Business Loans for Hardware Stores
Find the Best Hardware Store Financing for Your Business. Compare, Choose, and Save With AdvancePoint Capital.
Best Hardware Store Financing for Your Business
It’s no secret that the hardware store industry has had difficulty getting financing for their businesses over the years with the advent of big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Whether you go to credit unions or banks, it is tough for small business owners to get any type of hardware store financing or any bank loan, for that matter. But these are new times as demand for more personalized service from local stores that can offer quick specialized service is on the uptick.
Hardware store financing options can be a tricky process, though. Traditional lenders and credit unions see this business type as they view your industry as risky, which means qualifying for loans is a serious burden. These lenders won’t give loans out to just to any industry; they’ll likely require a business owner to have great credit, a robust business, and require a significant amount of details and documentation from the company to access creditworthiness.
AdvancePoint Capital services offer a variety of financing options that you can take advantage of so that you can get the funding you need through our marketplace without the bank hassle.
AdvancePoint Capital has been experienced in loans for hardware stores for years and can help you access the various business lending products, terms, and payment options you need.
We understand the difficulties of operating a hardware store and the need for business funding to support it. Our job is to effectively provide the best business funding products to you so you can effectively operate your business. Whether you’re looking to purchase equipment or inventory, need working capital, expanding operations, or taking on a new opportunity- we are your source.
The 6 Best Business Loan Options for the Hardware Store Industry
Long-Term Business Loans
Long-term loans are always the most desirable as they offer the most extended repayment terms, typically from 2 to 7 years. Long-term loans are a lump sum provided upfront with an interest rate that starts around 7% with monthly payments over a fixed period to repay. These loans require high credit standards for established businesses with at least two years in business in the hardware industry and a significant amount of paperwork for approval.
Benefits:
- Low-interest rate starting from 7%
- Term loans from 2 to 7 years to repay
- Accommodates a larger loan amount
- Monthly payments
Business Line of Credit
A business line of credit is a small business financing option that offers a flexible feature that a short-term loan does not. It works like a credit card in that it is a revolving credit line and allows you to draw money out and then repay at any time with you only paying principal and interest on your outstanding balance. Lines of credit have a credit limit that you cannot exceed and is set at the time of consummation. This product is not considered a term loan.
Highlights of a Line of Credit:
- Ability to draw money at any time from lines of credit
- Allows borrowers to spend the money, repay it, and spend it again
- Principal and interest rates starting at 5% for lines of credit
- Lower costs and fees than most other financing products
Small Business Administration [SBA] Loans for Hardware Stores
The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal government agency headquartered in Washington DC that provides resources, programs, guidelines, and small business loan guarantees to approved SBA Lenders to issue loans to small businesses. The Small Business Administrations’ (SBA) mission is to help American enterprises to start, build, and grow their businesses successfully. The SBA is not a lender.
The Small Business Administration provides a guarantee that gives the approved SBA lender the ability to take on the risk of lending and decisions under SBA term’s that they would not ordinarily do so on their own and has all rights reserved for any recourse need. SBA loan application processes can be lengthy, but with the help of an experienced SBA-approved lender to help your business through the application process, the SBA application package can be a smooth and efficient experience.
SBA Product Overview
| Loan Amount Limits: | Up to 5 million |
| Interest Rates: | Starting at 3.50%, treasury index plus 1% to 2.5% |
| Loan Terms: | 3 to 25 years |
| Fees: | Origination fees 0% to 3% |
| Payments: | Fixed monthly |
| Credit: | Good to excellent credit score required |
| Application Process: | SBA loan application, business assets, and numerous financial statements |
U. S. Small Business Administration Loan Programs
SBA Standard 7(a) – SBA loan 7(a) is the SBA’s primary program is designed to provide financial assistance to businesses with a good track record.
SBA 504 – The SBA 504 Loan is a small business term loan and a powerful economic development loan program that provides business another avenue for funding while promoting business economic development and equity. SBA 504 is typically for significant capital needs like real estate transactions.
The use of proceeds from the SBA 504 Loan must be used for fixed assets such as construction, owner-occupied commercial property, or mixed-use real estate. Typical uses of the SBA 504 loans include; repair facilities, land improvements (and certain soft costs), growth, and expansion, or can also be used to refinance existing debt on your small business.
SBA Disaster Small Business Loan Program – SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)-This type of SBA loan not only assists small businesses after natural disasters like tornadoes, wildfires, or floods. Additionally, when Coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a nationwide health emergency, congress provided small businesses access to relief options like this SBA loan for emergency funding.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established the SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan in response to COVID-19. This program is one of SBA’s relief options that provides loans to small businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and needs financial help.
