Get funding-ready before the year-end slowdown. Tick off the steps, then answer a few quick questions to see which funding paths fit your business and fast-track your application.
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Getting started
Step 5: Follow a Q4 timeline
Count the weeks from the week you start. Starting in October leaves room for everything, including SBA loans, which can take 30 to 90 days. Starting in November or later? Do Weeks 1 to 3 together and focus on faster products such as lines of credit and equipment financing.
Week 1: decide the amount, the purpose and the deadline. Book a call with your CPA or bookkeeper.
Week 2: gather the Step 1 documents and pull your credit reports.
Week 3: fix errors, pay down card balances, reconcile the books and request equipment quotes.
Weeks 4 and 5: request quotes from two or more funding sources and submit. Answer every lender request the same day.
Weeks 6 to 8: underwriting. Keep bank balances steady and avoid new debt.
By December 15: sign, fund and order equipment. Get delivery and installation dates in writing.
December 16 to 31: confirm equipment is installed and in use by December 31, then send paperwork to your CPA.
Red flags to avoid when you’re rushing
Stacking. A new advance on top of a daily or weekly repayment can leave too little cash for payroll. Add up all repayments before signing.
A factor rate with no dollar total. Ask for the exact amount you’ll repay and the dates. A 1.3 factor on $50,000 means $65,000 repaid.
Fees before approval. Be wary of large upfront fees before a written offer.
Pressure to sign today. A legitimate offer will still be there tomorrow.
Unexpected guarantees or liens. Read what is pledged: personal assets, a blanket lien, or both.
Prepayment penalties. Ask whether paying early saves interest.
Ready to see your options?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll match you to the funding paths that fit. The questions adapt to your answers, and your checklist progress comes with you so you don’t repeat yourself.
This checklist is educational and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Tax rules change, so confirm anything tax-related with a qualified professional. FundingExplained.com is not a lender, and the funding paths shown are not offers or approvals.