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Best Personal Loans for Home Improvements
BRAND PASS · Loans · U.S. borrowers
Best Personal Loans for Home Improvements
Plan the upgrade. Compare the financing. Keep the repayment within reach.
Explore SoFi home improvement personal loans or compare participating personal loan lenders through Credible. Review the APR, fees and repayment term alongside your project budget before choosing.
For eligible U.S. borrowers. Approval and terms depend on your circumstances. This guide covers personal loans; home equity products are covered separately.
About this guide: Links go to official company websites; no affiliate tracking links are currently used. These are two selected options, not a complete market ranking. “Best” depends on your personalized offer and budget. BRAND PASS does not lend money or approve applications. Information reviewed October 8, 2026.
Compare personal loans for your project
Personal loans typically provide a lump sum repaid over an agreed term. For an unsecured personal loan, your home is not pledged as collateral. Confirm the agreement and permitted use before accepting an offer.
SoFi Home Improvement Personal Loans
A starting point if you want to explore project financing directly with SoFi.
- Compare the amount, payment and term available for your borrowing need.
- The initial rate check uses a soft credit pull; continuing an application can involve a hard pull.
- Review any origination fee options and the conditions required for rate discounts.
Before choosing: Compare the actual APR and total payments, including any fee. A discounted headline rate may have conditions.
Explore SoFi home improvement loans ↗Credible Home Improvement Loan Comparison
A starting point for comparing personal loans from participating lenders for home improvement expenses.
- Initial rate checking through Credible does not affect your credit score.
- Compare APR, fees and terms across available personal loan options.
- The selected lender determines final eligibility and may conduct a hard inquiry.
Before choosing: Select personal loan offers that allow your project’s intended use. Prequalified terms can change after verification.
Compare personal loans with Credible ↗Company links open in a new tab. A marketplace covers participating lenders, not every available option. You may see SoFi among marketplace results.
Choose how you want to compare
| Compare | SoFi | Credible |
|---|---|---|
| Service type | Direct personal loan lender | Personal loan comparison marketplace |
| Offers to review | SoFi’s personalized loan options | Options from participating lenders |
| Costs | APR, fee options and discount conditions | Each matched lender’s APR and fees |
| Project fit | Loan amount, permitted use and timing | Selected lender’s amount, use and timing requirements |
| Final decision | Subject to lender underwriting and verification | Made by the selected lender after its required checks |
Credit score, income, existing debt and state availability can affect eligibility. Prequalification is not guaranteed approval or funding.
Start with the project—not the maximum loan
Get a written scope and itemized quotes before deciding how much to borrow. Include labor, materials, permits and agreed extras, then subtract cash you can comfortably contribute.
1. Define the work
Separate essential repairs from optional upgrades. Check contractor credentials, insurance and the proposed payment schedule. Confirm what each quote includes.
2. Allow for uncertainty
Discuss a realistic contingency with your contractor. Hidden damage, material changes and approved variations can increase costs. Avoid borrowing for an undefined project.
3. Match cash to timing
Check when deposits and milestone payments are due. Do not commit based on assumed loan approval or funding speed. Personal loan interest can begin before the work is complete.
| Budget item | Example |
|---|---|
| Quoted work, materials and permits | $12,000 |
| Illustrative contingency | $1,200 |
| Total planning budget | $13,200 |
| Cash contribution | −$3,200 |
| Net loan proceeds needed | $10,000 |
The contingency above is illustrative, not a recommended percentage for every project. Actual costs depend on scope and location. A fee deducted from loan proceeds can leave you short of the amount needed.
Balance the monthly payment with the full cost
Compare APR for similar amounts and terms. Review origination fees, net proceeds, monthly payments and total repayment. A longer term can reduce your payment while increasing total interest.
| Term | Monthly payment | Total payments | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 months | $332.14 | $11,957.15 | $1,957.15 |
| 60 months | $222.44 | $13,346.67 | $3,346.67 |
Hypothetical example, not an offer. Assumes monthly amortizing payments, no fees and no early repayment. Totals use unrounded payments; actual schedules may vary slightly.
The tradeoff: The longer term lowers this monthly payment by about $110 but adds about $1,390 in interest.
Check the cash received: A hypothetical $10,000 loan with a 5% fee deducted from proceeds provides $9,500, leaving a $500 gap against a $10,000 financing need. Compare the lender’s actual fee treatment and final disclosures.
Borrow for value you can afford
A renovation does not guarantee a higher sale price or a return equal to its cost. Decide whether the improvement is worth the project cost plus financing charges. For optional work, saving first or completing it in stages may reduce the amount you need to borrow.
Home improvement personal loan FAQs
What is the best personal loan for home improvements?
The best fit is an eligible offer that covers your project with affordable payments and competitive total cost. Compare SoFi’s actual terms with available personal loan options through Credible. No single provider is best for every borrower.
Do I need home equity for a personal loan?
An unsecured personal loan does not require you to pledge home equity as collateral. Eligibility is assessed through the lender’s underwriting process. Home equity loans and HELOCs are separate products covered in other guides.
Can I use the loan for a kitchen, bathroom or roof project?
Personal loans may cover eligible renovation and repair expenses, subject to lender restrictions. Confirm your intended use, requested amount and contractor payment timing before applying.
Will checking rates affect my credit score?
SoFi and Credible describe initial rate checks that do not affect your score. Continuing to a formal lender application can involve a hard inquiry. Read the consent language before proceeding.
Does a personal loan require collateral?
An unsecured personal loan does not. Some lenders also offer secured options, so verify the specific agreement and any collateral or lien provisions. This guide focuses on personal loan financing.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
Timing depends on approval, verification, agreement signing and bank processing. Do not assume the funds will arrive by a contractor’s deadline until the lender confirms the schedule.
Should I borrow the full project cost?
Decide how much cash you can contribute while keeping an appropriate reserve. Borrow only the remaining amount you can afford to repay, accounting for any fee deduction and planned contingency.
What if the project costs more than expected?
Review and approve changes in writing. Check your contingency and budget before taking on more debt. A larger loan or second loan is not guaranteed, so avoid relying on future borrowing to complete the work.
Choose financing that fits the project and your budget.
Explore personalized terms, compare the full repayment cost and confirm your plan before accepting a loan.
How this guide was prepared: We reviewed official product and personal loan comparison information for the two services, focusing on service type, fees, credit checks and repayment cost. We have not tested applications or ranked every lender. No live rate quotes are displayed. Home equity products are covered separately.
Sources: SoFi home improvement personal loans; SoFi personal loan rates and terms; Credible home improvement comparison; Credible personal loan process; CFPB personal loan fee guidance. Reviewed October 8, 2026.
General educational information for U.S. borrowers. The lender determines eligibility and final terms. Verify current disclosures before applying.