Compare carefully

Home improvement & equipment financing

A better home.
A payment you
understand.

Replacing the HVAC, fixing a foundation or finally renovating? Understand your financing options before you choose a loan.

Explore your projectEstimate a payment

Independent education. No loan application or credit check on this page.

A two-story home with pale siding, wood accents and a landscaped front yard
Make room for what comes next.Start with the full cost.

01 / Your project

What are you working on?

Each project has different timing, documentation and funding needs. Start with the questions that matter.

Repair & replacement

HVAC replacement financing

Get a written equipment and installation quote before you decide how much to borrow. Check whether electrical work, permits and removal of the old unit are included.

Read the complete financing guide

Ask before you finance

  • Does the contractor offer multiple financing plans, and who is the lender?
  • Is a promotional plan deferred interest or a true 0% APR offer?
  • Will the loan's net proceeds cover the complete installation?
Heating & cooling

HVAC replacement financing

A failed furnace or air conditioner can make financing feel urgent. Start with the complete installed price, then compare the loan separately from the equipment.

Read the guideProtecting your home

Roof replacement financing

A roof quote is only useful when you know what it includes. Separate confirmed insurance proceeds, your own cash and borrowing before committing to the replacement.

Read the guideSpecialty home repair

Septic system financing

Septic replacement can require design, permits and site work as well as a new system. Check public funding resources before choosing a private loan.

Read the guideStructural repair

Foundation repair financing

Before borrowing for a structural repair, understand what problem the work is intended to solve. Compare documented repair scopes before comparing monthly payments.

Read the guidePlanned renovation

Kitchen & bathroom financing

A remodel budget should follow the construction schedule. Understand allowances and change orders before choosing how much to borrow or when to draw the money.

Read the guidePools & outdoor living

Pool financing

A pool shell or equipment price is not the complete installed cost. Build a budget for the finished project and ongoing ownership before choosing a loan.

Read the guide

Explore more projects

More ways to improve your home.

Window and door replacement financing

Replacing drafty windows, a patio door or every opening in the house? Compare the installed scope and financing separately, and check efficiency-program rules before placing a custom order.

Read the guide

Siding replacement financing

Vinyl, fiber cement and other siding systems involve more than panels. Start with the entire exterior scope, then compare how much cash each financing option actually provides.

Read the guide

Basement waterproofing financing

Water seepage, drainage problems and high humidity can require different solutions. Finance a defined scope rather than treating every damp basement as the same repair.

Read the guide

Bathroom accessibility and walk-in tub financing

An accessible shower, walk-in tub or other modification should fit the person using the room. Separate the required features from optional upgrades, and check assistance before committing to financing.

Read the guide

Well replacement and water-system financing

A failed pump, a new well and a treatment system are different purchases. Identify the required work and local approvals before deciding how much to borrow.

Read the guide

Check local programs before borrowing.

Explore Pennsylvania repair financing and New York septic assistance in our state financing guides.

02 / Your financing options

Explore your financing options.

Compare the cost, collateral and payment structure. The right choice depends on the offer and your circumstances.

01

Personal loan

A lump sum repaid over a set term. Some products are unsecured; others require collateral.

What to compare
APR, fees, net proceeds and total repayment.
What to ask
Is home improvement an eligible use? Does accepting the loan require a hard credit inquiry?

Read the personal loan guide

02

Contractor financing

A financing plan arranged through your contractor or a merchant program. The lender and terms can vary by plan.

What to compare
The cash quote, financed quote and promotion terms.
What to ask
Who issues the financing? When do payments begin, and what happens when a promotion ends?

Read the contractor financing guide

03

Home equity

A home equity loan provides a lump sum. A HELOC lets you draw from an available credit line.

What to compare
Closing costs, rate changes, lien terms and draw-period payments.
What to ask
Is the project timeline compatible with closing? Your home is collateral and can be at risk if you cannot repay.

Read the home equity loan guide

Read the separate HELOC guide

Also explore home improvement lease-to-own, cash-out refinancing, credit cards and promotions, or the complete financing library.

Start with the overview, then read the dedicated guides for costs, eligibility, examples and questions to ask. These are financing categories, not live lender offers.

03 / The numbers

See what a payment
could look like.

Try a loan amount, interest rate and repayment term. Then look at total repayment—not just the monthly number.

Illustrative fixed-rate installment loan. These inputs are examples, not advertised loan terms. The interest rate is not the APR, which can include fees.

Estimated monthly payment$444.89
Total repayment$26,693.34
Total interest$6,693.34
Cash after deducted fee$20,000.00
Deducted origination fee$0.00

Assumes the fee is deducted from the original loan amount, not added to principal. Excludes other charges. Actual repayment depends on the lender's terms. Values stay in this page; no credit information is requested.

04 / Before you say yes

A smaller payment
is only one part
of the story.

Keep the contractor quote and lender disclosures together so you can compare the complete project cost.

Read the CFPB's guide to personal-loan fees
  1. 01

    Compare APR and all fees

    Check origination charges, net proceeds, prepayment terms and total repayment. A fee deduction can leave you short of the project budget.

  2. 02

    Understand promotions

    Ask whether interest accrues during a promotional period and what you would owe if the balance remains when the promotion ends.

  3. 03

    Confirm collateral and credit checks

    Ask what secures the financing and whether prequalification and acceptance use different credit inquiries. A home-equity product puts your home on the line.

  4. 04

    Match funding to the contract

    Confirm the recipient, disbursement timing and cancellation process. Avoid signing financing terms you have not reviewed.

Go deeper

Know the terms.
Keep your options open.

Personal installment loans CFPB resourceHome equity loans CFPB resourceHome equity loan vs. HELOC CFPB resource

Equipment financing

For your own yard.
Or your next job.

Explore separate guides for residential yard equipment, commercial landscaping, construction and other business purchases.

Lawn mower financingPersonal useCommercial landscapingBusiness useExplore all equipment guidesEquipment hub