There’s only one guarantee when it comes to making upgrades on your home: it’s going to cost you money. For many people, it might seem out of reach, and it’s no surprise – a new kitchen can set you back £5-6,000, for example.
The good news for homeowners is that there are plenty of funding options available for home improvements, visit this page for more information on home improvement loans. And, today, I’m going to lay out some of those possibilities for you. Take a look, work out your budget, and don’t forget to let me know what you think.
Credit card
First of all, why not look for a 0% deal on a credit card? You will get a fixed period where you get no interest charges – often for a year or 18 months. That gives you plenty of time to pay off what you have spent on the house – you just divide what you owe up into monthly payments. However, make sure you clear your balance before you get to the end of the interest-free period. As soon as that kicks in, you might be hit with a significant interest rate.
Store cards
Lots of home and garden shops offer store cards – and some will give you a discount on your first purchase, too. So, have a look around and see what you can find. For example, Homebase offers six months interest-free on their card, if you spend less than £1000. That gives you plenty of time to get what you need, and pay it all back with a minimum of fuss. However, watch that APR at the end of the term, and ensure you have paid everything off before it kicks in.
A loan
There are plenty of loan options out there at the moment. With interest rates at a long-term low, it’s a good time for borrowers, so if you are confident of paying it back, take a look. Before you choose one, take a look at this Evolution Money home improvement loans guide. It will give you a nice overview of what to expect, and what you can do with your cash.
Remortgage
If you’re a homeowner, you can also use the equity you have built up on your house. Taking out a second mortgage or remortgaging are popular ways to free up money, and it can give you everything you need. It’s best to do this when you are a long way into your mortgage, as you will have more to draw from.
Friends and family
Finally, it’s also a good idea to ask your friends and family to see if anyone would lend you the money. You could match the interest on their savings account, for example, which is likely to be much less than the interest you would pay on getting a bank loan. It’s best to do this when you can guarantee that they will get their money back, of course. So, if you are planning to upgrade your house and then sell it, you should both make a little from the plan.
