Skip to Main Content

Best home improvement loans in December 2025

Updated Dec. 24, 2025

What to know first: The best home improvement loans offer a wide range of loan amounts, terms and APRs (annual percentage rates) to help you finance a home renovation or repair project. These personal loans can be used to improve just about any indoor or outdoor space within your property and funds are typically available the day after approval. Home improvement loan rates currently range from about 7 percent to about 36 percent.

Prequalify and compare home improvement loans

  • Checkmark Compare rates in less than 2 minutes
  • Checkmark Checking will not impact your credit score
Bankrate has helped thousands of homeowners secure funding for home improvements
How Bankrate works

Filter results

Close X
Best for large loan amounts
PERSONAL LOAN
LightStream
4.5
6.74- 20.94%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
660
$308
Loan amount
$5k-$100k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for thin or no credit
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.50- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$307
Loan amount
$1k-$75k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for short repayment terms
PERSONAL LOAN
Citi® Personal Loan
4.6
9.99- 19.49%
Min credit score
680
$323
Loan amount
$2k-$30k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for lowest starting rate
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for co-borrowers
PERSONAL LOAN
LendingClub
4.7
6.53- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$307
Loan amount
$1k-$60k
4.2
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for customer experience
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.74- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
600
$313
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best peer-to-peer lender
PERSONAL LOAN
Prosper
4.5
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$318
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for excellent credit borrowers
PERSONAL LOAN
Discover
4.8
7.99- 24.99%
Min credit score
660
$314
Loan amount
$2.5k-$40k
Not disclosed
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for rate discounts
PERSONAL LOAN
Achieve
4.5
8.99- 29.99%
Min credit score
640
$318
Loan amount
$5k-$50k
4.1
Read our reviewArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details

How Bankrate works

Woman looking for rates
01

Compare rates

Our team researched the best home improvement loan options available so you can compare lenders in one place.

02

Tell us the basics

Fill out a quick form to be matched with lenders that meet your needs. The details you provide are for prequalification purposes only and will not impact your credit score.

03

Get matched and receive funding

Choose a loan from a Bankrate partner and receive your funds to finance your home project if you qualify.

A closer look at our top home improvement loan lenders

LightStream: Best for large loan amounts

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
6.74%–20.94%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
660
Loan term
2-12 yrs
Origination fee
None
Pros
  • High maximum loan amount
  • Low APRs
  • No fees
Cons
  • Good to excellent credit required
  • High minimum loan amount
  • No due date flexibility
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with excellent credit seeking high loan amounts and flexible terms at some of the lowest APRs available can qualify. LightStream’s unsecured personal loans are big enough for major home projects and come with competitive rates for qualified borrowers. Besides that, the lender offers terms as long as 12 years for home improvement loans, giving you a lower monthly payment option than most personal loan lenders allow.

Upstart: Best for thin or bad credit

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.50%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$75k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees and maximum APR
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with low or no credit who need extra help to finance small or midsize projects may benefit from a loan from Upstart. Its low minimum loan amount is also good for smaller home fix-up jobs. 

Citi: Best for short repayment terms

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
9.99%–19.49%
Loan amount
$2k–$30k
Min credit score
680
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Origination fee
None
Pros
  • Same-day approval and funding possible
  • Generous autopay discount (0.5 percentage points)
  • Competitive rates and no fees
Cons
  • Low maximum loan amount
  • Good credit required
  • Joint applications not allowed
WHO'S IT FOR:

Good credit borrowers who want the fastest path to repaying money borrowed for their home fix-up plans. Qualified Citi borrowers may get an extra discount for autopay and another for being a Citigold or Citi Priority customer.

Best Egg: Best for lowest starting rate

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Secured loan options for home and car owners may help get approved if you're denied for unsecured options
  • Secured rates may be significantly lower than unsecured rates
  • Low minimum rates may mean savings for excellent credit borrowers
Cons
  • Limited repayment term options may make the payments unaffordable
  • No autopay discount, a standard perk at other lenders.
  • Potential to tie up or lose asset with secured options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers with excellent credit who seek the lowest rate are most likely to qualify Best Egg's lowest rates. Homeowners may also want to check out the lender's unique secured loan options if they don't qualify for its best rates.

