How to Build Business Credit Fast in 2026: Complete Guide (No Personal Guarantee Required)

Last Updated: January 14, 2026

Building strong business credit fast isn't just smart—it's essential for serious business owners. Whether you're starting from scratch or trying to strengthen an existing profile, this comprehensive 2026 guide reveals the exact vendor accounts, credit cards, and strategies that commercial lending brokers recommend to their clients. You'll learn how to establish a PAYDEX 80+ score in 90 days, access better financing terms, and separate your personal credit from business liabilities forever.

Full Disclosure: Unlike Nav, Brex, or Credit Suite who profit from selling you their proprietary tools and services, this guide comes from commercial lending brokers who review hundreds of business credit profiles every year. We have no vendor accounts to sell you, no $299/month monitoring services to push. Just what actually works—and honest timelines vs. marketing hype.

What is Business Credit (And Why Brokers Care)

Business credit is your company's financial reputation—a credit score for your business that's completely separate from your personal credit. Just like personal credit, it's based on how reliably you pay bills, how much debt you carry, and how long you've been in business.

Here's what most guides won't tell you: Commercial lending brokers pay close attention to their clients' business credit profiles because it directly impacts loan approval rates, interest rates, and the quality of lenders they can access.

Why Business Credit Matters to You (And Your Broker)

• Protect personal credit: Keep business and personal finances separate (strengthens corporate veil)
• Higher borrowing limits: Access $50K-$5M+ in capital without personal credit limits
• Better terms: A PAYDEX 80+ can mean 2-3% better interest rates on SBA loans, equipment financing, and working capital
• Faster underwriting: Brokers can move clients through the loan process 50% faster with established business credit
• Business credibility: Vendors, suppliers, and partners check business credit before extending terms
• Access to premium lenders: Top-tier lenders require established business credit profiles

The Three Major Business Credit Bureaus (2026 Update)

Understanding how each bureau scores you is critical because different lenders check different bureaus—and your scores can vary significantly between them.

1. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) - The Industry Standard

• PAYDEX Score: 0-100 scale (80 = on-time, 90-100 = early payments, 50-79 = slow pays)
• Most widely used by lenders, suppliers, and vendors (90%+ of commercial lenders check D&B)
• D-U-N-S Number: Unique 9-digit identifier for your business (required for most B2B credit)
• 2026 Pricing: Free basic profile; CreditBuilder Plus $149/month; premium monitoring $299/month
• Reporting threshold: Most vendors report after 3+ transactions or $1,000+ in volume

2. Experian Business - Lender Favorite

• Intelliscore Plus: 1-100 scale (76+ is excellent, 51-75 is good, 1-50 is high risk)
• Used by 70%+ of business lenders for financing decisions
• Business credit report shows payment history, credit usage, public records, and inquiries
• Partially linked to personal credit - owner's personal credit can influence score
• 2026 Pricing: Free basic report; premium monitoring $39-99/month

3. Equifax Business - The Compliance Check

• Business Credit Risk Score: 101-992 scale (700+ is good, 800+ is excellent)
• Business Failure Score: 1,000-1,610 scale (1,400+ indicates low failure risk)
• Used by suppliers, vendors, and some lenders for risk assessment
• Monitors business payment behavior across industries
• 2026 Pricing: Free basic monitoring; premium reports $50-150 each

7 Proven Strategies to Build Business Credit Fast in 2026

These strategies are what professional brokers recommend to clients who need established business credit profiles before applying for commercial loans. Follow them sequentially for best results.

Strategy 1: Establish Your Business Foundation (Week 1-2)

Before you can build business credit, you need to exist as a legal entity completely separate from yourself personally. This is non-negotiable.

Action Steps:

• Form an LLC or Corporation: File with your state secretary of state's office ($50-$500 depending on state). Sole proprietors CANNOT build true business credit.
• Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number): Free from IRS.gov (takes 5 minutes online). This is your business's "Social Security number."
• Open a business bank account: Use your EIN, not your SSN. Choose a business bank (Chase, Bank of America, or local credit union).
• Get a dedicated business phone: Listed in your business name (Google Voice works, but dedicated VoIP is better).
• Establish a physical business address: Not a P.O. Box—must be a physical location. Virtual offices work if they provide a street address.
• Create a professional online presence: Basic website with your business info, even a simple one-pager on Wix or Squarespace.

