The best loan for your plumbing business depends on what it's for. Merchant Fund Express is best for fast capital based on your deposits, from FICO 500. OnDeck fits a loan with predictable payments once you have a year in business. Bluevine works for a materials line of credit, even with an ITIN. National Funding covers hydro jetters, cameras and big equipment. Accion Opportunity Fund suits you if you have 2 years and want coaching in Spanish. And the SBA 7(a) is for buying another plumbing company or a building, if every owner is a citizen.
Plumbing has a very particular cash flow: emergencies with no warning, materials you pay for before you get paid, commercial contracts that hold back retainage, and seasons like winter, when frozen pipes send calls through the roof. Here we compare each option so you can choose based on your business, not the first ad you see.
Key takeaways
- For expensive equipment (hydro jetters, cameras, trenchless machines), equipment financing usually costs less than working capital.
- For materials and payroll that go up and down, a line of credit is more flexible than a fixed loan.
- OnDeck lends $5,000 to $400,000 and asks for 1 year, $100,000 in annual sales and a 625 FICO.
- Bluevine offers lines up to $250,000 to LLCs and corporations and accepts an ITIN plus EIN.
- Accion Opportunity Fund lends up to $250,000 and offers coaching in English and Spanish, but asks for 2 years and $300,000 in sales.
- SBA 7(a) loans usually cost less, but since March 2026 they require owners who are 100% U.S. citizens or nationals.
The best options for plumbers, ranked
- Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). It reviews your sales and deposits, not just your credit, and decisions often come in 2 to 4 hours. It funds $5,000 to $5,000,000, works with credit from FICO 500 and, in most cases, doesn't require collateral. It fits buying water heaters and pipe in bulk, covering payroll while a general contractor pays you, or kicking off a large commercial contract. It accepts ITIN applicants and offers Spanish-speaking support.
- OnDeck (term loan). From $5,000 to $400,000 with terms up to 24 months. It asks for one year in business, $100,000 in annual sales, a 625 personal FICO and a business checking account. It can fund the same day if you close before a set cutoff on business days (checked October 2026).
- Bluevine (line of credit). Up to $250,000. It asks for $10,000 in monthly revenue, a 625 FICO, 12 months in operation and an LLC or corporation; it doesn't serve Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota or U.S. territories. It accepts an SSN or ITIN, plus an EIN (checked October 2026).
- National Funding (equipment financing). Finances new or used equipment up to $150,000, up to 100% of the cost with no down payment required, with monthly payments and terms of 2 to 5 years. It says most of its customers have a FICO of 600 or higher (checked October 2026).
- Accion Opportunity Fund (term loan). This CDFI lends up to $250,000 with terms up to 36 months and no prepayment penalty. It asks for 2 years in business, $300,000 or more in annual sales and that all shareholders be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It offers coaching in English and Spanish (checked October 2026).
- SBA 7(a) loan. To buy another plumbing company, a building or big equipment over a long term, the 7(a) is usually cheapest if you qualify. It takes weeks and, since March 1, 2026, requires that 100% of owners be U.S. citizens or nationals.
How we chose
We don't give ratings or scores. We compared every option on the same criteria: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, ITIN acceptance, documents, amounts and collateral. The data comes from each company's official site, checked in October 2026; if a fact couldn't be confirmed, we didn't publish it. Read the full method in how we rank business funding options.
If you'd rather first understand how each type of financing works for your trade, read our guide to business loans for plumbers.
Comparison table
| Option | Minimum time | Credit | Amounts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFE (recommended) | Reviewed based on your deposits | From FICO 500 | $5,000 to $5,000,000 | Fast capital |
| OnDeck (term) | 1 year | 625+ | $5,000 to $400,000 | Predictable payments |
| Bluevine (line) | 12 months | 625+ | Up to $250,000 | Materials and variable payroll |
| National Funding (equipment) | Not published | Most 600+ | Up to $150,000 | Jetters, cameras, machinery |
| Accion Opportunity Fund | 2 years | Looks beyond your score | Up to $250,000 | Growth with coaching in Spanish |
| SBA 7(a) | Per the bank | Good, with history | Up to $5,000,000 | Large long-term purchases |
Which option to use for each plumbing need
- A hydro jetter, inspection camera or trenchless equipment: equipment financing. That gear lets you bill higher-value jobs, and a 2- to 5-year payment usually fits better than a short loan.
- Another service van: a commercial vehicle loan or equipment financing; fast capital is for the upfit and the wrap. Our plumber fleet vehicle example walks through it step by step.
