On the Tools, Off the Radar” — Why Smart Tradespeople Are Missing Mortgage & Finance Opportunities
- sjohnston90
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Meet Tom.
He runs a successful electrical contracting firm in Maidstone turning over £600,000+ a year.
He’s got vans on the road, three subcontractors, and a healthy client base.
Tom’s recently had a second child.
He’s looking to buy a small rental to secure a bit of long-term wealth and upgrade his work van while he’s at it.
But when he tried to speak to his bank?
❌ Endless paperwork.
❌ Questions he didn’t have time for.
❌ Confusion over his income structure.
Sound familiar?
The Problem: “Time-Poor & Structurally Overlooked”
Many successful tradespeople retain income in their company.
They take a modest salary, top up with dividends, and reinvest profits into stock, tools, or their team.
It’s smart business but high street lenders don’t always get it.
Most banks still rely on:
Last year’s salary & dividends
P60s and SA302s
Old-school affordability models
So if your income is retained or varies by season, the system often flags it as “incomplete.”
What Tom Really Needed
✔️ A buy-to-let mortgage that recognised his company profit, not just his drawings
✔️ Quick access to vehicle finance that didn’t eat into working capital
✔️ A broker who could work around his schedule not against it
The Solution: Simple, Structured, and Suited to Trades
When Tom came to me, we sorted things quickly:
Buy-to-Let Lending via Director-Income Route
We worked with a lender that underwrites based on full company performance — not just net drawings. This meant Tom could borrow what he needed without maxing out his salary.
Commercial Vehicle Finance
Rather than buying the van outright and draining cash flow, we used asset finance. The repayments were fixed, affordable, and didn’t interfere with his credit score or mortgage.
Time-Saving Support
We handled all paperwork in the background. Tom did most of the process over WhatsApp between jobs — quick approvals, minimal disruption.
Results That Worked
✅ Buy-to-let purchase agreed
✅ Monthly vehicle cost under £350
✅ No delays, no missed work, no stress
Tom’s now set up with a longer-term wealth plan and better day-to-day tools for his team — all without putting pressure on his cash reserves.
Is This You?
If you’re a builder, electrician, plumber or contractor and you:
Retain income in your business
Are too busy to chase forms and phone calls
Want to invest in property or vehicles without draining your cash
…then you don’t need a bank manager.
You need a broker who gets it.
📞 Let’s Talk – No Suits, No Sales Pitch
Book a free 15-minute chat:
We’ll talk plain English, fit around your schedule, and make sure your finance works as hard as you do.
Disclaimer: This blog is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. All finance is subject to status and affordability checks. Stuart Johnston is an Appointed Representative of Kingston Finance Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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