⏱ Timeline: 1-2 weeks to complete all steps. Cost: $100-$700 total. This is the foundation—skip it and nothing else will work.

Strategy 2: Get Your D-U-N-S Number (Week 2)

Your D-U-N-S Number is like a Social Security number for your business. It's required for building business credit with Dun & Bradstreet—and D&B is the #1 bureau lenders check.

Action Steps:

• Apply for free at dnb.com: Navigate to "Get a D-U-N-S Number" (don't pay for expedited unless you're in a rush)
• Provide accurate business information: Legal name, address, phone, EIN, business start date
• Wait for assignment: Free option takes 30 days; expedited costs $200+ and takes 1-2 business days
• Verify your listing: Once assigned, log into D&B and check that your business profile is 100% accurate
• Update if needed: Correct any errors immediately—wrong info can delay credit reporting

⏱ Timeline: 1-30 days depending on free vs. paid option.
💰 Cost: Free (standard) or $200-$500 (expedited with monitoring)

Strategy 3: Establish Net-30 Vendor Credit Accounts (The Core Strategy)

This is where the magic happens. Vendor credit (trade credit) is the fastest, most reliable way to build business credit—especially if you're starting from scratch or have limited/poor personal credit.

What are Net-30 vendors? These are companies that extend payment terms (typically "Net-30" meaning you have 30 days to pay) and report your payment history to business credit bureaus. Pay early or on time for 3-6 months, and your PAYDEX score starts climbing.

The 15 Best Net-30 Vendor Accounts for 2026 (Complete Guide)

This table shows exactly which vendors to target based on your business stage, what they report to, and realistic approval expectations.

Color Key: Green = Easiest for startups | Blue = Requires vehicles/fleet | Yellow = Credit-building services/tools

How to Use Net-30 Vendor Accounts (Step-by-Step)

1. Phase 1 (Month 1): Apply for 3-5 "Easy" starter vendors from the green section above (Uline, Quill, Crown, WB Mason, Summa)
2. Make small initial purchases: $50-$200 per vendor. Buy things you actually need (office supplies, shipping materials, etc.)
3. Set up Net-30 terms: When checking out, request Net-30 payment terms (not same as using a credit card)
4. Pay invoices 5-10 days EARLY: If invoice is due February 15, pay on February 5-10. This boosts your PAYDEX to 90-100 instead of just 80
5. Repeat monthly: Make at least one purchase per month from each vendor for 3-6 months
6. Verify reporting: After 60-90 days, check your D&B profile to confirm tradelines are appearing
7. Phase 2 (Month 2-3): Add 2-3 more vendors and gradually increase purchase amounts to $200-$500
8. Request credit limit increases: After 4-6 months of on-time payments, request higher limits

💡 Pro Tip from Brokers: Pay a few days early to maximize your PAYDEX score. Dun & Bradstreet rewards early payments with higher scores: 100 = 30+ days early, 90 = 20-29 days early, 80 = on time. The difference between an 80 and a 90 PAYDEX can mean thousands in interest savings on a $250K loan.

⏱ Timeline: 30-60 days to see first tradelines appear on your credit report; 90-120 days for PAYDEX score to appear.
💰 Cost Reality: $50-200/month in small purchases for 3-6 months = $300-$1,200 total investment. ROI = $2,000-$10,000+ in interest savings on your next loan.

Strategy 4: Get Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards that report to business credit bureaus are powerful tools for building credit quickly while earning rewards.