- A commercial or new-construction contract: the general contractor may pay you in 30 or 60 days and hold back retainage until the end. A line of credit or fast capital covers materials and techs in the meantime.
- Water heater and pipe inventory: buying in bulk ahead of a price increase can be worth it if your turnover is fast.
- Winter season: if pipes freeze in your area, demand spikes. Having a line open before the cold lets you hire and buy without waiting.
- Hiring your second or third tech: plan for at least two or three months of payroll before that tech brings in enough jobs.
Common mistakes when financing a plumbing business
- Financing expensive equipment with short-term money. A jetter pays for itself over years of jobs. If you buy it with a loan of a few months, the payment can choke your cash flow.
- Extending credit without control. Many plumbers finish the job and get paid weeks later. Invoice the same day, take cards and ask for a deposit on large jobs. Every day you shave off collections is money you don't need to borrow.
- Mixing accounts. If you collect into your personal account or keep cash without depositing it, funders can't see your real sales.
- Letting your license and insurance lapse. Many funders and general contractors ask for proof of license and liability coverage. An expired license can stall your application.
- Applying in your worst month. Funders look at your recent months. If you can, apply after your busy season.
If you need a revolving option, compare our pick of the best line of credit for plumbers.
How to get your plumbing business ready 60 days before applying
A few weeks of preparation can change the offer you get. If it's not an emergency, do this before you ask for money:
- Deposit everything into the business account. Cash payments, customer checks, Zelle transfers and card payments. The more complete your deposit history, the better your business looks.
- Avoid negative-balance days. Frequent overdrafts are one of the first things funders check. Leave a cushion in the account, even a small one.
- Collect what you're owed. Call customers with old invoices. Lowering your receivables improves cash flow and sometimes reduces how much you need to borrow.
- Check your personal credit. Fix errors and pay down small card balances that are maxed out. One point won't change everything, but a corrected error can matter.
- Have your numbers for the year ready. Monthly sales, your biggest customers and how many techs you have. If you can explain your business in two minutes, the conversation with any funder goes faster.
- Set the exact amount and use. "I need a jetter and two months of payroll for a new tech" gets evaluated better than "I need money to grow."
Documents you'll be asked for
- Business bank statements for the last three to six months.
- Current plumbing license and liability insurance.
- Owner's ID, SSN or ITIN depending on the funder, EIN and LLC or corporation documents.
- Recent tax returns, especially for a CDFI, bank or SBA loan.
- An equipment quote, if you're financing machinery.
- Signed contracts or receivables, if the money is for a commercial project.
A tip: if you have reviews, recurring contracts with property managers or maintenance agreements, mention them. That's repeat revenue, and it gives any funder confidence.
When the work won't wait, Merchant Fund Express reviews your sales and deposits, offers Spanish-speaking support, and applying is free with no impact to your credit: you can apply with Merchant Fund Express online. Prefer Spanish? Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best loan for a plumber who's just starting out?
With less than a year in business, options like OnDeck and Bluevine don't apply yet, since they ask for 12 months. Look at equipment financing, which is secured by the tool itself, sales-based financing if you already have steady deposits, or a microloan from a community organization.
Can I get a loan to buy a hydro jetter?
Yes. Equipment financing is the most common way: the equipment secures the payment and terms usually run several years. National Funding, for example, finances equipment up to $150,000 on 2- to 5-year terms with no down payment required, according to its site.
Is a line of credit or a loan better for a plumber?
For materials and payroll that change every month, a line of credit, because you only use what you need. For a one-time purchase, like equipment or a van, a fixed-payment loan or equipment financing is clearer and easier to plan around.
Are there plumbing business loans for ITIN holders?
Some funders accept an ITIN. Bluevine, for example, asks for an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN for its line of credit, if you're an LLC or corporation and meet its other requirements. Our recommended funder also accepts ITIN applicants. SBA 7(a) loans aren't an option if any owner isn't a U.S. citizen or national. For questions about your status, talk to an immigration attorney.
How do I cover materials on a commercial job that pays in 60 days?
With a line of credit or working capital that covers materials and payroll until the payment arrives. Before you sign the contract, check how much retainage the general contractor holds and when it's released, so you can figure out how long you need to finance.
Do I need collateral for a plumbing business loan?
It depends. Equipment financing uses the equipment itself as collateral. Many working capital products don't require collateral, though they usually ask for a personal guarantee. Our recommended funder doesn't require collateral in most cases.