Do you need a new roof? Is your biggest concern finding the money to pay for it?
This is a valid concern most homeowners have, so you’re not alone. Fortunately, financing a new roof is an option like all big purchases.
The problem is knowing where to go to get it. Do you do it through the roofer? Should you reach out to your bank for a loan?
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners navigate the stress and concerns that come with needing a new roof. So, let’s break down how you can finance your upcoming roof replacement.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the answers to the following questions:
There are multiple ways to finance a new roof. This is great because there’s an option for every homeowner and situation.
However, you need to choose the one that makes the most sense for you. Let's look at how you can finance a new roof.
The first financing option to consider is with the roofing company you plan to hire. Depending on the company, this could be done in-house or through a partnership with a lender.
In-house financing is great because the roofing company has more control over the approval process and the qualifications requirements may be less. However, it’s more common for roofers to partner with a local bank or 3rd party lender.
Most companies just aren’t set up to handle the full financial burden of lending money. So, partnering with a bank or lender makes it easier for roofers to offer financing and better deals.
Both ways are great options but talk to a roofing contractor about their financing options and the process more in-depth when getting an estimate.
If the roofing company accepts them, credit cards are an option to finance a new roof. Now, you can obviously put it on an existing card and pay it off as much as you want.
However, the price of a new roof will likely get close enough to max out most credit cards. Plus, you’ll be paying on the interest the longer it sits.
On the other hand, you can open a new one or look for home improvement specific cards.
This gives you quick access, a short payment life, and some kind of introductory period with 0% APR. However, this is really only an option if you have great credit.
In recent years, a Home Equity Line of Credit (also known as a HELOC) has become a popular financing option for home improvement projects. It’s directly tied to the equity you have in your home to borrow against.
Getting a HELOC approved takes more time than other financing options, but there’s more flexibility and better interest rates. Obviously, tapping into a home’s equity isn’t an option for all homeowners.
So, talk to your mortgage holder about opening a HELOC to pay for a new roof and the impact it’ll have long term to truly decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Just like a roofing contractor using a bank or lender, you can finance your new roof with a personal loan. They usually have lower interest rates and require lower monthly payments.
However, you have to do the work to find the best loan and offer. That’s why it’s a good idea to start with your current bank and go from there.
The important thing is to keep the loan length and APR in mind when making a decision, especially if you don’t have the best credit.
Now you know the different ways you can finance a new roof. However, there are some things you should consider when financing.
Before you can finance a new roof, you need to know how much it costs. That’s why you should get estimates on the front end.
I recommend getting two or three estimates from local roofers to compare pricing, ask questions, and find the one you trust. After deciding on one, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll need to borrow to finance your roof replacement.
The most obvious thing to consider when applying for financing of any kind is your credit score. Besides income verification, it’s the biggest thing that impacts your approval odds.
If you are approved, it also determines the APR, payments, and loan length. That’s why credit cards or personal loans aren’t the best options if you don’t have great credit.
Keep in mind that applying can also show up as a hard credit check and affect your score even more.
After credit score, the biggest thing to consider is interest rates. This will always play a big role when deciding to finance a new roof.
The interest percentage is set by your credit and based on current rates, so you can’t really do much except shop around for the best offer. After all, getting stuck with a high interest rate can end up costing you a lot of money.
A roof is a very expensive purchase, and the reality is that many homeowners don’t have the money to pay for it all at once. So, financing a new roof is a great option for anyone.
It simply makes it easier to afford a new roof investment with monthly payments. While I say it's a great choice, everyone’s situation is different.
Some homeowners don’t want to mess with their financial portfolio or dip into their savings, college funds, retirement, etc. But no matter what, financing is a great way to take the upfront financial burden off your shoulders.
After reading this article, you know the most common ways to finance a roof. As I said, it’s a great option for anyone.
However, you have to decide if it’s the right option for you. Just talk to your roofing contractor more in-depth about it before making a decision.
But no matter what, a new roof will be a large purchase. The problem is knowing just how expensive it will be.
After all, you can’t decide if financing is the best choice without knowing what you’re about to get into. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down how much a roof replacement costs.
Check out How Much Does a New Roof Cost to learn the average cost of a new roof, pricing for different roofing materials, and what directly impacts the final cost.