Flooring Financing

Can you finance new flooring in your home?

Yes, there are plenty of options for how you can finance your new flooring, all of which we’ll guide you through below.

Which lenders offer flooring loans?

Best Egg

Best Egg

✔ Funding: Borrow $2,000 - $50,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 640
✔ APR: 5.99 - 29.99%
✔ Loan term: 3 - 5 years
✔ Funding turnaround: 1 - 3 business days

With Best Egg personal loans, borrowers with fair to good credit can get funding for 3-5 years and have the option to use the loan for a variety of purposes.

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LightStream

LightStream

✔ Funding: Borrow $5,000 - $100,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 660
✔ APR: 2.49% - 19.99%
✔ Loan term: 2 - 7 years
✔ Funding turnaround: as soon as same business day

LightStream offers up to $100k personal loans as soon as same business day without origination fees and easy to use mobile app.

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Payoff

Payoff

✔ Funding: Borrow $5,000 - $40,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 640
✔ APR: 5.99% – 24.99%
✔ Loan term: 2 - 5 years
✔ Funding turnaround: 3 - 6 business days

Payoff offers personal loans with flexible payment schedules and perks such as monthly credit score reporting.

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What are the different types of flooring?

• Hardwood - This is the most expensive option but one of the most long-lasting and valuable. If anything happens to it, you can simply replace a board or sand and refinish it. Provided it is looked after, it will last for decades. (Average cost: $5 - $10 per square foot.)
• Engineered Wood - This looks like real wood but is more affordable. It is a thin layer of hardwood bonded onto high-quality plywood. It is durable but you may not be able to refinish it in the same way as real hardwood. (Average cost: $4 - $9 per square foot.)
• Laminate - This is an affordable choice and is generally very DIY-friendly. There are endless options for laminate, laminate floors don’t scratch easily, and they’re easy to clean. Replacing a chipped board (which can happen relatively easily compared to the first two options) is usually a pain in the you-know-what. (Average cost: $3 to $7 per square foot.)
• Vinyl - Vinyl is practically waterproof when put together properly, so a practical option for families with young kids, pets, or a love for home aquariums. Vinyl often looks as good as laminate nowadays, provided you buy planks and not a sheet, if you want a natural wood look, though this can be a good choice for small bathrooms, playrooms and the like. (Sheet vinyl costs about $1.50 per square foot, and planks cost about $6 per square foot.)
• Tile - A popular choice in hot states throughout the first floor, tile is practical, does not hold heat, and is easy to clean. It’s also a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms in northern states, especially if you go the extra mile and get under-floor heating. A tile can smash if you drop something heavy enough on it (or if it was installed badly) but a skilled tiler will be able to replace it with another tile you stored from installation or with a similar match. (Average cost: $2.50 - $10 per square foot.)
• Stone - this is a relatively unusual choice for inside but is a common choice for inside-outside spaces. It has the same pros and cons of tile. (Average cost: $5 - $10 per square foot.)
• Linoleum - this is a good eco-friendly option that’s easy to lay since it comes in a sheet. You can find it in almost any style or pattern and is durable and long-lasting. It won’t offer a premium finish like some of the other options we’ve talked about, though that will depend on the quality of the product you’re looking at. (Average cost: $4 to $8 per square foot.)
• Carpet - if you’re looking for something soft you can sink your toes into, carpet is a must. It feels great and holds onto a little warmth, so isn’t the best choice for very hot areas (though your air conditioning can counter that). If you have very young children, plan to have kids soon, live an outdoor lifestyle, or have dogs, carpet can be more trouble than it’s worth because it’s difficult to keep clean and can get stained. It also often worsens allergies. (Average cost: $2.50 to $10 per square foot.)

Is new flooring a good investment?

Unless you choose something outlandish, new flooring is always a good investment.

What is the cheapest way to put new flooring in a home?

If you need new flooring and are looking for the cheapest way to do so, provided the foundation underneath the floor is sound, look for flooring that comes in a roll (whether that’s carpet, linoleum, or vinyl). This is generally the most inexpensive way to floor a room or a home. You can also find people and businesses selling cut-offs or perfectly good carpets that have been removed during a home renovation that you can buy heavily discounted and install.

What is the best way to finance new flooring?

• Savings: if you’re looking at budget-friendly options for a small room, you may be able to buy and install your flooring yourself without needing to rely on borrowing.
• Personal Loan: this is the most popular option for most. You borrow a lump sum from a lender which they deposit into your bank account for you to use as you please. You then pay it back, plus interest, over a term of 2-5 years (though other terms are available).
• Credit Cards: If you have a good credit score, consider getting a 0% APR credit card to cover the cost. This will allow you to borrow and pay off the loan before interest is applied.
• HELOC: A Home Equity Line of Credit is where you receive a maximum credit limit (like with a credit card) and you can use that money as and when you please. A HELOC is secured with your home’s equity, so you get higher limits and lower interest rates, but it comes at a cost: your home is at risk if you default.
• Home Equity Loan: A home equity loan is essentially a second mortgage, where you take out a loan based on the equity you own in your home. This is a good way to release equity for home improvements. Like a mortgage, your home is at risk if you miss repayments.
• Cash-Out Refinance: This is another term for mortgage-refinancing, but you increase your mortgage so you have money to use for your home renovations.
• In-House Financing: If you buy your flooring through a contractor or hardware store, they may offer in-house financing through a partner lender. This can be a good option if there’s a promotion (such as a 0% APR promotional period), but make sure you compare their offer with what you can get elsewhere.

What are the pros and cons of flooring loans?

PROS

• Improve the value of your home
• Practical and will improve your quality of life
• Allows you to spread the cost

CONS

• The flooring may not improve the value of your home enough to get your money back when you sell if other factors of your home need improvement