5 best business credit cards for contractors and construction companies

Construction businesses can have tight margins and unpredictable payment schedules. Choosing a business credit card designed for these challenges allows you to take on bigger projects, purchase materials at the right time, and keep operations running smoothly between client payments.

Access to credit

Construction projects often require you to cover upfront costs before you see any revenue. A business credit card gives you immediate access to working capital without the lengthy approval process of traditional loans or business lines of credit. When a client approves a change order or you spot a deal on bulk materials, you can act quickly rather than having to wait for financing.

Business credit cards also smooth out payment cycles common in construction. While you might wait 30 to 60 days for payments, your suppliers and subcontractors often expect payment much sooner. Having access to credit means you can maintain good relationships and keep projects moving forward, even when clients pay slowly.

On top of that, the purchasing power of a business credit card allows you to take on larger projects. Instead of turning down work because you lack the upfront capital, you can accept contracts knowing you have the financial backing to complete them.

Earn rewards

The best business credit cards for rewards offer cash back or points on common business purchases. Cards that provide higher rewards rates on categories that your business spends within can add up over time. If your business spends $10,000 per month on materials and fuel, a 2% cash back rate returns $2,400 annually.

Some cards offer bonus rewards on specific spending categories that align with construction purchases. These might include hardware stores, office supply purchases, or software for managing job sites. By selecting a card that rewards your biggest expense categories, necessary spending can lead to valuable rewards.

Build business credit

Establishing strong business credit makes it easier to obtain better financing options as your company grows. Regular use and on-time payments of a business credit card helps build business credit without using your personal credit history. This separation protects your personal assets and credit score while demonstrating financial responsibility.

Strong business credit can lead to higher credit limits, better interest rates, and access to equipment loans or lines of credit when you need them. For construction businesses planning to bid on larger projects or expand service areas, a solid credit history proves to potential lenders and partners that you can responsibly manage finances.

Beyond purchasing power, business credit cards can help address the operational challenges construction companies regularly face. From tracking project costs to managing team spending, these tools help contractors run efficient and profitable businesses.

Improved cash flow management

Cash flow gaps can be difficult for construction businesses to manage. You may pay for materials and labor weeks before receiving payment from clients, creating a cash shortage. Business credit cards provide a buffer between your expenses and income, letting you maintain operations without depleting savings.

The biggest improvement to cash flow management comes from real-time transaction data that business credit cards provide. Instead of waiting for monthly bank statements or manually updating spreadsheets, you can see how much you're spending, when payments are due, and how expenses align with incoming revenue in a single dashboard at any time. This visibility helps you spot potential shortfalls and adjust spending before they become issues.

The best business credit cards have dashboards showing your available credit, current balance, and payment due dates across all cards. For cards that integrate with expense management software, you can track costs by project, monitor which jobs are exceeding costs, and identify seasonal spending patterns. This data helps you make informed decisions about strategic investments, such as new projects or timing major purchases.

With the right corporate card program, you might discover that certain vendors offer early payment discounts you've been missing or that consolidating purchases with specific suppliers could reduce costs. By analyzing spending patterns across projects, you can better anticipate cash needs and secure additional financing if needed before any shortages occur.

Expense tracking for project budgeting

Accurate project costing determines your profitability. With a business credit card that automatically records and categorizes every transaction, you can simplify job costing. Instead of collecting and entering receipts manually into a spreadsheet, you get real-time visibility into project expenses.

Modern business credit cards integrate with accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, automatically syncing transactions to the right job codes and expense categories. This integration eliminates the manual data entry that introduces errors. When you need to review costs for a specific project, your data is already organized and accessible.

Monthly statements break down spending by category, vendor, and user, allowing you to easily spot where costs exceeded estimates before they impact profitability. You can compare actual expenses against estimates instantly, adjusting bids for future projects based on real data.

Embedded spend limits

Construction projects involve multiple team members making purchases, including project managers buying materials, foremen fueling vehicles, and office staff ordering supplies. Business credit cards let you issue employee cards with custom expense policies, enabling you to control costs while giving your team the freedom they need to make purchases for your business.

You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits for each cardholder based on their role and responsibilities, or set other spend controls, such as by vendor, category, or department. A project manager might have a $5,000 monthly limit for materials, while an administrative assistant has a $500 limit for office supplies, and each can’t spend outside of those categories. These controls prevent overspending and eliminate the need for employee expense reimbursements.

Expense approval workflows

Many business credit cards allow you to build approval workflows that ensure expenses get the right approvals. Before a large purchase is paid for, the card can require approval from a supervisor, an owner, or both. This prevents unauthorized spending while maintaining purchasing speed.

These workflows work especially well for construction companies managing multiple projects, and can help ensure progress doesn’t stop because an approval wasn’t issued. You can set rules requiring approval for purchases over certain amounts, from specific vendors, or in particular categories. For example, any equipment rental over $1,000 might need project manager approval, while material purchases over $5,000 require owner sign-off.

