Will I pay fees to a broker introduced by Best Business Loans?

Potentially. Brokers may charge upfront arrangement or advisory fees, or receive commission from a lender once a deal completes. Always request a written fee schedule and confirmation of who pays and whether fees are refundable if the application is declined.

What lender fees should I expect?

Lenders commonly charge application, arrangement, valuation, legal and exit or early repayment fees. Amounts vary by product and provider, so ask for a full fees schedule and a sample repayment illustration showing total cost over the term.

How can I reduce fees?

Compare multiple quotes, negotiate arrangement and legal fees, choose a broker model that suits you, and ask whether fees can be rolled into the finance amount. Evaluate total cost rather than focusing solely on headline rates.

Do you charge any fees to enquire, and are there any broker or lender fees I should expect?

Q: Do you charge any fees to enquire?

No. It is free to submit a Quick Quote or eligibility enquiry with Best Business Loans. We act as an introducer and do not charge businesses to use our matching service.

Short answer: No fee to enquire — but you may encounter broker or lender fees later, depending on the product you choose.

It is completely free to submit a Quick Quote or eligibility check with Best Business Loans. We operate as an independent introducer and do not charge businesses to use our matching service.

If you proceed with a lender or broker introduced by us, that third party may charge arrangement, application or ongoing fees depending on the product and the provider’s terms. Always ask the provider for a full breakdown before you sign.

How Best Business Loans handles enquiries and our fee policy

Submitting an enquiry via our Quick Quote form is free and carries no obligation. We use AI to match your business to lenders and brokers and then introduce you to relevant providers who may be able to help.

We are not a lender and do not underwrite loans, so we never charge you interest, arrangement fees or commission directly. We act as an introducer and will only share your details with carefully selected finance professionals who match your needs.

We aim to be transparent about the process and will remind you that any subsequent fees are set by the lender or broker you choose, not by Best Business Loans.

Broker fees: what they are, who pays them and typical ranges

Brokers help package applications, negotiate terms and submit documentation; they may be remunerated in a few different ways. Some brokers charge an upfront arrangement or advisory fee, others take a commission from the lender after your deal completes, and some combine both models.

Typical broker charges vary by product and complexity — small commercial loans might attract a fixed fee of a few hundred pounds, while larger or specialist deals could involve a percentage-based fee (often 1–3% of the facility value). Where commission is paid by the lender, it can be added into the lender’s cost base rather than being invoiced directly to you.

Always ask a broker for a written fee schedule before you commit, including whether fees are refundable if an application is declined and whether commission affects the interest rate or other terms.

Lender fees you should expect and how they appear in agreements

Lenders commonly apply fees for application processing, credit checks, valuations, legal work, and for setting up or amending facilities. These are usually disclosed on an offer letter or fees schedule and are separate from interest charges and ongoing repayments.

Examples include arrangement fees (often 0.5–3% for commercial facilities), application fees (£0–£500+ depending on complexity), valuation and legal fees (passed through at cost), and early repayment or exit fees for fixed-term deals. Some smaller unsecured facilities have low or no set-up fees but carry higher interest to compensate.

Make sure you compare the total cost of finance — interest plus all upfront and ongoing fees — when assessing provider offers rather than focusing only on headline rates.

How to reduce or avoid unnecessary fees

Negotiate and compare: ask multiple brokers or lenders for fully broken-down quotes and use those to negotiate lower arrangement or legal fees. Some providers may waive application fees for established, low-risk businesses or roll fees into the finance amount instead of charging up front.

Choose the right adviser model: fee-based brokers often offer clearer cost transparency while commission-based brokers might be able to secure more competitive lender pricing for your sector. Ask which route the broker prefers and why, and request a written confirmation of how they are paid.

Be realistic about cheapest vs best: the lowest immediate fee does not always produce the best long-term outcome, so weigh early charges against interest rates, repayment flexibility and lender service levels.

Practical questions to ask before you accept a quote and what to expect next

Ask for a full schedule of fees, interest rates (fixed or variable), repayment terms, early repayment penalties, and whether any fees are refundable if the finance does not proceed. Request plain-English explanations of any terms you do not understand and ask for an example of total cost over the term.

Check who is responsible for each fee — some costs are payable to third parties (valuers, solicitors) and will appear separately, while others are charged by the lender or broker. Confirm whether any commission paid to a broker is disclosed in your offer and whether it affects the headline rate.

When you submit a Quick Quote with Best Business Loans we will connect you to suitable providers for an eligibility check or Decision in Principle. You remain in control and can decide which introductions to pursue further.

Specific examples and scenarios

Simple unsecured working capital

Unsecured short-term working capital products frequently have no valuation or legal fees, but they may carry an arrangement or application charge. Interest rates are typically higher to reflect unsecured risk so compare total annual cost including any set-up fee.

Asset finance and equipment lending

Asset finance often includes administration fees and deposit requirements, and the lender may charge a documentation or inspection fee. In many cases these fees can be negotiated or included within the finance amount so you spread the cost over repayments.

Sustainability and specialist lending

Some sustainability-focused facilities or grant-linked loans may include specialist due diligence, which can create additional fees; however, subsidies or government schemes sometimes reduce or remove borrower costs. For examples of eco-focused options we can introduce you to, see our sustainability loans page.

How Best Business Loans helps you understand and compare fees

We prioritise transparency and will prompt brokers and lenders to disclose all known fees during the early stages of a match. Our AI matching compares providers based on suitability and likely costs, helping you shortlist those with clearer, more competitive fee structures.

We also recommend you request a written quote with a full breakdown before signing any agreement, and to review sample repayment schedules so you can see the combined effect of fees and interest. If you want help interpreting an offer, our UK support team can guide you through key items to check.

Regulatory and compliance notes

Best Business Loans operates as an independent introducer and is not a lender; we do not provide regulated financial advice and are not directly subject to FCA authorisation for lending. We aim to follow FCA principles for clear, fair and not misleading communications when promoting finance options.

Independent brokers and lenders we introduce should comply with their own regulatory obligations and must provide you with clear terms. If a broker or lender is regulated by the FCA, they must meet the FCA’s disclosure and conduct standards.

Next steps — get a free Quick Quote now

If you want a quick indication of likely costs, complete our Quick Quote form and we will match you to providers for an eligibility check or Decision in Principle. There is no fee to enquire and no obligation to proceed with any introduction.

We protect your data and only share it with relevant lenders and brokers who match your requirements. If you prefer, contact our support team for pre-enquiry guidance by email at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai.

Key takeaways

Submitting a Quick Quote or eligibility enquiry with Best Business Loans is free and without obligation.
Brokers may charge arrangement fees, commissions or advisory charges; always request a written fee schedule.
Lenders commonly apply arrangement, application, valuation, legal and exit fees — check the offer letter for full details.
Compare total cost (fees + interest) and negotiate where possible to reduce upfront charges.
Ask clear questions, seek written breakdowns, and use our introductions to get multiple, comparable quotes.

For businesses exploring eco-upgrades, our platform can match you to green finance and sustainability loans — learn more about these options on our sustainability loans page.

Ready to compare costs? Start a free Quick Quote now and get matched to relevant lenders and brokers for an immediate eligibility check.