Sovyrn Advisory  /  Equipment Financing

Construction equipment financing for contractors who need iron on the site.

Excavators, cranes, heavy equipment, fleet vehicles. We structure asset-based loans and leases that get the right equipment to your job site — without draining the working capital you need to run the project.

Apply to Caliber Intake takes under 5 minutes — no pitch deck required
Iraq War Veteran Wall Street Trader Columbia MBA Former Construction Owner Jason Leisey — Sovyrn Advisory

The right equipment at the right time wins contracts. The wrong structure drains the business.

Every contractor knows the math. You need an excavator to bid on the next municipal contract. A crane to handle the structural work on a commercial build. A second dump truck to stop renting by the day. The equipment is out there. The jobs are waiting. The only question is how you structure the acquisition without tying up the cash you need to actually execute the project.

Construction equipment financing is asset-based lending — the machine itself serves as collateral, which means lenders face less risk and you get better terms than unsecured business loans. A new excavator can run $100,000 to $500,000 depending on size and spec. A crane can hit $1 million or more. Nobody writes that check out of operating cash. Equipment financing spreads that cost over the productive life of the machine — typically 24 to 84 months — so the asset is generating revenue while you're paying it off.

The difference between a good equipment financing structure and a bad one is often tens of thousands of dollars. The wrong lender puts a blanket lien on all your assets. The wrong structure drains cash flow with oversized monthly payments. The wrong term leaves you paying on a machine that's outlived its usefulness. At Sovyrn, I work with a panel of equipment lenders who specialize in construction — and I structure the deal to fit your cash flow, your project pipeline, and your balance sheet, not just to close the transaction.

What we finance

We structure financing for new and used construction equipment across all major categories — purchased from dealers, private sellers, or auctions. If it's used in commercial construction, we can finance it.

From earthmoving to fleet — new and used.

We work with lenders who understand construction equipment values, useful life cycles, and resale markets — which means better terms and faster approvals for contractors.

Excavators

Mini excavators to 35-ton machines. New or used, dealer or private sale. Terms matched to useful life — typically 48 to 84 months for larger units.

Cranes & lifts

Mobile cranes, tower cranes, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers. High-value assets with strong residual values that lenders understand well.

Bulldozers & graders

Dozers, motor graders, scrapers, and compactors. Essential earthmoving iron that holds its value and qualifies for favorable loan-to-value ratios.

Dump trucks & fleet

Single units or full fleet packages. We structure fleet financing that keeps payments predictable and preserves your line of credit for operations.

Concrete equipment

Concrete pumps, mixers, pavers, and finishing equipment. Specialized machinery for contractors who need control over their pour schedules.

Skid steers & loaders

Skid steers, compact track loaders, wheel loaders, and backhoes. Versatile machines that qualify for application-only financing up to $250K in many cases.

Two structures. Different situations. We'll tell you which one fits.

Most advisors push whatever product their lender pays them most to sell. We start with your situation and work backwards to the right structure.

Equipment loan
You own the asset from day one.
Best for: Heavy machinery with long useful life — excavators, cranes, bulldozers that will work for 10+ years.
Ownership: You build equity in the machine as you repay. At loan end, it's yours free and clear.
Tax advantage: Section 179 deduction and bonus depreciation let you deduct the full purchase price in the year of acquisition.
Collateral: The equipment only — no blanket lien on your business assets when structured correctly.
Down payment: Typically 10-20%, though some lenders offer 100% financing for strong credit profiles.
Equipment lease
Lower payments. Flexibility to upgrade.
Best for: Equipment you need for specific projects, or machines where technology changes fast and you want to upgrade every few years.
Ownership: You pay for use, not ownership. Option to buy at end of term at fair market value or predetermined price.
Cash flow: Lower monthly payments than a loan — often no down payment required, which preserves working capital.
Balance sheet: Operating leases keep the asset off your balance sheet, which can improve financial ratios for bonding purposes.
Upgrade path: Return and upgrade at end of term without the hassle of selling used equipment.

How we structure equipment financing.

Equipment financing moves fast when it's structured right. We handle the lender matching so you can focus on the job.

01
Apply through Caliber

Five minutes covering the equipment you need, your intended use, and your business profile. No pitch deck, no lengthy application. For smaller equipment under $250K, many lenders offer application-only approval — no financial statements required.