Not all business credit cards work well for construction companies. The best options combine high credit limits, approval workflows, and other spend management features that address the challenges contractors face. Here are the top options that make a difference for contractors and construction companies.

Brex

The Brex corporate card offers contractors and construction businesses a comprehensive financial platform that helps solve many of the operational challenges construction companies face. The platform combines corporate cards with expense management, bill pay, and accounting automation software, helping contractors maintain control over spending while scaling operations.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• Personal guarantee requirement: None
• Typical spending limit: 10-20x higher than traditional business credit cards
• Minimum credit score: N/A
• APR: N/A, charge card

Key features of the Brex corporate card

• Earn rewards on all spending: Brex rewards every purchase your business makes, with bonus multipliers for categories like software and travel booked through Brex. You can redeem points as statement credits or cash back to improve working capital, or apply them toward travel and other business expenses.
• Issue physical and virtual cards: With Brex, your team gets the payment flexibility they need with both physical and virtual card options. Physical cards work for on-site purchases at hardware stores, while virtual corporate cards handle online orders and vendor payments. Set strict spending limits on virtual cards for one-time or recurring purchases, keeping every transaction within policy.
• Automated expense reporting: Stop tracking down expense receipts and manually matching transactions. Brex automatically generates receipts and matches them to expenses, while Brex AI reviews expenses to approve routine in-policy purchases and flag unusual activity. This automated expense reporting saves hours of administrative work each week.
• Custom embedded spend controls: Each employee card comes with customizable controls that prevent out-of-policy spending before it happens. Brex enables you to set limits by categories, vendors, transaction amounts, or other parameters that match your company policies. Project managers can have different rules than office staff, reflecting their actual needs.
• Build complex approval workflows: Create approval chains that follow your company structure, whether it’s an employee expense or invoice. Brex bill pay automates invoice processing by routing expenses through appropriate approvers based on amount, vendor, or expense type. Large material purchases might require project manager and owner approval, while routine supplies process automatically.
• Track expenses and budgets: With Brex, you can monitor spending in real-time across all projects and teams. Brex’s spend management software shows how each team or project tracks against budgets, letting you reallocate funds before overruns occur. This allows you to eliminate month-end surprises, because you found a project exceeded its budget weeks ago.
• Accounting automations: Brex AI suggests GL coding, maps merchants to appropriate categories, and populates expense fields without manual input. Plus, with direct integration with your accounting software or ERP, transactions flow seamlessly into your financial records without manual data entry.

Why this card is suited for contractors and construction companies

By combining high credit limits, granular spending and approval controls, and employee cards, the Brex corporate card is the best option for contractors and construction companies. Unlike traditional corporate cards that charge per-user fees or limit the number of cards you can issue, Brex lets you give every project manager, foreman, and authorized employee their own card with customized spending rules.

Real-time visibility into expenses across all job sites and projects sets Brex apart for construction businesses. The platform shows exactly where money flows as purchases happen, not weeks later when statements arrive. These immediate insights allow you to spot cost overruns on specific projects before they impact profitability, adjust budgets between jobs, and make informed decisions about resource allocation.

First National Bank Business Edition® Secured Visa Card

The First National Bank Business Edition Secured Visa Card helps construction businesses and contractors establish or rebuild credit through a secured card program. This option works well for newer contractors or those recovering from past financial challenges who need to build credibility with lenders and suppliers.

Key details

• Annual fee: $49
• Personal guarantee requirement: Security deposit
• Typical spending limit: Up to $10,000
• Minimum credit score: N/A
• APR: 24.99% (variable)

Key features

• Earn interest on your security deposit
• Reports payments to major credit bureaus
• Basic cash flow management
• Purchase protection

Why this card is suited for contractors and construction companies

The First National Bank Business Edition® Secured Visa Card best serves construction businesses that need to establish credit but can't qualify for traditional unsecured cards. The straightforward structure of this card works well for contractors focused on building or rebuilding credit rather than maximizing rewards or accessing advanced features.

FairFigure Capital Card

FairFigure is designed for companies that need funding without personal credit checks. FairFigure determines eligibility based on revenue and other business metrics, allowing your construction business to qualify based on its performance, not personal credit scores.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• Personal guarantee requirement: None
• Typical spending limit: Variable
• Minimum credit score: No requirement
• APR: None

Key features

• EIN-only business credit card
• Flexible repayment terms
• No annual fees
• Earn rewards on spending

Why this card is suited for contractors and construction companies

The FairFigure Capital Card is best for construction businesses that need working capital without personal credit checks, especially newer companies or those with owners who have less-than-perfect personal credit. The flexible 4-week or 8-week repayment terms can also match construction payment cycles better than other payment terms.

