For growing construction firms, access to heavy machinery can mean the difference between winning or losing contracts. In this case study, we’ll explore how equipment financing helped one small construction company scale operations, win larger projects, and triple revenue—without draining working capital.
How can equipment financing help a construction company grow?
It allows companies to acquire essential machinery without large upfront costs, improving project capacity, efficiency, and cash flow.
Industry: Site development & excavation
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Employees at Start: 7
Annual Revenue (Year 1): $420,000
Growth Goal: Take on larger residential and municipal contracts
The founder, Jake, had the skills and crew—but lacked the heavy-duty equipment needed for competitive bids. Buying outright would require over $300,000 upfront—an impossible stretch for his young firm.
Jake's business was stuck subcontracting for larger firms. Without:
Excavators
Backhoes
Skid steers
Dump trucks
He couldn’t bid on high-value projects or expand his service area.
Jake partnered with a construction-focused lender offering flexible financing for heavy equipment. He secured:
A 60-month lease-to-own plan for $290K worth of machinery
Payments of $4,950/month with no balloon payment
A 3-month deferred payment period to ramp up jobs first
He financed:
A Caterpillar 308 Excavator
John Deere Skid Steer
Dump truck + trailer combo
Compact roller
Related: Financing Construction Equipment: Excavators, Bulldozers, and More
Within 12 months:
Revenue grew from $420K to $1.35M
The company added 6 full-time employees
Closed 4 mid-size residential development contracts
Took over work previously subcontracted out
The financed machines were used on 100% of their projects—and within two years, Jake owned them outright.
✅ Increased project capacity by 3x
✅ Improved bid competitiveness
✅ Preserved capital for fuel, payroll, and growth
✅ Built strong business credit through consistent payments
“Equipment financing let me scale without risking it all. I got the machines I needed, booked the jobs I wanted, and grew faster than I thought possible.”
— Jake Nolan, Founder, RidgeLine Earthworks
Secured $290K in equipment with no large down payment
Tripled project capacity and team size
Won bigger contracts with owned assets
Preserved cash flow and avoided debt overload
Reached $1.35M revenue in just 12 months
For construction companies, growth hinges on access to the right tools. Equipment financing transforms growth from a long-term dream into a short-term strategy—without sacrificing financial stability.
Ready to scale your construction business?
Explore flexible equipment financing options designed for contractors—so you can break new ground without breaking the bank.