Starter Business Credit Cards:

• Brex: No personal guarantee for funded startups
• Capital One Spark: Reports to all major bureaus
• American Express Business Cards: Reports to Experian
• Chase Ink Business: Reports to all major bureaus
• Bank of America Business Advantage: Reports to bureaus

Store Business Credit Cards:

• Home Depot Business Credit: Easy approval, reports to D&B
• Lowe's Business Account: Reports to business bureaus
• Staples Business Credit: Easy starter card
• Sam's Club Business Credit: Good for building credit

Action Steps:

1. Start with store cards: Easier approval for new businesses
2. Use cards regularly: Make small purchases monthly
3. Pay in full monthly: Avoid interest and show responsibility
4. Keep utilization low: Under 30% of credit limit (under 10% is ideal)
5. Request credit limit increases: Every 6-12 months

Important: Not all business credit cards report to business credit bureaus. Verify before applying that they report to at least one major bureau (D&B, Experian, or Equifax).

Timeline: 60-90 days after opening account for reporting to begin

Strategy 5: Report Your Rent and Utility Payments

You're already paying rent, utilities, and phone bills—make them work for your credit score!

Services That Report Payments:

• Dun & Bradstreet CreditBuilder: Reports various payment types to D&B
• Nav: Free business credit monitoring and reporting
• Experian Boost for Business: Add utility and telecom payments
• Landlord direct reporting: Ask your landlord to report to D&B

What You Can Report:

• Office rent or lease payments
• Business phone (landline and mobile)
• Internet service
• Gas and electric utilities
• Water and sewer
• Some subscription services

Action Steps:

1. Sign up for reporting services: Like Nav or CreditBuilder
2. Link your payment accounts: Connect utilities, phone, rent
3. Ensure timely payments: Set up autopay to never miss
4. Monitor reporting: Verify payments show up on credit reports

Timeline: 30-60 days after enrollment to see payments reported

Strategy 6: Get a Small Business Credit-Builder Loan

Credit-builder loans are designed specifically to help you build credit. You make payments into a savings account, and the lender reports on-time payments to credit bureaus.

Where to Get Credit-Builder Loans:

• Local credit unions: Many offer business credit-builder programs
• Community banks: Often have credit-building products
• Online lenders: Some specialize in credit-building loans
• Nav Credit-Builder Loan: Specifically for business credit

Action Steps:

1. Apply for a small loan: $1,000-$5,000 is sufficient
2. Confirm reporting: Ensure they report to business credit bureaus
3. Set up autopay: Never miss a payment
4. Complete the term: Usually 12-24 months
5. Receive funds plus interest: Get your money back (minus fees)

Timeline: 30 days after first payment to see reporting begin; 12-24 months for full impact

Strategy 7: Monitor and Dispute Errors

Regularly checking your business credit reports helps you catch errors that could be hurting your score.

How to Monitor:

• Nav.com: Free business credit monitoring (all three bureaus)
• Dun & Bradstreet CreditSignal: Free basic monitoring
• Experian Business: Offers free reports with limited monitoring
• Credit Suite: Paid service with comprehensive monitoring

Common Errors to Look For:

• Incorrect business information (name, address, phone)
• Accounts that aren't yours
• Late payments you actually paid on time
• Duplicate accounts
• Outdated information
• Wrong credit limits

Action Steps:

1. Check reports monthly: Set a recurring calendar reminder
2. Identify errors: Document any incorrect information
3. File disputes: Contact the bureau reporting the error
4. Provide documentation: Proof of correct information
5. Follow up: Bureaus must investigate within 30 days

Timeline: Ongoing—make this a monthly habit

90-Day Business Credit Building Plan

Days 1-30: Foundation Phase

Week 1:

• Form LLC or corporation (if not already done)
• Get EIN from IRS
• Open business bank account
• Get business phone number
• Apply for D-U-N-S Number

Week 2-3:

• Apply for 3-5 vendor credit accounts (Uline, Quill, Grainger, etc.)
• Apply for 1-2 store business credit cards (Home Depot, Staples)
• Set up business email and professional website
• Register with Nav.com for free credit monitoring

Week 4:

• Make first purchases on vendor accounts (small amounts)
• Use store credit cards for small purchases
• Set up payment reminders or autopay
• Verify D-U-N-S Number received

