Pre-Construction Finance
Access to a nationwide network of 200+ private lenders and specialist funding partners.
Helping developers connect with suitable private lenders for pre-construction finance, pre-development funding and planning costs across Australia.
Is this your situation?
Pre-construction finance is often needed before a project is ready for full construction funding but still requires capital to progress planning, approvals, consultants or site preparation.
You need funding before construction
Funds may be required before the project is ready for full construction finance.
You need to pay consultants
Architects, engineers, planners, surveyors and other consultants may need funding.
The bank says it is too early
Banks can be conservative where the project is not yet construction-ready.
You are holding a development site
Funding may assist with interest, rates, planning and holding costs.
You need site preparation funding
Site works, demolition, services, reports or builder deposits may need capital.
You need a future exit pathway
The exit may be construction finance, DA approval, refinance or sale of the site.
What is pre-construction finance?
Pre-construction finance is short-term private funding used before construction begins, often for planning, consultants, approvals, permits, holding costs and site preparation.
Why pre-construction funding is needed
A project may need money before construction finance is available, especially where the borrower is progressing planning, consultant work, permits, feasibility or builder engagement.
Where private lenders can help
Some private lenders can assess pre-construction scenarios by looking at the site value, planning status, borrower equity, loan amount and exit strategy.
Why banks often decline pre-construction finance.
Banks can be conservative when a project is too early, not yet approved, not construction-ready or does not produce income.
Banks commonly decline because of:
- Project is not construction-ready
- DA or permits are not finalised
- No income from the site
- No presales or construction contract
- Servicing does not fit policy
- Uncertain cost-to-complete
- The scenario does not fit standard bank policy
Private lenders approve based on:
- Current site value
- Planning and approval status
- Borrower contribution and equity
- Purpose of funds
- Loan-to-value position
- Project pathway
- Clear sale, refinance or construction finance exit
Common pre-construction finance scenarios.
These scenarios often require fast private lender assessment rather than a full bank-style application process.
Planning and DA Costs
Funding for planning, DA lodgement, reports and consultants.
Consultant Funding
Funding for architects, engineers, town planners, surveyors and related professionals.
Demolition or Site Preparation
Funding for demolition, clearing, site preparation and early works.
Development Site Holding Costs
Funding for interest, rates, land tax, consultant costs or project holding expenses.
Builder Deposits
Funding for deposits or early commitments before construction starts.
Pre-Construction Refinance
Refinance of an existing site or private facility before construction funding.
Pre-Development Funding
Funding to progress a project before full development approval or construction finance.
Exit via Construction Finance
Funding where the exit is full construction finance once requirements are met.
Urgent Pre-Build Costs
Fast funding where consultants, permits or site costs need to be paid quickly.
Projects private lenders can consider before construction.
Every lender has different appetite. The goal is to match the pre-construction scenario with lenders that understand the site, planning stage and exit strategy.
Development Sites
Pre-construction funding secured against development sites.
Townhouse Projects
Funding before townhouse construction starts.
Duplex Projects
Funding for pre-build costs on duplex sites.
Unit Developments
Pre-development funding for unit projects.
Subdivision Sites
Funding before civil works or titles.
Commercial Sites
Selected commercial pre-construction scenarios.
Mixed-Use Sites
Funding for selected mixed-use planning scenarios.
Land Holdings
Funding against land being held for future development.
What information helps private lenders assess the scenario?
You do not need a full bank-style application to make an initial enquiry, but pre-construction scenarios need enough detail for lenders to understand the site, costs and exit pathway.
Property Address
The site address and details help lenders understand location and security.
Planning Status
DA status, permits, drawings, reports and consultant progress.
Funding Required
The consultant, planning, holding, site preparation or refinance amount required.
Current Value and GRV
Current land value, valuation, appraisals and estimated completed value.
Use of Funds
What the money will be used for and why it is needed now.
Exit Strategy
Construction finance, refinance, DA approval, site sale or another repayment pathway.
Case study: pre-construction funding for planning and consultants.
A developer owned a site and needed funding to pay consultants and progress the project toward DA approval.
The bank would not fund the costs because the project was not yet construction-ready.
The scenario was introduced to a private lender that assessed the site value, equity position and exit via DA approval or refinance.
The borrower accessed short-term funding to progress planning and prepare the site for the next funding stage.
Case study: site holding costs funded before construction.
A borrower was holding a development site while finalising permits and builder pricing.
The borrower needed funds for holding costs, reports and pre-construction expenses before construction funding was available.
The scenario was matched with a private lender that assessed the land value, planning pathway and construction finance exit.
The facility gave the borrower time to complete pre-construction requirements and progress toward construction funding.
A simple process designed for fast scenario assessment.
The goal is to get your pre-construction finance scenario in front of suitable private lenders quickly and receive indicative funding options within 24 hours.
- Submit your scenario
- We match your deal with suitable private lenders
- A private lender will make contact
- Receive indicative funding options within 24 hours
Frequently asked questions about pre-construction finance.
Common questions from developers considering private funding before construction begins.
What is Pre-construction finance?
Pre-construction finance is private funding used to assist with planning, permits, consultants, site preparation and other costs before construction begins.
Can private lenders help with pre-construction finance?
Yes. Private lenders can consider pre-construction finance where the security value, loan-to-value position, borrower contribution and exit strategy are acceptable.
Why would a bank decline this scenario?
Banks may decline where servicing does not fit policy, the project is too early, approvals are incomplete, presales are unavailable or the borrower does not meet standard bank criteria.
Can this funding be used before construction starts?
Yes. Some private lenders can consider funding before construction starts where the site, value, planning status and exit strategy support the loan.
Can this funding be used for consultant or planning costs?
Yes. Depending on the scenario, funding may assist with consultants, planning, permits, design, engineering, holding costs or other pre-development expenses.
Can this funding be used to buy land?
Yes. Some private lenders can consider acquisition or refinance funding secured against suitable land or development sites.
Do I need full financials or tax returns?
Not always. Many private lenders focus on the asset, valuation, project stage, LVR and exit strategy rather than requiring a full bank-style application upfront.
How quickly can the scenario be assessed?
Indicative responses can be obtained within 24hrs where the borrower provides the address, loan amount, project stage, value estimate and exit strategy.
What information is needed for an initial assessment?
Useful information includes the property address, planning status, loan amount required, current value, estimated GRV, current debt and proposed exit strategy.
Can this help a borrower with limited development experience?
Yes. Some private lenders can consider less experienced developers where the project, equity position, consultants, builder, security and exit strategy are strong enough.
What is the usual exit strategy?
The exit may be sale, refinance, construction finance, DA approval, site sale, subdivision, bank refinance or another clear repayment pathway.
Who contacts me after I submit the scenario?
Once the scenario is reviewed and matched with suitable lending partners, a private lender or their representative can contact you directly to confirm requirements, structure and next steps.
Related development finance scenarios.
Every development project is different. Explore other private development finance scenarios that may also match your situation.
Funding Problems
Construction & Development
Land, Planning & Civil Works
Need pre-construction funding?
Submit the key details of the site, planning status, costs required and exit strategy so the scenario can be matched with suitable private lenders.
Submit your pre-construction finance scenario.
Send through the key details of the site, planning status, costs required and exit strategy.