Compare business credit cards for contractors and construction businesses in 2026

Compare business credit cards for contractors

Some of the most popular business credit cards for contractors include:

• Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card
• Costco Anywhere Visa® by Citi
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• BILL Divvy Corporate Card
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured

Here’s a quick breakdown of how they compare. Nav may receive compensation from partners for products featured here. Nav is not a lender or card issuer.

A strong overall option: Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card offers all the benefits your contracting business needs: No annual fee, a generous welcome offer, 0% intro APR for 12 months, and  straightforward cash-back rewards. 

You’ll earn a $500 cash rewards bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first three months plus unlimited 2% cash rewards without any caps or spending categories. 

For gas and fuel rewards: Costco Anywhere Visa® by Citi

Whether you manage multiple job sites at once, serve clients in different geographic areas, or constantly pick up supplies and materials, the

You’ll earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on all other eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year in combined Costco and other eligible gas and/or EV charging purchases and then 1% thereafter.

Other rewards include 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

For hardware and supply store purchases: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

If you tend to spend a lot at hardware and supply stores, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express should be on your radar. 

You’ll earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. 1X points on other eligible purchases

For cash back: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a generous cash-back card you can use for general contractor spending.  

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

You'll also get 5% cash back on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027.

For 0% intro APR: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

If you need to finance large purchases, such as equipment or machinery, the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express might hold some appeal. It comes with a 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening.

Once the intro offer expires, you can enjoy other perks like 2x points on the first $50,000 of eligible purchases per calendar year and 1x points on purchases thereafter.

For expense management and employee cards: BILL Divvy Corporate Card

Expense reports and expense management can be a huge pain point for contractors. With the BILL Divvy Corporate Card you can help reduce or streamline expense reporting and provide more control over budgets.

If you have employees or contractors who need to make purchases, the BILL Divvy Corporate Card gives admins complete control over employee spending with enforceable budgets. 

The card also offers rewards, which vary by category and payment frequency, earning Up to 7x points, based on payment settings..

For business credit-building potential: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured, may help build business credit history if the issuer reports payment activity and payments are made on time. The card also earns rewards for your startup or newer contracting business. 

Once you make a security deposit of at least $1,000 and start spending, you’ll get 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual caps or expiration dates. The card also offers free business score monitoring, 

What to look for in a contractor business credit card

As you shop around for the best business cards for construction companies, be sure to prioritize the following:

Rewards on your biggest spending categories

Consider where you spend the most as a contractor. If most of your expenses are related to fuel or hardware, for example, find a card that offers generous rewards for those categories. If your spending is more varied and spread across multiple categories, a flat-rate cash-back card might be a better fit.

0% intro APR for large purchases

Some business credit cards offer 0% intro APR financing for several months to more than a year. This can be very valuable for financing a larger purchase or for preserving cash flow during a seasonal slowdown.

If you choose a card with a 0% APR, note when the promotional period ends and try to pay off the balance before that happens. The standard APR will kick in after the promo period expires, meaning your costs may increase significantly.

Employee card controls

If you need to issue employee cards to contractors that work for you, for example, look for features like spending controls and expense tracking. You can also look for cards that offer free physical or virtual employee cards with customizable per-employee limits.

Business credit reporting

Some credit card issuers report payment activity to the business credit bureaus, allowing you to build a strong business credit score. Others may also report to the consumer credit bureaus, which may impact your personal credit. 

If you know you’ll be carrying a balance frequently, for example, you may want to choose a card that will not appear on your personal credit reports. Those balances could impact your personal credit scores and creditworthiness. 

Annual fee vs. rewards value

In some cases, you’ll have to pay an annual fee to use a business credit card. Estimate your monthly spending and then apply the card’s rewards rates to calculate your potential cash back or points value. 

If your estimated annual rewards exceed the annual fee, it’s likely a good value. Otherwise, you might be better off with a no-fee card.

How to qualify for a business credit card as a contractor

Most small business credit cards require you to qualify based primarily on your personal credit score. There are some, though, that won’t require a personal credit check or a personal guarantee. However, those cards usually come with stipulations. 

For example, you may not be able to carry a balance or must submit additional documentation, such as a business license and income tax returns.

What you’ll need to apply

To apply for a business credit card, make sure you have the following on hand:

• Legal business name 
• Business address
• EIN or SSN
• Estimated annual revenue
• Years in business
• Number of employees

Contractor business credit card checklist

These questions can help you narrow down your options and hone in on the ideal contractor business credit card.

Benefits of using a credit card as a contractor

There are several ways a credit card can help you to achieve your business goals:

Improve cash flow

One of the most important benefits of business credit cards for contractors is the way they improve cash flow. The best business credit cards offer a line of credit that gives you extra time to pay for materials, fuel, and other expenses while you wait for client payments. 

Earn rewards on materials and fuel

In addition, rewards programs can be very lucrative. Put the materials and fuel you purchase for your business on a rewards credit card and you can often reap a significant sum in cash back or reward points. (Sign-up bonuses or welcome offers can also help you boost those rewards significantly.) 

Simplify expense tracking

Having a business credit card means you can keep your business charges separate from your personal accounts. This makes it easier to track your expenses, control job costs, and organize your finances throughout the year.

Interest-free financing

If you pay your credit card off in full each month, you’ll avoid interest charges and can enjoy the benefits of these cards at no extra cost. 

Some cards, such as the Blue Business® Plus from American Express even offer introductory APRs of 0% for anywhere from six months to a year or more. That interest-free period can be valuable if you need to make a large purchase and pay for it over time.

Alternative financing options for contractors

A business credit card can provide fast and flexible financing but there are times when you need larger financing amounts or a longer-term loan. A construction business loan provides working capital to start or run a construction firm. It can be used for equipment, overhead, or labor.

Here are other business contractor loan options to consider:

Construction business loans

If you need financing for a specific project that doesn’t require short-term financing, a term loan may be a good choice. You’ll borrow a fixed amount of money for a specific period of time. Some SBA guaranteed loans are term loans, and term loans are also offered by banks and online lenders. 

Equipment financing

If you need heavy equipment for your business, equipment leasing or financing may be an excellent option. The cost can be affordable and qualifications may be flexible since the equipment serves as collateral for the loan. Leasing may also offer tax advantages. 

While a credit card might make sense for smaller, more affordable equipment, equipment leasing or financing is likely a better fit for larger equipment purchases. 

Vendor and supplier financing

If you regularly purchase supplies from specific suppliers, you may be able to secure those supplies with no money upfront. This is referred to as vendor or supplier financing. 

For example, with net-30 terms you’ll have 30 days to pay. With strong business credit and a good payment history you may be able to get even longer terms, such as net-45 or net-60 terms. Builder vendor credit can complement a business credit card strategy for your construction business. 

Frequently asked questions