Day rate or CIS — construction contractor income is assessable. Specialist mortgage advice for site managers, trades, surveyors, and all construction professionals.
You invoice through a limited company at a daily or weekly rate. Income is assessed on contract rate × working days. No CIS deductions apply. This route typically suits site managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, and senior construction professionals.
You’re registered under the Construction Industry Scheme and have 20% deducted from payments at source. Income is assessed on gross CIS earnings from deduction statements, not net pay. This route applies to most trades and subcontractors.
For day rate construction contractors, the calculation is the same as other contract professions: day rate × 230 working days = annualised income × income multiple. A site manager at £400/day annualises to £92,000 and could borrow up to £414,000 at 4.5×.
For CIS contractors, lenders use gross CIS earnings from the last 12 months of deduction statements — the figure before the 20% deduction, not the net payment. This is the critical distinction between a specialist CIS lender and a standard one.
Figures are illustrative. Actual borrowing depends on lender criteria, deposit, credit profile, and individual circumstances.
Yes. Construction contractors can access specialist mortgages whether they work via day rate limited company or through the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Both routes are understood by specialist lenders.
Day rate contractors operating through a limited company are assessed on contract rate × working days. CIS contractors are assessed on gross CIS earnings from deduction statements. The right approach depends on how you work.
If both income types are active, the dominant income source typically determines the primary assessment route. A broker conversation before applying is important in this situation.
Seasonal gaps and gaps between projects are common in construction and understood by specialist lenders. Consistent 12-month earnings history matters more than an unbroken work record.
Day rate or CIS — we know which route works for your situation.
Book a free call →Chris
CII CF1 · CF6 · ER1 — Contractor mortgage specialist
30 years inside UK mortgage lending. Chris works with construction contractors across all trades and disciplines — day rate and CIS.
Page reviewed July 2026.