Understand your position
We review your goals, income, commitments, deposit or equity and timescale.
SPECIALIST PROPERTY FINANCE
Contractor mortgages
Use your contract value or trading history with lenders who understand contractors. Speak to an adviser who will assess your full circumstances, not just a headline number.
No obligation · Initial conversation does not affect your credit score
Written and reviewed by Smart Mortgages specialistsReviewed 21 August 2026 · FCA reference 912358
How we help with contractor mortgages
Finding the right funding is about more than comparing rates. Property type, rental or trading income, experience, valuation and ownership structure can all change the outcome.
Compare suitable options
We assess lender criteria, overall cost and suitability, not only the initial rate.
Manage the application
Your adviser and case manager keep the lender, valuation and legal process moving.
Turn contract income into a clear lending case
Contractors can be assessed through accounts, payslips, umbrella income or the value and duration of an eligible contract. We choose the route that matches how you actually work.
Day-rate assessment
Some lenders annualise an eligible daily rate, allowing the contract to demonstrate income.
Contract history
Show continuity, renewals and experience in the same profession or industry.
Umbrella workers
Review payslips, deductions and assignment schedules with lenders that understand the structure.
Gaps between contracts
Explain planned or historic gaps and demonstrate ongoing demand for your skills.
Your Smart Mortgages contact
Aaron handles complex contractor income; mainstream cases are matched to a local adviser.
Turn contract income into a clear lending case FAQs
Can I get a mortgage on my first contract?
Potentially. Options depend on your profession, previous employment, contract length, remaining term and wider circumstances.
How is a day rate calculated?
Methods differ by lender, often using the daily rate multiplied by a set number of working days and weeks.
Do gaps between contracts cause a problem?
They may affect the choice of lender, but reasonable gaps can sometimes be accepted when the wider work history is strong.
Specialist knowledge that can make the difference
Our team regularly works with day-rate contractors, CIS workers and fixed-term contracts. If a lender or another broker has already said no, that does not always mean there is no route forward. We can review your circumstances and whether a different lender or structure may be appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow?
It depends on the property, income or rent, deposit or equity, experience, credit profile and lender policy. We provide a case-specific assessment.
Does an initial conversation affect my credit score?
No. An initial discussion with our team does not involve a lender credit search.
Can you help throughout the UK?
Yes. Our branches cover Northern Ireland and Scotland, and we advise clients across the UK.