Days 31-60: Building Phase

Week 5-6:

• Pay first vendor invoices EARLY (5-10 days before due date)
• Pay store credit card balances in full
• Make second round of vendor purchases
• Apply for additional vendor accounts (2-3 more)

Week 7-8:

• Apply for a major business credit card (Capital One, Chase, Amex)
• Enroll in rent/utility payment reporting service
• Continue paying all accounts early or on time
• Check first business credit report (should show initial activity)

Days 61-90: Acceleration Phase

Week 9-10:

• Increase credit limits on existing cards (if possible)
• Apply for 2-3 more vendor accounts
• Consider a small credit-builder loan
• Maintain 100% on-time payment record

Week 11-12:

• Review full credit reports from all three bureaus
• Dispute any errors or inaccuracies
• Document your credit references and scores
• Plan next 90 days of credit building

Expected Results After 90 Days:

• Credit references: 5-10 tradelines reporting
• PAYDEX score: 70-80+ (if paying early)
• Credit approval: Easier approval for net-30 terms and credit cards
• Foundation established: Solid base for continued growth

Best Practices for Building Business Credit

1. Always Pay Early or On Time

This is the #1 rule. Payment history is the biggest factor in business credit scores. Even one late payment can significantly damage your score.

• Set up autopay for all accounts
• Set payment reminders 5 days before due dates
• Pay early when possible (boosts PAYDEX score)
• If you'll be late, contact creditor immediately

2. Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate

Mixing personal and business finances weakens your corporate veil and makes it harder to build true business credit.

• Never use personal credit cards for business expenses
• Don't use business cards for personal purchases
• Maintain separate bank accounts
• Keep clean accounting records

3. Use Credit Regularly But Responsibly

Inactive accounts don't help your credit. Use each credit account at least once per month, but keep utilization low.

• Make small purchases on all cards monthly
• Pay balances in full to avoid interest
• Keep utilization under 30% (under 10% is ideal)
• Don't max out credit limits

4. Build a Mix of Credit Types

A diverse credit mix shows you can manage different types of credit responsibly.

• Revolving credit: Credit cards, lines of credit
• Installment credit: Term loans, equipment financing
• Trade credit: Vendor accounts with net-30/60/90 terms

5. Start Small and Scale Up

Don't apply for large amounts of credit immediately. Build a history first, then request increases.

• Start with vendor accounts (easiest approval)
• Move to store credit cards
• Then apply for major business credit cards
• Finally, apply for larger loans and lines of credit

6. Request Credit Limit Increases

Higher credit limits improve your utilization ratio and show creditors trust you.

• Request increases every 6-12 months
• Make sure account is 6+ months old first
• Have a record of on-time payments
• Keep utilization low before requesting

What to Avoid When Building Business Credit

❌ Don't Apply for Too Much Credit at Once

Multiple credit applications in a short time can hurt your score and raise red flags.

• Limit applications to 2-3 per month
• Space out applications over time
• Only apply for credit you actually need

❌ Don't Close Old Accounts

Length of credit history matters. Keep old accounts open and active even if you rarely use them.

❌ Don't Miss Payments—Ever

One late payment can drop your score significantly and stay on your report for 7 years.

❌ Don't Max Out Credit Cards

High utilization (above 30%) hurts your credit score. Keep balances low relative to limits.

❌ Don't Ignore Your Personal Credit

Many business lenders still check personal credit, especially for newer businesses. Maintain both.

❌ Don't Fall for "Credit Repair" Scams

Companies promising to "erase bad credit" or "guarantee 700+ scores" are almost always scams. Build credit legitimately.

How Long Does It Take to Build Business Credit?

Can You Really Build Business Credit in 2 Weeks? (The Truth About Nav's Claims)

You've probably seen ads from Nav, Brex, and other services claiming you can "build business credit in 2 weeks" or "30 days to established credit." Let's be honest about what's realistic—and what's marketing spin.

