What builder experience is required for contractor hard money loans?
Hard money lenders typically require contractors to demonstrate successful completion of similar projects. This usually means 2-5+ completed projects of comparable type and scale, with references from previous clients or lenders, and documentation of on-time, on-budget performance. Some lenders work with emerging builders who have strong construction backgrounds, experienced supervisors, or partnerships with established contractors. Trade-specific experience, licensing, and insurance requirements also factor into qualification decisions. Each lender has different thresholds, with some specializing in experienced builders while others consider strong projects from newer contractors with appropriate safeguards.