Merchant Cash Advance for Hardware Stores
Merchant cash advance (also now as Future Receivables Purchase and Sale Agreements) provide an upfront lump sum of money to the business in exchange for a fixed percentage of the businesses’ future sales. Repayment is typically made daily or weekly. Both ACH payments auto deducted from a business’s bank account, or the percentage are taken out of future credit card sales until the payback obligation is met.
Terms are expressed as a future sale, so you are given a fixed amount and then responsible for paying back a more significant amount through a fixed percentage of future sales. The difference between the amount given and the amount paid back to complete the agreement is your fixed cost. The estimated time to repay is typically 6 to 18 months, but there are no term limits as the repayment is based on future sales, and this product is not considered a term loan.
Benefits of Merchant Cash Advances:
- Flexible repayment terms attached to future sales
- Excellent to poor credit score considered
- Provides funds to owners with Sub Prime Credit
- Limited documentation required
Business Credit Cards for Hardware Stores
Business credit cards are revolving credit with a credit limit with a minimum monthly payment requirement typically lower than that of a small loan. You are issued a plastic card with an account number that can be used online and in-person for any purchases. You only pay interest based on the current principal. This product is not considered a term loan.
Benefits
- Can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- No limitations on the use of funds
- Flexible monthly payments payments
- Principal & Interest rates
Benefits of Hardware Store Financing
Cash Flow/Working Capital Loan
Operating small businesses like a hardware store is a complicated venture with many moving parts to it. Various issues can impact cash flow to companies in the industry, such as seasonality, holidays, location, changes in trends, and competition.
Failure to meet payroll for employees is not an option, so it’s essential to access working capital to control the business’s ups and downs and stabilize cash flow. Having a financing option to satisfy working capital needs is a must.
Business Facility Expansion/Renovations
Your hardware store may need upgrades or repairs to the real estate/facility, something to spruce up the interior decor, or renovations to the store’s exterior appearance to attract and maintain customers with a competitive edge. Perhaps you’re adding a new location. With so many financing options available, growing your hardware store can come in many forms. Hardware store financing options can be used to purchase additional inventory, lease more space, expand marketing efforts, buy new equipment, or even open up another operation.
Advertising: Attract Customers to Your Hardware Store
What owner doesn’t want more customers? Internet marketing and social medial is not a trend but has become a must for a hardware store owner looking to grow and has added additional costs to the store operation. That’s why financing for marketing campaigns and social media is so popular.
Having a presence on the internet with various sources such as Google, Yelp, and Trip Advisor and maintaining a social media presence with Facebook and Instagram is very important for success. Your website and work on search engine optimization help keep your small business on the top of google search. Additionally, more traditional sources like mailers and flyers are also advertising mainstays and costs money to execute.
Point of Sale Systems, Software, and Technology Upgrades
The point of sale system’s out there are continuously improving and providing efficiencies to store operations. Hardware stores are always looking for new ways to keep customers coming in and enhance the customer experience or alter services with easier processes and systems for staff to make a significant impact. Funding can be used to update systems and create more efficient processes within your operation. You must make sure eventual investments in this area are a foregone conclusion and know that financing most likely will be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a hardware store business? How much does it cost to open a hardware store?
The answers to these questions all depend on the type and size of the hardware store you’re considering opening. Different financing options will have unique application requirements — so there’s not really a one size fits all solution to this question.
However, there are some typical avenues that many business owners take to open up a hardware store. Ensure you have a sound business plan, projected financial statements, ownership and affiliation documents, business certificates or licensure, income tax returns, and a resume available.
Is owning a hardware store a good business? How profitable are these kinds of stores?
Did you know that hardware stores don’t have to be profitable to get funding? It helps if they do, but it is not required. Hardware stores can be an excellent opportunity. They are somewhat recession-proof in the good times and the bad.
Can I finance Inventory for my hardware store?
It is a widespread option for hardware store owners to finance inventory when trying to increase revenue. This request for inventory financing is prevalent during different times throughout the year, such as seasonal shifts and holidays.
The Bottom Line. Why AdvancePoint?
Experience Within the Hardware Industry – We have been funding hardware stores for years.
Trust – Excellent reviews and feedback about our services from hardware store owners
Loan Specialists – You will be assigned an experienced business loan specialist who knows the hardware store industry and its challenges.
No Obligation – No cost, no commitment quotes
Products – A variety of types of financing products and lending options with a strong lender network.
We don’t just offer you the loan options we have on hand; we also have access to additional products in the marketplace.
Looking for growth for your hardware store? Contact AdvancePoint Capital!
AdvancePoint Capital
The fast, convenient and straightforward way to get the capital you need for your hardware store – now!
Get a quote today by filling out the simple online form on our website.