What You CAN Do in 2 Weeks

• ✓ Form your LLC or corporation
• ✓ Get your EIN from the IRS
• ✓ Apply for D-U-N-S Number (expedited)
• ✓ Open business bank account
• ✓ Apply for 5-7 Net-30 vendor accounts
• ✓ Set up free credit monitoring

What You CANNOT Do in 2 Weeks

• ✗ Have tradelines appear on credit reports (takes 30-60 days minimum)
• ✗ Get a PAYDEX score assigned (requires 3+ tradelines reporting for 90+ days)
• ✗ Qualify for business loans based on business credit alone
• ✗ Establish "strong" or "excellent" business credit

The Honest 90-Day Timeline

Here's what brokers tell their clients: 90 days minimum to establish reportable business credit, 180 days to have a strong profile. This assumes:

• You complete foundation setup in weeks 1-2
• You open 5-10 vendor accounts by week 4
• You make monthly purchases and pay early for 90 days
• Vendors actually report (not all do automatically)
• You maintain perfect payment history

Can you accelerate this? Slightly. Expedite your D-U-N-S Number ($200), use paid reporting services like Nav ($39-99/month), and apply for 10+ vendors instead of 5. But you still can't skip the 90-day waiting period for tradelines to report and scores to generate.

How to Build Business Credit with Bad Personal Credit

This is one of the most common questions we get from brokers' clients: "My personal credit is under 600. Can I still build business credit?" The answer: Yes, but you need a different strategy.

Why Bad Personal Credit Matters (Even for Business Credit)

Business credit is separate from personal credit, but many business credit card issuers and some vendors still check personal credit during approval. However, the good news: once your business credit is established, lenders focus more on business credit than personal credit.

The Bad Personal Credit Strategy (Step-by-Step)

Phase 1: Start with "No Personal Credit Check" Vendors

These vendors approve based on business information only—no personal credit pull:

• ⭐ Uline - Industrial supplies, reports to all 3 bureaus, easy approval
• ⭐ Quill Office Supplies - Office supplies, reports to D&B, no personal credit check
• ⭐ Crown Office Supplies - Starter vendor, very easy approval
• ⭐ WB Mason - Office supplies, reports to D&B
• ⭐ Summa Office Supplies - Fast reporting to D&B

Phase 2: Use Store Credit Cards (Easier Approval)

Store business credit cards are more lenient than major bank cards:

• Home Depot Business Credit - Easier approval, reports to D&B
• Lowe's Business Account - Reports to business bureaus
• Staples Business Credit - Good starter card
• Amazon Business Prime Card - More flexible than major bank cards

Phase 3: Consider Secured Business Credit Cards

If denied for unsecured cards, secured business cards build credit with lower risk:

• Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card - $500-$25,000 deposit
• Bank of America Business Advantage Secured - Reports to business bureaus
• After 6-12 months of on-time payments, convert to unsecured

Phase 4: Use Credit-Building Services

• Nav.com - Tracks business credit, offers credit-builder loans
• Fundbox - Net-30 credit line, less stringent than traditional lenders
• Divvy (Bill.com) - Corporate card with flexible approval

Timeline Expectations with Bad Personal Credit

• Month 1-2: Foundation setup, apply for no-credit-check vendors (expect 60-70% approval rate)
• Month 3-4: First tradelines reporting, try store credit cards (expect smaller limits)
• Month 6: PAYDEX score appears (target 80+), apply for secured business cards
• Month 9-12: Strong business credit profile established, lenders focus on business credit
• Month 12-18: Business credit strong enough to overcome personal credit issues

✓ Success Rate: Clients with personal credit scores under 600 can build business credit scores of 80+ (PAYDEX) in 6-12 months with this strategy. The key is patience, consistency, and separating business from personal finances completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get a 700 business credit score in 30 days?

Short answer: You can't. It's unrealistic to achieve a 700+ business credit score (equivalent to PAYDEX 80+, Experian Intelliscore 76+, or Equifax 700+) in 30 days from scratch.