Bill Divvy Card

The BILL Divvy Card combines business credit with basic expense management software, offering construction companies an option to control spending across multiple projects and team members.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• Personal guarantee requirement: May require personal guarantee for companies without strong financials
• Typical spending limit: $1,000 to $5M
• Minimum credit score: 670+
• APR: N/A, charge card

Key features

• Integrated expense management tools
• Physical and virtual cards
• Unlimited employee cards
• Limited rewards

Why this card is suited for contractors and construction companies

The BILL Divvy Card is best for established construction companies that are looking for expense management tools while accessing significant credit lines.

Picking a business credit card for your construction company requires considering features that match how you operate. The right cards adapt to your payment schedules, support your team structure, and provide value on the purchases you make most often.

Low fees

Unnecessary fees can be painful for construction companies, making it important to look for cards that minimize or eliminate the fees that can quickly increase the cost of your day-to-day operations.

Payment processing fees can hurt profits when you're moving money between accounts or paying vendors. Some business credit cards allow you to send and receive payments without transaction fees, including ACH payments and wire transfers. This matters when you're paying multiple subcontractors or receiving progress payments from clients.

Monthly maintenance fees are another drain on construction companies, especially during slow seasons. The best business credit cards charge no annual fees or have low enough fees that rewards and benefits offset the cost.

Employee card fees can multiply quickly as your team grows, so it’s important to look for issuers that won’t charge you for additional employee cards. If you need cards for five project managers and ten field supervisors, a $5-per-card monthly fee becomes $900 annually. Look for providers that issue employee cards free of charge, letting you give purchasing power to your team without extra costs.

Ability to issue employee cards

Your entire team needs purchasing flexibility across job sites and roles. Your business credit card should offer multiple card types to match different needs within your organization.

Physical cards work well for employees who regularly visit stores or fuel vehicles. However, virtual cards provide better control for online purchases or one-time vendor payments. P-cards, or purchasing cards, are intended for business procurement and often include additional controls and reporting features that help track project-specific spending.

The ability to instantly issue and cancel ghost cards also reduces risk when working with new vendors or temporary employees. Plus, you can earn rewards on your procurement spend with some business credit issuers when you use p-cards.

Look for platforms that let you generate virtual card numbers for specific vendors or projects, which allows you to set exact spending amounts and expiration dates, preventing overcharges or ongoing unauthorized charges. When a project ends, you can cancel associated virtual cards immediately.

Can handle complex approval flows

When construction companies have multi-tier approval processes, they need a credit card that can integrate project hierarchies and budget responsibilities into approval workflows. Your credit card platform should mirror these workflows without slowing down purchasing.

Basic approval features might require manager sign-off for purchases over $1,000, but in many cases, construction businesses need more sophisticated options such as approvals based on vendor type, project codes, or spending categories. For example, you might want automatic approval for known material suppliers up to $5,000, but require owner approval for new vendor purchases over $500.

The best platforms let you create approval chains that match your organization and automate the expense approval process. A field purchase might route from foreman to project manager to controller based on amount and category. These workflows should work through mobile apps, since approvers might be on job sites rather than in the office. Real-time notifications and the option to approve purchases from a mobile app can keep projects moving while maintaining control over expenses.

Offers rewards for spending

Finding the right business credit card for your construction business can often mean finding a card that rewards you for your spending. Look for cards with multipliers that align with your most common spending categories, as these rewards can be valuable in the long run. That said, make sure the redemption options fit your business needs.

In most cases, cash back works better than travel points for construction businesses. A 2% cash back rate on all purchases provides predictable value you can invest back into the business. Some business credit card rewards offer higher rates on categories relevant to construction, such as hardware stores, gas stations, office supplies, and telecommunications services. Calculate your monthly spending in these categories to estimate potential rewards.

As you compare card options, consider whether rewards caps limit your earning potential. A card offering 5% back at hardware stores may sound attractive, but if rewards cap at $1,500 in purchases per quarter, you'll max out quickly. Uncapped 2% cash back often provides more value for high-spending construction businesses.

Some cards offer sign-up bonuses worth $500 to $1,000 or more when you meet spending thresholds. Factor these one-time rewards into your first-year value calculations when comparing cards, but be sure to also consider the broader reward structure and if it makes sense compared to any fees the issuer charges.

Using business credit cards strategically can accelerate your construction company's growth. With the right card, your business can gain access to the financial tools and flexibility needed to take on larger projects, expand service areas, and build stronger client relationships.

Most importantly, business credit cards can allow you to bid on bigger projects. When there’s an opportunity to bid on a large commercial project or multi-unit residential development, having a business credit card with high credit limits means you can commit to the work since you have the working capital to complete it. Rather than on profitable contracts due to cash constraints, you can accept projects that allow your business to grow.

