Nearly 30% of small businesses get turned down for financing due to weak credit scores. If you run an asphalt company, you already know access to cash can make or break a season. Whether you are lining up financing for equipment, fronting materials for a big job, or planning an expansion, your company credit score is part of every conversation with lenders and suppliers.
Think of it as your reputation on paper. A strong score helps you move fast on opportunities. A poor one slows approvals, raises rates, and can push you to expensive alternatives. On the upside, you can check your score quickly and start improving it with a few consistent habits.
A business credit score is your financial report card. Just as a solid personal score helps you get a mortgage or car loan, a strong business score unlocks higher limits, better terms, and more room to grow. That matters in paving, concrete, and roadwork where big-ticket buys and bulk orders are routine. Better terms give you breathing room on cash flow, which fuels business growth when the work stacks up.
Lenders and vendors use the score to judge risk. If the number is low, expect tougher approvals and higher costs. If it is strong, you negotiate from a position of strength.
Your company credit score is separate from your personal score. Agencies build it from business activity only. The big three are Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian. Each has its own model, but they all weigh similar inputs: payment history, credit utilization, time in business, and public filings.
Dun & Bradstreet’s Paydex score runs from 0 to 100. Scores of 80 or higher signal on-time payments and lower risk. In plain terms, the closer you are to 100, the more confident suppliers feel extending favorable terms.
Start with Dun & Bradstreet to pull a company credit report. You can view basic information at no cost, and pay for deeper detail if you need it. Do the same with Equifax and Experian if you want a full picture.
Read the report closely. Look for outdated addresses, old trade lines, or accounts that are not yours. Small errors can drag down a score and delay approvals. Dispute anything inaccurate, then recheck to confirm updates.
Contractors often need capital up front to purchase equipment and keep a steady supply of materials moving. A high business credit score gives you leverage. You are more likely to win higher limits, longer terms, and better rates. Vendors are also more willing to offer early-pay discounts or flexible plans on bulk orders. That flexibility smooths cash flow so you can scale crews and equipment without choking your pipeline.
If tracking or improving your score feels complicated, AK DASH can point you in the right direction. Contact us today and we will help you map the next steps.