What you CAN do in 30 days: Complete legal setup (LLC, EIN, D-U-N-S Number), open business bank account, apply for 5-7 Net-30 vendor accounts, make first purchases, and set up credit monitoring.Actual credit scores require 90+ days of payment history before bureaus will assign scores.

How can I build credit in a newly started LLC?

Start immediately with these steps:

1. Week 1: Get EIN from IRS, apply for D-U-N-S Number, open business bank account
2. Week 2-3: Apply for easy-approval Net-30 vendors (Uline, Quill, Crown, WB Mason, Summa)
3. Week 4-12: Make small monthly purchases ($50-200), pay invoices 5-10 days early
4. Month 3: Add store business credit cards (Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples)
5. Month 4: Check credit reports, verify tradelines are reporting, apply for more accounts

Timeline: 90 days for first PAYDEX score, 180 days for strong profile.

What is the 15/3 credit trick for business credit?

The "15/3 rule" is a personal credit strategy that doesn't directly apply to business credit. The personal credit version suggests making payments 15 days before due date and 3 days before statement close to lower reported balances.

For business credit, the equivalent strategy is:

• Pay invoices 15-20 days early to achieve maximum PAYDEX score (90-100)
• Make at least 3 purchases per month across different vendors to establish consistent payment history
• Keep credit card utilization under 30% (under 10% is ideal) before statement closes

What credit score does a new LLC start with?

A new LLC starts with NO business credit score. You don't automatically get a score just by forming the company. You must actively build a credit profile from scratch.

How to get your first score:

1. Obtain a D-U-N-S Number (creates your business credit file)
2. Establish 3+ vendor tradelines that report to business credit bureaus
3. Build 90+ days of payment history
4. Once you have 3+ tradelines reporting for 90+ days, bureaus will assign scores

First score range: Expect PAYDEX 70-80 initially if you pay on time, 80-90 if you pay early.

Frequently Asked Questions (Continued)

How to build business credit in 30 days?

In 30 days, you can lay the foundation but not build actual credit scores. Realistic 30-day goals:

• ✓ Complete legal setup (LLC, EIN, business bank account)
• ✓ Get D-U-N-S Number (use expedited service)
• ✓ Apply for 5+ Net-30 vendor accounts
• ✓ Make first purchases on vendor accounts
• ✓ Set up free credit monitoring
• ✗ Have tradelines reporting (takes 60+ days)
• ✗ Have credit scores assigned (takes 90+ days)

How to establish business credit fast?

The fastest way to establish business credit is to follow this accelerated 90-day plan:

• Weeks 1-2: Form LLC, get EIN, get D-U-N-S Number (expedited), open business bank account
• Weeks 3-6: Apply for 5-10 Net-30 vendor accounts, make small purchases ($50-200 each)
• Weeks 7-12: Pay ALL invoices 10-15 days early, add business credit cards, reach 10+ tradelines
• Month 4-6: Monitor credit reports weekly, request limit increases, maintain perfect payment history

Investment: $300-$700 setup costs + $100-300/month in vendor purchases = $700-$1,500 total to establish credit in 90 days.

How long does it take to build business credit?

Minimum timeline: 90 days. Realistic timeline breakdown:

• 30-60 days: First tradelines appear on credit reports
• 90 days: PAYDEX score assigned (requires 3+ tradelines reporting)
• 6 months: Good credit (PAYDEX 70-80, Intelliscore 60-75)
• 12-18 months: Excellent credit (PAYDEX 90-100, Intelliscore 76+) and access to premium financing

How to build corporate credit fast?

Corporate credit building requires: (1) Incorporating your business (LLC or Corporation—sole proprietors cannot build business credit), (2) Getting EIN and D-U-N-S Number, (3) Opening 5-10 Net-30 vendor accounts that report to D&B, Experian, and Equifax, (4) Paying all invoices 5-10 days early for 90+ days, (5) Adding business credit cards that report to business bureaus, and (6) Keeping personal and business finances strictly separated.

Critical: "Corporate credit" and "business credit" are the same thing. The term "corporate" emphasizes that you must be incorporated (LLC/Corp) to build it.

