Getting a Mortgage When You Work in Construction: The CIS Scheme Explained

Getting a Mortgage as a Construction Worker

If you work in construction, your pay and paperwork probably look quite different from someone on a regular salary. And when it comes to getting a mortgage, those differences can sometimes cause confusion — especially if a lender doesn’t fully understand how you’re paid under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).

The good news? With the right advice and the right lender, getting a mortgage as a CIS worker can be straightforward.

What Is the CIS Scheme?

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is run by HMRC and ensures subcontractors in the building trade pay the correct amount of tax.

Under CIS, contractors deduct a percentage from your pay — usually 20% if you’re registered or 30% if you’re not — and send it straight to HMRC as an advance payment toward your tax and National Insurance.

CIS applies to:

• Self-employed builders, electricians, plumbers, and roofers

• Subcontractors working for larger construction firms

• Tradespeople who move between contracts

It’s a flexible system — but that flexibility can make mortgage applications tricky if the lender doesn’t understand your income structure.

Why CIS Workers Often Struggle to Get a Mortgage

Many traditional mortgage lenders treat CIS workers as self-employed, basing their decision on net profit from SA302 tax returns.

The problem? After expenses and deductions, your declared income can look much lower than what you actually earn.

For example:

You might gross £60,000 a year under CIS, but your tax return shows £35,000 after expenses.

If a lender only looks at that £35,000, it limits how much you can borrow — even though your real earnings are higher.

How CIS Mortgages Work

A CIS mortgage is designed for people working in construction under the scheme. These lenders take a more realistic approach, often assessing your income based on your CIS payslips rather than your tax return.

Instead of using net profit, they can look at:

• Your gross weekly or monthly income

• CIS vouchers or payslips (usually covering 3–6 months)

• Bank statements showing consistent income

This gives a clearer picture of what you actually earn and often means you can borrow more.

How Lenders Calculate CIS Income

Each lender has their own policy, but most will take your average weekly gross income and multiply it by 46 or 48 weeks to account for holidays.

Example:

£1,000 average weekly income × 48 weeks = £48,000 annual income

That’s the figure many lenders will use for your affordability — often a big step up compared to using your net profit.

What You’ll Need for a CIS Mortgage Application

To keep things simple, here’s what you’ll typically need:

✅ Last 3–6 months of CIS payslips or payment statements
✅ Recent bank statements showing income deposits
✅ Proof of ID and address
✅ Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
✅ Evidence of at least 3–6 months of continuous CIS work

Good news — some lenders will consider you even if you’ve been self-employed for less than a year, provided you have a steady CIS payment history.

Limited Company CIS Workers

If you’ve set up a limited company, lenders will usually assess your salary and dividends (or retained profit).

However, if you’ve recently switched from CIS to a limited company setup, some lenders may still use your CIS income history to support your application — as long as it shows consistent earnings.

Why You Should Use an Independent Mortgage Broker

CIS mortgages aren’t offered by every lender — and applying to the wrong one can waste time and hurt your credit score.

An independent, whole-of-market mortgage broker (like Chetwood Lloyd Mortgages) knows which lenders understand the construction industry and will treat your income fairly.

We work with over 100 lenders, including specialist providers that:

• Accept gross CIS income

• Require minimal paperwork

• Offer competitive rates for subcontractors and tradespeople

We’ll find the right lender, handle the paperwork, and make the process stress-free.

Key Takeaways

• CIS workers can get a mortgage just like anyone else.

• The right lender will use gross CIS pay instead of your tax return.

• You don’t always need two years of accounts.

• A specialist broker will know which lenders to approach.

• Chetwood Lloyd Mortgages is fee-free, independent, and with you every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

Construction work is tough — your mortgage process shouldn’t be.

Whether you’re a self-employed builder, electrician, plumber, or tradesperson paid under CIS, you deserve a lender that sees your true income and values your hard work.

At Chetwood Lloyd Mortgages, we help construction workers across the UK secure the homes they deserve — with clear advice, no fees, and full independence.

💬 Ready to see how much you could borrow?

Book a free chat today with one of our advisors — we’ll show you your mortgage options and guide you every step of the way.