LendingClub: Best for co-borrowers 

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.53%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$60k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
0%-8%
Pros
  • Add a co-borrower to pay off debt together
  • Flexible loan terms for short and longer repayment plans
  • Direct payment to creditors saves the time and hassle of doing it yourself
Cons
  • High origination fees reduce the amount you'll have toward debt payoff
  • No customer support available on Sundays
  • Unlike competitors, no autopay discount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Homeowners who want a small loan amount at a competitive rate may benefit from LendingClub's $1,000 minimum with rates below 9 percent. Funds may be available within a day and co-borrowers are allowed if you need extra help qualifying.

Upgrade: Best for customer experience

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.74%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Direct payment to creditors saves you time and effort
  • Joint applications available
  • Multiple discounts for debt consolidation, which could reduce your APR
Cons
  • High potential origination fees cut into your debt consolidation funds
  • High minimum rates compared to some other consolidation lenders
  • Late and returned check fees
WHO'S IT FOR:

Those with fair or less-than-ideal credit who need funds fast are likely to find a loan from Upgrade useful. Upgrade is also notable for terms of up to seven years, longer than what’s offered by other fair credit companies. 

Prosper: Best peer-to-peer lender

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1%-9.99%
Pros
  • Low minimum credit score
  • Option to change payment date
  • No prepayment penalty
Cons
  • Origination fee
  • High APR cap
  • No discount available
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers looking for a lender that has several investors reviewing their applications for the best rates and terms are likely to benefit from a Prosper loan. It offers fixed-rate unsecured personal loans to borrowers with fair to excellent credit and the application process is simple and quick.

Discover: Best for excellent credit borrowers

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k–$40k
Min credit score
660
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Origination fee
None
Pros
  • Option to pay creditors directly
  • Low fees
  • Prequalification offered
Cons
  • Can't be used on a Discover card
  • No discounts
  • No joint applications
WHO'S IT FOR:

Discover is better for those who don’t quite meet the requirements for good or excellent credit and who need lower rates or longer-term options. Its maximum rate is about 10 percent less than other fair credit lenders, which could give you a much lower monthly payment. 

Achieve: Best for rate discounts

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$50k
Min credit score
640
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Allows co-borrowers
  • Fast funding
  • Personal loan consultant
Cons
  • Not available in every state
  • High minimum loan amount
  • Origination fee
WHO'S IT FOR:

A loan from Achieve may be better for those who aren’t in a rush to renovate their homes and prefer to improve their credit scores first by paying off revolving debt, like credit cards. A large reduction in your credit utilization ratio could put you on track to much lower home improvement loan rates later on.

What are home improvement loans?

A home improvement loan is a financing option used to pay for home remodeling and repairs. Loan amounts for personal loans used for home improvement can range from $1,000 to $100,000, with standard repayment terms between one and seven years.

Home improvement personal loans are unsecured installment loans, meaning they have a fixed interest rate and stable monthly payment for a set period. Because your home doesn’t secure them, you don’t risk losing your property if you default on the loan. Once approved, you receive the entire lump sum, in some cases, as soon as the same day you apply.

You'll then make regular principal and interest payments until the balance is paid in full. Most unsecured home improvement loans don't have a prepayment penalty, and don't require any assessment of your home's value for approval.

Calculate your home improvement loan payment

Use Bankrate's loan calculator to determine the best loan repayment plan for you. Enter different loan amounts, terms, and interest rates to understand your estimated monthly payments and the total interest cost.

How to compare home improvement loan lenders

It's always best to get quotes from a few lenders before applying for a loan so you can determine the best offer. When comparing lenders, keep an eye on these factors.

