What’s the best way to finance my home improvement projects?

by. Melanie Pinola

Dear Lifehacker,
I have a few remodeling projects I want to get done soon, but I’m not sure how I’m going to pay for it all. Are the “zero percent interest” loans or credit card offers right for this? Or should I apply for a new home loan, like a home equity loan or line of credit? What’s the difference between all of these financing options?

Signed,
Financing My Fixer-Upper

Dear FMF,
Home improvement projects—whether you hire a pro or DIY—do cost a pretty penny, so most of us have to take out some sort of loan to pay for them. You’ve probably received “you’ve been approved for a personal loan!” letters in the mail or have been told you can refinance your mortgage and take money out for whatever you want. As with other major financial decisions, however, it’s really worth the time to understand your different choices so you don’t screw yourself in the long run. Let’s take a look.

Cash is usually preferable to accumulating more debt. However, with the average major kitchen remodel costing $54,909 and a bathroom remodel averaging $16,128, it could take decades before you’ve saved enough to do your projects and actually enjoy the results. For small projects, however, if you’re able to save enough in cash, this is probably the best way to go.

You could also do a combination of cash and one of the financing options below to reduce the amount you pay in interest. Also note that by “cash” we mean you pay for the project outright rather than get a loan for it that you pay off slowly. That could mean charging the project to your credit card so you get the rewards for it but then paying your credit card in full when it’s due, avoiding the interest.

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