How to build PAYDEX score?

Build a PAYDEX score by establishing vendor tradelines that report to Dun & Bradstreet and paying early:

• PAYDEX 100: Pay 30+ days early
• PAYDEX 90: Pay 20-29 days early
• PAYDEX 80: Pay on time (day 0-15 of term)
• PAYDEX 70: Pay 15 days late
• PAYDEX 50: Pay 30 days late

Minimum requirements: You need at least 3 tradelines reporting to D&B before a PAYDEX score is assigned, which typically takes 90 days of payment history.

Fastest way to build business credit?

The fastest proven strategy:

1. Week 1: Complete legal foundation (LLC, EIN, bank account, D-U-N-S Number expedited for $200)
2. Week 2: Apply for 5-7 easy Net-30 vendors (Uline, Quill, Crown, WB Mason, Summa, Grainger, Reliable)
3. Weeks 3-12: Make purchases immediately, pay 15-20 days early every single time
4. Month 2: Add 3-5 more vendors, apply for store credit cards
5. Month 3: Apply for major business credit cards, reach 10-15 total tradelines
6. Day 90: Check credit reports—should see PAYDEX 80-90, multiple tradelines reporting

This achieves a PAYDEX 80-90 in 90-120 days, which is the fastest realistic timeline without paying for expensive "credit building" services.

Can I build business credit as a sole proprietor?

It's very difficult. Most business credit bureaus require you to be an LLC, corporation, or partnership. If you're serious about building business credit, form an LLC or corporation.

Do I need good personal credit to build business credit?

Not necessarily, but it helps. Many starter vendor accounts and store cards will approve you based on your business, but personal credit is often checked. Having decent personal credit (640+) makes the process much easier.

How much does it cost to build business credit?

The basics are free or low-cost:

• LLC formation: $50-$500 depending on state
• EIN: Free from IRS
• D-U-N-S Number: Free (or $200+ for expedited)
• Credit monitoring: Free with Nav.com
• Vendor accounts: Free to apply

Optional paid services (CreditBuilder, Credit Suite, etc.) run $50-$300/month but aren't required.

Will building business credit affect my personal credit?

Generally no, if done correctly. Business credit is separate from personal credit. However:

• Initial applications may cause soft or hard pulls on personal credit
• Personal guarantees mean you're liable if business defaults
• Some business cards report to personal credit bureaus
• Defaults on business credit can affect personal credit if you guaranteed the debt

Can I get business credit with bad personal credit?

Yes, but it's harder and you'll need to:

• Start with vendor accounts (less stringent requirements)
• Be prepared for higher deposits or fees
• Focus on lenders that don't check personal credit
• Expect smaller initial credit limits
• Work on improving personal credit simultaneously

What's a good business credit score?

It depends on the bureau:

• PAYDEX (D&B): 80+ is good, 90-100 is excellent
• Intelliscore Plus (Experian): 76+ is good, 90+ is excellent
• Equifax Business Risk Score: 700+ is good, 900+ is excellent

The Bottom Line: Your 2026 Action Plan

Building business credit fast is absolutely possible with the right strategy—but it requires 90-180 days of consistent effort, not the "2 weeks" some services claim. By following these seven proven strategies, paying early, and maintaining perfect payment history, you can establish a strong business credit profile that unlocks better financing terms and higher limits.

Need Financing While Building Credit?

Building business credit takes 90-180 days, but you might need financing now. The good news: many lenders specialize in working with businesses that have limited or developing credit histories.

For businesses with limited documentation, explore our no-doc lending options. Applying for your first business loan? Our complete guide walks you through the process step-by-step.

Author Note: This guide is written by the Commercial Lending Broker team, with insights from 500+ commercial lending professionals who review business credit profiles daily. Updated December 26, 2025 with 2026 vendor pricing, current bureau information, and real-world strategies that work.

Disclaimer: This guide provides educational information about building business credit. Consult with financial advisors and commercial lending professionals for advice specific to your business situation.