616.59 | $1,363.67 | $947.03 | $615.50 |
| 12.50% | $2,672.49 | $1,419.22 | $1,003.61 | $674.94 | |
| 18.50% | $2,757.54 | $1,504.98 | $1,092.11 | $769.99 | |
| $60,000 | 8.50% | $5,233.19 | $2,727.34 | $1,894.05 | $1,230.99 |
| 12.50% | $5,344.97 | $2,838.44 | $2,007.22 | $1,349.88 | |
| 18.50% | $5,515.09 | $3,009.96 | $2,184.22 | $1,539.97 |
Example monthly payments using standard amortization with no fees. The APRs shown are illustrative tiers, not offers. Your rate, fees and term are set by the lender and depend on your credit profile, income and state.
What lenders look for
Every lender sets its own criteria. The things that come up most often:
- Time in business. Many business lenders want at least one to two years of operating history; some products accept less.
- Revenue. Annual revenue thresholds vary by lender and product. Bank statements are the usual proof.
- Business and personal credit. Smaller contractors are often underwritten partly on the owner's personal credit.
- Licensing and insurance. A current contractor's license (where required) and general liability insurance.
- State. Lender availability and product rules vary by state. We match you with lenders who serve your location.
Frequently asked questions
What financing is available for landscaping companies?
Equipment and truck financing, spring working capital, lines of credit for the off-season and SBA-backed loans for growth. AL Elite matches landscapers with lenders for each.
Can I finance commercial mowers?
Yes, through equipment lenders or dealer programs. Compare dealer promotional rates with an independent offer.
How do landscapers get through winter financially?
A line of credit drawn in the off-season and repaid in summer, snow contracts where available, and keeping fixed costs low. Lenders look favourably on a documented seasonal plan.
Is AL Elite a lender for landscaping business loans?
No. AL Elite is a matching service. We route your request to business lenders in our network who fund landscaping business loans, and they set the terms and make the decision. Lenders pay us for introductions; you don't.
Does requesting options affect my business or personal credit?
Submitting a request to AL Elite does not pull credit. Business lenders typically run a soft inquiry to pre-qualify and a hard inquiry at formal application. We tell you each lender's approach before you proceed.