CIS subcontractor or self-employed construction worker? Tickford Mortgages helps you secure a mortgage based on your actual income — not just your tax returns. 

If you work in the construction industry under the CIS (Construction Industry Scheme), you might have been told that getting a mortgage is more difficult. The good news is — it doesn’t have to be. At Tickford Mortgages, we specialise in helping CIS workers across Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, and beyond access mortgage options that reflect their real earning potential.

Whether you’re a subcontractor, self-employed tradesperson, or construction professional paid through CIS, we can help present your income to lenders in a way that maximises how much you can borrow — often far beyond what standard self-employed criteria would allow.

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is an HMRC system where contractors deduct tax from subcontractors’ pay and pass it directly to HMRC. It’s designed to make tax collection simpler and ensure self-employed workers in the construction sector pay the right amount throughout the year.

While this system works well for tax purposes, it can make applying for a mortgage more complicated. That’s because many lenders don’t fully understand CIS income or apply standard self-employed criteria — which can significantly reduce your borrowing power.

That’s where specialist CIS mortgage advice can make a huge difference.

Traditional mortgage lenders typically assess self-employed income based on tax calculations (SA302s) and tax year overviews — usually taking an average of the last two or three years’ declared income. This approach can work against CIS workers, especially if you:

• Have grown your earnings significantly in the last 12 months
   
• Had a quieter year previously due to project changes or time off
   
• Haven’t been trading for a full two or three years
   

Fortunately, some lenders take a much more flexible approach with CIS applicants. Instead of relying on older tax returns, they may assess your income using:

• 📑 The most recent 3 months’ payslips
   
• 📅 The last 12 months’ gross income
   
• 📊 Weekly or monthly statements under CIS
   

This often allows CIS workers to borrow more, as the income figure used is based on your current earnings — not historical averages that don’t reflect your current financial position.

We’ve helped many self-employed tradespeople and contractors secure mortgages that properly reflect their earnings. Here’s how we can support you:

• 🏗️ Specialist CIS mortgage advice – explaining how lenders view CIS income and which ones are most suitable for your circumstances.
   
• 📈 Maximising your borrowing potential – by matching you with lenders who assess income based on your latest payslips rather than older tax returns.
   
• 🧾 Document preparation and presentation – helping you gather and present payslips, statements, and other required evidence in the best possible way.
   
• 🏡 Access to specialist lenders – many of which are not available directly to the public and offer more flexible terms for CIS contractors.
   
• 🤝 Ongoing support from start to finish – from Agreement in Principle right through to mortgage offer and completion.
   

We regularly help CIS workers in roles such as:

• Bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers
   
• Site managers and project supervisors
   
• Labourers and subcontracted trades
   
• Contractors working across multiple sites or companies
   

Even if you’ve been declined by a mainstream lender before, we may still be able to help — often with a higher borrowing amount than you expected.

Here’s how you can strengthen your application:

• ✅ Keep consistent records of your CIS payslips and gross income
   
• ✅ Avoid long breaks in work before applying (if possible)
   
• ✅ Work with an adviser early — we can help you plan your application around lender criteria
   
• ✅ Ensure your CIS statements and UTR number are up to date and accurate
   

Being based in Newport Pagnell, we’re perfectly placed to support CIS workers across Milton Keynes, Broughton, Olney, Stony Stratford, and beyond. We understand the unique challenges of construction industry income — and we know exactly which lenders will work for you.

With our experience and lender network, we make sure your hard work on-site translates into real results when it comes to securing a mortgage.

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving, or remortgaging, we’ll help you access the best mortgage options based on your real income — not just your tax return.

📍 Trusted by CIS workers and contractors across Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, Wolverton, Woburn Sands, and beyond.
 

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.