The short answer
At a glance
| Typical amounts | Based on the equipment cost; MFE reviews $5,000 to $5,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Time in business | Often 6+ months |
| Credit | Scores from 500 considered; stronger credit usually means better offers |
| Term | Matched to equipment life; never more than 60 months at MFE |
| Key document | Vendor quote or invoice |
| Down payment | May be asked, depending on the file and the equipment |
| Other documents | 3 to 4 months of bank statements, ID, voided check; more for large equipment |
| Speed | Same-day decisions common on complete files; never promised |
| Best for | Equipment that earns money for years: ovens, HVAC units, trucks, lifts, machines |
| Avoid if | The item wears out before the term ends |
Before you apply: checklist
- Get a written vendor quote or invoice with model and price
- Estimate how many years the equipment will be useful
- Pick a term no longer than that life, and no more than 60 months at MFE
- Set aside funds for a possible down payment
- For repairs, get a written repair estimate from the shop
- Pull 3 to 4 months of business bank statements
- Ask a tax professional about Section 179 before you buy
- Compare total repayment, not just the monthly payment
Check what your business qualifies for
Merchant Fund Express reviews equipment financing requests from $5,000 to $5,000,000. Scores from 500 are considered, and same-day decisions are common on complete files.
Check funding options with Merchant Fund ExpressRepairs and replacement, not just new purchases
Equipment money is not only for shiny new machines. Many owners use it when something breaks:
- Commercial HVAC. A failed rooftop unit or compressor for a contractor's own fleet or a business's building.
- Truck repair. Engine or transmission work that keeps a work truck earning.
- Restaurant equipment. Walk-in coolers, ovens, fryers and hood systems.
For repairs, a written repair estimate or invoice plays the role of the vendor quote. If the repair is small and urgent, working capital can also fit; compare in equipment financing vs working capital. Our equipment financing guide has more examples.
Terms, large equipment and the 60-month cap
The rule of thumb is simple: do not pay for equipment longer than it lasts. A laptop might justify a short term. A heavy machine might justify a longer one. At MFE, equipment terms never run past 60 months.
Large equipment requests, such as production machinery or multiple vehicles, usually need more documentation: financial statements, tax returns and detailed quotes. A down payment may be asked, which lowers the financed amount and the payment. Note that many funders restrict long-haul trucking, so trucking requests are reviewed case by case.
Section 179 in plain English
Section 179 of the tax code may let a business deduct some or all of the cost of qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service, rather than spreading the deduction over several years. Limits, eligibility and timing rules apply and can change. This is not tax advice. Confirm with a tax professional before you buy or finance based on a tax benefit. Read Section 179 and equipment financing for a longer overview.
Funding brings customers. Is your website ready for them?
Funding usually pays for growth: more stock, staff, equipment or marketing. Make sure the customers that growth brings find a website that explains what you do and makes it easy to call, book or buy. Cheap Cheap Websites builds professional sites from $399, with Website Care at $30/month.
Illustrative example: replacing a commercial oven and hood
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vendor quote | $60,000 |
| Down payment (10%) | $6,000 |
| Amount financed ($60,000 minus $6,000) | $54,000 |
| Term | 48 months |
| Assumed total repayment | $66,960 |
| Monthly payment ($66,960 / 48) | $1,395 |
| Cost of financing ($66,960 minus $54,000) | $12,960 |
Assumptions: a 10% down payment, a 48-month term within the equipment's expected life, no other fees.
These figures are illustrations, not offers. Real pricing and terms depend on your file.
Common mistakes:
- Choosing a term longer than the equipment will last.
- Applying without a vendor quote or repair estimate.
- Counting on a tax deduction without asking a tax professional.
- Forgetting installation, delivery and training costs.
How Merchant Fund Express handles this
Merchant Fund Express reviews equipment financing from $5,000 to $5,000,000, with terms matched to equipment life and never longer than 60 months. Have the vendor quote or invoice ready and expect that a down payment may be asked. See the MFE equipment financing page and apply with Merchant Fund Express. English and Spanish service is available.
Related
Cheap Cheap Websites builds websites. It does not lend or make funding decisions. Funding is offered by our funding partner, Merchant Fund Express, and every request is subject to its review and approval. Figures on this page are illustrations, not offers. Updated October 16, 2026.