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Contractor Mortgage Specialist

Mortgages for Contractors

Day rate contractors earn well but mainstream lenders rarely assess income correctly. We find lenders who use your actual day rate to calculate affordability, not just what appears on a payslip.

Day rate assessedContract gaps acceptedIR35 understoodNo upfront fees
Prefer to call? 0844 884 9748 (Mon-Sat 9am-7pm)
Step 1 of 3Type Selection

What type of mortgage do you need?

Select the option that best describes your property financing requirement. Our brokers specialise in complex London and international structures.

Roger Cooper

"Our goal is to understand your unique situation. Select a category and we'll match you with the right product and lender."

— Roger Cooper, Senior Mortgage Adviser

Why contractors need a specialist mortgage broker

High street lenders are built for employees on fixed salaries. Contractors earn more but get penalised by lenders who do not understand how contracting works.

Day rate used to calculate affordability

Most high street lenders look at payslips and treat contractors poorly. We work with lenders who multiply your day rate by 46-48 weeks to arrive at an annualised income figure, which typically produces a much higher borrowing capacity.

Contract gaps are not a problem

Taking time between contracts is normal. We find lenders who accept short gaps in your contract history, particularly if you have a strong track record and a new contract in place or imminent.

CIS contractors treated fairly

Construction Industry Scheme workers often have tax deducted at source but their net income looks lower on paper. We know which lenders understand CIS pay structures and will assess your gross contract income correctly.

Umbrella company income accepted

Working through an umbrella company creates an unusual payslip structure that confuses many lenders. We find lenders who look past the umbrella structure to your underlying contract rate.

IR35 understood

Whether you are inside or outside IR35, we advise on how your status affects your mortgage application and which lenders are most accommodating. Some lenders are simply not set up for IR35 complexity and we steer clear of them.

Only 12 months contracting history needed

You do not need years of accounts. Many specialist lenders will consider contractors with as little as 12 months of contracting history, sometimes less if you are coming from a permanent role in the same field.

How it works

From first enquiry to mortgage offer, we handle everything. Most contractor applications complete within 4-6 weeks.

01

Tell us about your contract and day rate

We review your current contract, day rate, contracting history, and how you operate (limited company, umbrella, or CIS). This gives us a complete picture before approaching any lender.

02

We identify the right lenders for your situation

We search 90+ lenders and shortlist those who assess contractor income properly using your day rate. The difference in borrowing capacity between the right and wrong lender can be substantial.

03

We present your options clearly

We explain the best mortgage options in plain English: rate, monthly cost, total cost over the deal period. We make a clear recommendation based on your situation and priorities.

04

We manage the full application

From submission to mortgage offer, we handle everything. We know how to present contractor income to underwriters and anticipate the questions lenders ask. Most contractor applications complete within 4-6 weeks.

Contractor mortgage FAQs

How do lenders calculate income for contractors?
It depends on the lender. High street banks typically look at your payslips or accounts, which often understates a contractor's real earnings. Specialist lenders instead take your day rate and multiply it by around 46-48 working weeks per year to produce an annualised income figure. For example, a £500 per day rate produces roughly £115,000-£120,000 of assessed income under this method, which is far more reflective of what you actually earn.
Will a gap between contracts affect my mortgage application?
It can, but it depends on the lender and the gap. A gap of a few weeks between contracts is generally fine with most specialist lenders. Longer gaps may require explanation, particularly if they are recent. Having a new contract in place when you apply helps considerably. We advise on the best timing and lender choice based on your specific contract history.
Can I get a mortgage if I work through an umbrella company?
Yes. Some lenders are comfortable with umbrella company workers as long as you can demonstrate a consistent contracting history. The key is finding lenders who look at your underlying contract rate rather than the net payments you receive through the umbrella. We know which lenders work well for umbrella workers and how to structure your application.
Does it matter whether I am inside or outside IR35?
It matters to some lenders more than others. Being inside IR35 means your income is taxed like employment income, which some lenders find easier to assess. Outside IR35 with a limited company can complicate things if a lender does not understand contractor structures. We choose lenders based on your specific IR35 status and advise on how to present your income most favourably.
How long do I need to have been contracting to get a mortgage?
Most specialist contractor lenders want to see at least 12 months of contracting history, though some will consider less if you are moving from a permanent role in the same industry. Having a current contract with a reasonable time left to run (typically 3-6 months minimum remaining) also helps. We identify the right lenders based on where you are in your contracting career.
Can CIS contractors get a mortgage without two years of self-employed accounts?
Yes. CIS contractors are often treated differently from the self-employed by specialist lenders. Some will assess CIS income using your day rate or average CIS payments over 12 months rather than requiring two years of full accounts. This makes a significant difference for CIS workers who have only recently started contracting or changed their trading structure.

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Ready to find your contractor mortgage?

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