Why Financing Is Part of the Planning Conversation
A mid-range kitchen remodel in Oakland or Wayne county typically runs $55,000-$95,000, and high-end projects with custom cabinetry can exceed $150,000. Very few homeowners pay for that entirely out of pocket, and there's no single right way to fund it, the right choice depends on your savings, your home equity, your credit profile, and how you feel about monthly payments versus a lump sum.
It's worth thinking through financing before your project is fully designed, not after, since your budget can influence decisions like cabinet tier and countertop material. This isn't an exhaustive financial advice guide, it's meant to give you the categories homeowners typically consider so you can have an informed conversation with a lender or financial advisor.
The Common Categories
Cash or savings is the simplest option when available: no interest, no application, no lender involved. The tradeoff is depleting a cash reserve that might otherwise cover emergencies or other goals.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan lets you borrow against the equity you've built in your home, typically at a lower rate than unsecured borrowing since the loan is secured by the property. These generally require an application through your bank or credit union and use your home as collateral, so it's worth understanding the terms fully before signing.
An unsecured personal loan doesn't require home equity as collateral and can move faster to fund, but terms and rates vary significantly by lender and credit profile. Some homeowners combine a smaller personal loan with cash savings to cover a project without touching home equity at all.
Contractor-arranged financing is a fourth path: rather than researching lenders yourself, your contractor connects you with a financing partner that specializes in home improvement loans, often with a faster approval process than a general-purpose personal loan.
Our Financing Partner
We work with Upgrade (upgrade.com/home-improvement) as our financing partner for homeowners who want to explore contractor-arranged financing for their project. Loans are made by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, and are subject to credit approval, and specific rates and terms are determined by Upgrade based on your application, not by us. If financing is something you want to explore, mention it when you request your estimate and we'll point you to the right next step.
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