The data and reporting from business credit cards similarly support smarter growth decisions. By being able to see spending patterns across completed projects, you can identify the work generating the highest margins and focus efforts accordingly. You could discover that commercial renovations provide better profit margins than new construction, or that certain geographic areas have more profitable projects.

Business credit cards with integrated financial management tools can also help your business to strengthen vendor relationships. With bill pay software, you can be sure you’re paying vendors promptly and consistently, and that track record can improve your competitive position when bidding against larger contractors. Suppliers also can extend better terms and priority service to contractors with strong payment histories.

For large investments that go beyond what your business credit card can handle, improving your financial profile from responsible credit card use allows for additional growth financing. Banks and equipment lenders view established business credit history favorably when evaluating loan applications.

As your construction company grows, you may need equipment loans, lines of credit, and potentially SBA loans to fund major expansions. The credit history and payment record demonstrated through using a business credit card responsibly strengthens these future applications.

While business credit cards do provide access to credit, construction companies often need other financing options for long repayment terms and higher costs. Understanding these alternatives can allow you to choose the right financial tool for your situation.

Equipment financing

Construction equipment is a big investment, with excavators, loaders, and specialized tools costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Equipment financing allows you to spread these costs over time while using the equipment to generate revenue immediately.

Most equipment loans use the machinery itself as collateral, which typically results in lower interest rates than unsecured financing. Lenders typically finance 80% to 90% of the equipment's value, with repayment terms matching the equipment's useful life. This alignment means your monthly payments correspond with the revenue the equipment generates.

Business lines of credit

Business lines of credit provide access to funds you can draw from as needed. Unlike term loans, you only pay interest on the money you actually use, making credit lines best for managing variable cash flow needs.

Construction companies can use lines of credit to cover payroll during seasonal fluctuations, purchase materials for new projects before receiving deposits, or handle unexpected expenses like equipment repairs. Credit limits generally range from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on your business's revenue and credit profile.

The revolving nature of credit lines makes them a good option for contractors that need financing. As you repay what you borrowed, that credit becomes available again for future needs. This cycling matches construction project patterns, where you might need significant funds at project start but can repay as progress payments arrive. Interest rates on lines of credit typically run lower than credit cards but higher than secured loans.

Term loan

Term loans provide a lump-sum for funding large expenses like buying a new facility, launching a major expansion, or consolidating debt. These loans offer predictable monthly payments over defined periods, typically two to ten years, which makes budgeting straightforward.

Construction businesses can take advantage of term loans for strategic investments that generate long-term returns. Purchasing a warehouse for equipment storage and material inventory or buying out a competitor are common uses. Interest rates vary based on loan purpose, your credit profile, and whether or not you provide collateral.

SBA loans represent a specific type of term loan that often provides better rates and terms for qualifying construction businesses. The SBA 7(a) program can fund up to $5 million for working capital, equipment, or real estate, while the SBA 504 program focuses on real estate and equipment purchases. Though the application process takes longer than conventional loans, these loans often have more favorable terms that can justify the longer wait time.

Choosing the right business credit card can make a big difference in how your construction company handles money, tracks expenses, and prepares to grow. Construction companies face unique financial challenges, such as inconsistent payments and managing costs across multiple job sites. Because of this, it's important to use financial tools specifically designed for your needs. Whether you want to build business credit, get higher credit limits, or have clear rules for spending, the options in this guide can help construction companies at every stage.

For construction businesses wanting simpler financial management, Brex is a great choice. Unlike general business credit cards, Brex has features that are especially helpful for construction contractors. These features include unlimited employee cards without fees, spending limits customized for different roles, and the ability to track expenses in real-time. Brex also offers credit limits that are 10 to 20 times higher than typical business cards, so you can easily take on larger and more profitable projects.

Brex helps construction companies by improving the whole financial workflow. Automated expense reports reduce the time spent managing receipts, and AI-powered expense coding accurately assigns costs to the correct projects without extra work. With clear approval processes, large expenses are reviewed by the right managers, while routine charges are approved quickly.

Brex also integrates easily with your existing accounting software, automatically organizing transactions for accurate project budgeting. Its bill pay tools make sure your vendors and subcontractors get paid on time, helping you maintain good relationships and possibly secure better deals.

Limelight Steel, a startup focused on decarbonizing the steelmaking process, was slowed down by manual expense approvals before switching to Brex. With each expense needing the CEO’s approval, tracking costs were impossible and delays were inevitable. Brex transformed that process.

“We loved that Brex’s customizable spend limits would allow us to automatically approve employee spend for specific use cases and cut down on reviews,” said Nishant Karandikar, Limelight Steel’s Strategy and Operations Lead. “Also, as a hard tech startup, we have a lot of equipment and supplies to buy all the time, and Brex offered us a substantially higher credit limit. That was really valuable for us and showed that Brex could flex with our business as a true partner.”

Join Limelight Steel and sign up for Brex today.