How to Get a Mortgage as a Construction or Trade Worker

If you work in construction or the trades, you probably know the feeling — hard graft, solid income, but lenders don’t always “get it.”

Whether you’re paid via CIS, PAYE, or an agency, proving your earnings doesn’t have to be complicated.

At Mortgage Knight, we work with lenders who specialise in construction income — helping builders, electricians, plumbers, and tradespeople buy or remortgage with confidence.

CIS Mortgages — Using Gross Pay Instead of Net Income

If you’re paid under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), some lenders will use your gross pay (before tax and deductions) rather than your net profit or tax returns.

That means you can often borrow more than self-employed assessments would allow.

Documents lenders may ask for:

Last 3–6 months of CIS payslips or statements
Bank statements showing income received
Possibly your SA302s (if you’ve filed them already)

Example:

Jack earns £200 per day, 5 days a week. Instead of using last year’s net income, we helped him secure a mortgage based on his £52,000 gross CIS earnings — increasing his affordability by over £60,000.

PAYE Tradespeople — Simple and Straightforward

If you’re on PAYE, even through an agency, the process is much like any other employed borrower.

You’ll need:

Latest payslips (3 months)
P60 (if available)
Proof of consistent hours or contracts

If your income varies with overtime or site bonuses, Mortgage Knight knows which lenders take average overtime or variable pay into account.

Agency and Umbrella Workers

Working through an agency or umbrella company can make income look inconsistent — but some lenders specialise in this setup.

They often use your average weekly income over the past 3–6 months to calculate affordability.

Short-term contracts can still qualify
Consecutive contracts count as ongoing employment
Day-rate contractors can be assessed similarly to CIS workers

Limited Company Contractors

If you operate through a limited company, you can be assessed in one of two ways:

Salary + dividends, or
Overall company profit, if you retain earnings.
Some lenders (like Clydesdale and Metro Bank) even include retained profits for affordability.
Mortgage Knight helps you structure your accounts and apply with lenders who understand your setup.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Tradespeople often have strong income but patchy documentation. Here’s how to prepare:

Keep your CIS statements or payslips organised monthly.
Maintain a consistent working pattern (avoid unexplained gaps).
Have your tax returns and UTR up to date.
Save a clear deposit trail (especially if paid in cash occasionally).

We’ll review your paperwork before applying to ensure everything lines up — so your case lands with the right lender, first time.

Why Use a Broker Who Understands Construction

Many banks reject good applicants simply because they don’t understand CIS or agency pay.

At Mortgage Knight, we:

Work with over 90 UK lenders, including CIS specialists
Know which ones accept gross pay instead of net
Handle the application and documentation for you

You focus on your work — we’ll sort the mortgage.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Jack – CIS Subcontractor (Electrician)

Jack’s last year’s accounts showed only £28,000 net, but his gross CIS pay was £52,000. Mortgage Knight found a lender who used his gross figure, boosting his approval limit by £60,000.

Case Study 2: Maria – Agency Plumber

Maria worked through two agencies with weekly shifts. Using her last 12 weeks’ payslips, we secured her a NatWest mortgage — no long-term contract needed.

Case Study 3: Dean – Limited Company Builder

Dean ran his own small building company. We used his retained profits as income with Clydesdale, allowing him to remortgage at a lower rate and release funds for a van upgrade.