  • Approval requirements: Every lender sets its own threshold for approving potential borrowers. They consider your income, credit score and debt-to-income ratio. If you have below-average credit, look for lenders that use other approval criteria. Some will consider your area of study or job history.
  • Interest rates and fees: The lowest advertised rate is never guaranteed, so compare quotes and ensure you're checking the annual percentage rate (APR) to account for fees or penalties.
  • Cosigners: Adding a cosigner may boost your approval odds of getting low rates if you have fair or poor credit, but not all lenders offer this option.
  • Loan amounts: The scope of your home project or repair sets how much you need to borrow. If you are remodeling your kitchen, you will likely need a larger loan than just replacing an appliance. Ensure the lender offers loan amounts as high or low as you need.
  • Repayment options: A good home improvement loan lender usually offers repayment terms ranging from 12 to 84 months. The longer the term, the lower the monthly payment — but the more interest you pay over the life of the loan. 
  • Unique features: Look for lenders with any unique perks or restrictions. For example, some lenders offer discounts if you set up automatic payments from your bank account. Others may charge a fee if you pay the loan off before the full term.
  • Customer service: Check the company's business hours, particularly if you prefer in-person service to online. Also, look for company reviews on various platforms to see what consumers say about their experiences. 

Pros and cons of home improvement loans

Weigh the pros and cons of a home improvement loan — like the minimal paperwork against a short repayment timeline — before taking out a loan.

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Funds may be available the same day you apply
  • Less approval paperwork and faster approval than secured options
  • Approval doesn't depend on your home's value
  • Interest rates may be lower than mortgage options
  • No risk of foreclosure since loans are unsecured
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Home improvement loans may come with higher origination fees and APRs
  • Shorter repayment options may make monthly payments unaffordable
  • Fees may be significantly higher than other home improvement loans
  • No interest-tax deduction since the loan is not secured by your home.
  • No payment flexibility like you would have with a HELOC

How to get a home improvement loan 

To determine your best loan option, compare the characteristics and drawbacks of each type of funding with your own needs and circumstances. For example, if you urgently need to replace your roof following a storm, you might need the fast timeline and large amount a personal loan can provide. When you’re ready, follow these steps to apply for a home improvement loan.

  1. Shop around for rates

    After you’ve chosen a loan type, research lenders offering it. Make sure the lenders you are interested in serve borrowers with your credit profile and offer the loan amounts and term lengths you want.

  2. Gather documentation

    Lenders have similar documentation requirements. Most will want to see your photo ID, proof of income and proof of residence. You may also need to provide information on your housing payment and any current debts you have.

  3. Get prequalified

    If the lenders you’re considering offer prequalification, it’s a great way to compare possible rates and monthly payments without hurting your credit score. Prequalify for multiple lenders at once and look for the best deal.

  4. Fill out the application

    After you’ve chosen a lender, complete a full application. Check the information you provide thoroughly to avoid mistakes. Most lenders do a hard credit check when you complete a formal application, so if you’re applying to more than one, keep your applications within a 14-day period to limit damage to your credit score.

Where to get a home improvement loan

You can get home improvement loans from the same institutions as you would a personal loan. This includes most banks, online lenders, credit unions and peer-to-peer lenders.

  • Bank or credit union: If you have good credit and a solid repayment history, then start with your bank or credit union to see what rate you're offered. Plus, banks often give preexisting customers exclusive benefits for borrowing with them again, like extended grace periods or interest rate reductions. If the rates aren't ideal, turn to an online lender. 
  • Online lender: Online lenders may offer lower interest rates than other lending institutions. The offers may also be easier to compare since the application process is completed online. The applications are typically completed within minutes, but this depends on the lender. However, if your credit isn't where you want it to be, then starting with a peer-to-peer lender may be better for you.
  • Peer-to-peer lender: Peer-to-peer lenders may offer lower rates than online lenders and are most likely to approve borrowers with a shaky credit profile. Keep in mind that while this option boasts low rates, it can also mean slow funding or high origination fees.

Other types of home improvement loans and their uses

There are many different types of home improvement loans. These are some of the most common:

Frequently asked questions about home improvement loans

How we made our picks for the best home improvement loans

Bankrate's trusted home improvement loans industry expertise

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 40 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four categories:

Denny Ceizyk
Written by
Former Senior Writer, Loans
Read more from Denny

Denny Ceizyk is a former senior writer for Bankrate, who drew on his 30 years of experience in loan sales and as a personal finance writer to help consumers navigate the lending landscape on their financial journeys.
CD Icon
Credentials
  • Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO)
Ribbon Icon
Expertise
  • Personal loans
  • Debt management

Kellye Guinan
Edited by
Kellye Guinan
Editor, Personal Loans and Auto Loans
Mark Kantrowitz
Reviewed by
Mark Kantrowitz
Bankrate Expert Contributor, Student Loans