02
We assess and structure

We evaluate the equipment type, your credit profile, your project pipeline, and your cash flow position. We determine whether a loan or lease serves you better, and which lenders in our panel are the right fit for your specific situation.

03
We match you to the right lender

Not every lender understands construction equipment values, seasonal cash flow, or how pay-when-paid clauses affect your financials. We work with lenders who do. That means better terms, faster approvals, and no blanket liens on assets you didn't offer as collateral.

04
Funded in days, not weeks

Equipment financing typically funds in 3-10 business days once approved. Application-only loans can fund in 24-48 hours. You get the machine, you get to work, and the equipment pays for itself through the revenue it generates.

Know what you need? Let's structure the financing.
Apply through Caliber and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
Apply to Caliber

I've made equipment decisions with real money on the line.

When I ran a construction company, equipment decisions weren't abstract. Whether to buy or lease a piece of iron, what term made sense against a specific project's cash flow, when to finance versus when to rent — these were real decisions with real consequences for the business. I made them with my own money at risk. That experience is in the room on every call.

Most equipment financing advisors know their lender's product sheet. I know construction. I know that a blanket lien from a bank can kill your bonding capacity. I know that the right lease structure can keep a piece of equipment off your balance sheet in ways that actually matter when your surety is reviewing your financials. I know that timing matters — that getting the machine to the site two weeks late can cost you more than the loan.

My job isn't to close a transaction. It's to structure something that actually works for your business. That means matching you with lenders who understand construction, structuring terms that align with your cash flow, and making sure you're not paying for flexibility you don't need or giving up protections you do.

If a loan is right, I'll tell you. If a lease is right, I'll tell you. If neither is the right move right now, I'll tell you that too. The measure of a good advisor isn't how many deals they close — it's how many of those deals actually served the client.

Common questions about construction equipment financing.

What credit score do I need for construction equipment financing? +
Most equipment lenders look for a minimum credit score of 600-650, though requirements vary by lender and loan size. For application-only financing under $250K, some lenders focus more on time in business and revenue than credit score. For larger equipment, a stronger credit profile will get you better rates and terms. Sovyrn works with lenders across the credit spectrum — including options for contractors rebuilding credit — and we'll tell you honestly what you qualify for before you apply.
Can I finance used construction equipment? +
Yes — most equipment financing is actually done on used equipment. Lenders evaluate the equipment's age, condition, hours, and resale value. Well-maintained used iron from a reputable dealer or auction often qualifies for the same terms as new equipment. We work with lenders who finance purchases from dealers, private sellers, and auction platforms including Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanet.
How much down payment is required for equipment financing? +
Down payment requirements typically range from 0% to 20% depending on the lender, the equipment type, and your credit profile. Some lenders offer 100% financing with no down payment for qualified borrowers. Others require 10-20% down, particularly for high-value or older equipment. We'll identify the structure that preserves the most working capital while still getting you competitive terms.
What are current construction equipment financing rates? +
Equipment financing rates in 2025-2026 range from approximately 5% to 18% annually depending on your credit profile, loan size, equipment type, and term length. Contractors with strong credit and established operating histories can qualify for rates at the lower end. The right structure — loan vs. lease, term length, down payment — can have a bigger impact on your total cost than the rate alone. We model the full cost before you commit to anything.
Can I use Section 179 to deduct a financed equipment purchase? +
Yes — Section 179 allows you to deduct the full cost of qualifying equipment in the year it's placed in service, even if you financed the purchase. You don't need to pay cash to take the deduction. This can significantly reduce your effective cost of financing. Bonus depreciation rules also apply to new equipment. We always recommend confirming the specifics with your accountant, but the tax advantage is one of the strongest arguments for financing equipment rather than renting it long-term.
Will equipment financing affect my bonding capacity? +
It depends on how the financing is structured. Equipment loans show as debt on your balance sheet, which affects your working capital ratio — a key metric sureties use to set bonding limits. Properly structured operating leases can keep the liability off your balance sheet, which can preserve bonding capacity. This is one of the most important structural questions for contractors who rely on performance and payment bonds, and it's something we think through before recommending a structure.

Need equipment. Have a plan. Let's fund it.

Apply through Caliber and we'll structure your equipment financing in days, not weeks.

Apply to Caliber Intake takes under 5 minutes — no pitch deck required