Skip to content
NerdWallet Home Page

7 Kitchen Remodel Loans: Compare Financing Options

Updated on January 3, 2025
Annie Millerbernd
Written by 
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Head of Content, Personal & Student Loans
Fact Checked
Annie Millerbernd
Written by 
Assistant Assigning Editor
Kim Lowe
Edited by 
Head of Content, Personal & Student Loans
Fact Checked

One of the most important decisions for a kitchen remodel is how to pay for it. An unsecured personal loan is a relatively fast and convenient choice.

Other financing options include home equity loans and lines of credit, a cash-out refinance and government assistance. The best way to finance a kitchen remodel depends on your credit, home equity and renovation goals.

Here are our picks for best kitchen remodel loans, the pros and cons of getting one and other options to consider.

Show more

Check your personalized rates

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

SoFi Personal Loan: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

SoFi
5.0

Est. APR

8.99-35.49%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

None

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:SoFi offers online personal loans with consumer-friendly features for good- and excellent-credit borrowers.
    Qualifications:
    • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
    • Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
    • Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
    • Late fee: None.

LightStream: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Lightstream
4.5

Est. APR

6.49-25.29%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

660

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and a promise to beat competitors’ rates.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
    • Minimum credit history: 3 years.
    • Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: None.
    • Late fee: None.

Wells Fargo Personal Loan: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Wells Fargo Personal Loan
4.0

Est. APR

7.49-23.74%

Loan amount

$3K-$100K

Min. credit score

None

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Wells Fargo personal loans are likely a good fit for existing customers, thanks to a wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms, plus perks like pre-qualification and a rate discount.
    Qualifications:
    • Must be an existing Wells Fargo customer.
    • Must provide personal information, including Social Security number or individual tax identification number.
    • Must provide employment and income information; documentation may be required to verify this information.
    Available Term Lengths:1 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Late fee: $39.

Upgrade: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Upgrade
5.0

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

580

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Upgrade personal loans offer multiple rate discounts and direct payment to creditors. A low minimum credit score requirement makes the perks stand out even more.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 580.
    • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
    • Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
    • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
    • Late Fee: $10.
    • Failed payment fee: $10.

LendingClub: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Lending Club
4.5

Est. APR

7.90-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

600

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:

    LendingClub is a good option for fair-credit borrowers and for co-borrowers who want to jointly apply for a loan.

    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 600; average borrower score is above 700.
    • Minimum income: None; lender requires proof of income. Borrower average is $100,000 per year.
    • Maximum DTI: 40%.
    • Minimum credit history: 36 months and two accounts.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 6 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0%-8%
    • Late fee: 5% of payment or $15 after 15-day grace period.
    • Insufficient funds: $15.

Rocket Loans: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

RocketLoans
4.5

Est. APR

8.71-29.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$45K

Min. credit score

640

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Rocket Loans offers fast funding for online personal loans to borrowers with fair and good credit, but it lacks some key features.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 640.
    • Minimum annual gross income: $24,000.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 40% or 70% including a mortgage.
    • Minimum credit history: 2 years.
    • Must be at least 18 years old.
    • Must be a U.S. resident living in one of the states where the lender does business.
    Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: Up to 9%.
    • Late fee: $15.
    • Non-sufficient funds fee: $15.

Best Egg: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

BestEgg
4.5

Est. APR

6.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$50K

Min. credit score

600

See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Best Egg offers personal loans for borrowers who want to consolidate debt and need cash fast.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 600.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage.
    • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 1 account.
    • Acceptable income sources: Employment, household income, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years of age.
    Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.

SoFi Personal Loan: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

SoFi
5.0

Est. APR

8.99-35.49%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

None
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:SoFi offers online personal loans with consumer-friendly features for good- and excellent-credit borrowers.
    Qualifications:
    • Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
    • Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
    • Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
    • Late fee: None.

LightStream: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Lightstream
4.5

Est. APR

6.49-25.29%

Loan amount

$5K-$100K

Min. credit score

660
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and a promise to beat competitors’ rates.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
    • Minimum credit history: 3 years.
    • Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: None.
    • Late fee: None.

Wells Fargo Personal Loan: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Wells Fargo Personal Loan
4.0

Est. APR

7.49-23.74%

Loan amount

$3K-$100K

Min. credit score

None
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Wells Fargo personal loans are likely a good fit for existing customers, thanks to a wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms, plus perks like pre-qualification and a rate discount.
    Qualifications:
    • Must be an existing Wells Fargo customer.
    • Must provide personal information, including Social Security number or individual tax identification number.
    • Must provide employment and income information; documentation may be required to verify this information.
    Available Term Lengths:1 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Late fee: $39.

Upgrade: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Upgrade
5.0

Est. APR

7.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

580
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Upgrade personal loans offer multiple rate discounts and direct payment to creditors. A low minimum credit score requirement makes the perks stand out even more.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 580.
    • Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
    • Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
    • Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 7 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
    • Late Fee: $10.
    • Failed payment fee: $10.

LendingClub: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

Lending Club
4.5

Est. APR

7.90-35.99%

Loan amount

$1K-$50K

Min. credit score

600
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:

    LendingClub is a good option for fair-credit borrowers and for co-borrowers who want to jointly apply for a loan.

    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 600; average borrower score is above 700.
    • Minimum income: None; lender requires proof of income. Borrower average is $100,000 per year.
    • Maximum DTI: 40%.
    • Minimum credit history: 36 months and two accounts.
    Available Term Lengths:2 to 6 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0%-8%
    • Late fee: 5% of payment or $15 after 15-day grace period.
    • Insufficient funds: $15.

Rocket Loans: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

RocketLoans
4.5

Est. APR

8.71-29.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$45K

Min. credit score

640
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Rocket Loans offers fast funding for online personal loans to borrowers with fair and good credit, but it lacks some key features.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 640.
    • Minimum annual gross income: $24,000.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 40% or 70% including a mortgage.
    • Minimum credit history: 2 years.
    • Must be at least 18 years old.
    • Must be a U.S. resident living in one of the states where the lender does business.
    Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: Up to 9%.
    • Late fee: $15.
    • Non-sufficient funds fee: $15.

Best Egg: Best for Kitchen remodel loans

BestEgg
4.5

Est. APR

6.99-35.99%

Loan amount

$2K-$50K

Min. credit score

600
See Offers
on NerdWallet

  • Qualifications:

    Key Facts:Best Egg offers personal loans for borrowers who want to consolidate debt and need cash fast.
    Qualifications:
    • Minimum credit score: 600.
    • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 70% including a mortgage.
    • Minimum credit history: 3 years and 1 account.
    • Acceptable income sources: Employment, household income, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
    • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years of age.
    Available Term Lengths:3 to 5 years
    Fees:
    • Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.

What is a kitchen remodel loan?

A kitchen remodel loan is a personal loan used for a kitchen renovation. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000, and repayment terms are typically two to seven years. Rates are from 7.5% to 36%.

The loan is distributed in a lump sum and repaid, plus interest, in fixed monthly installments.

Kitchen remodel loans don’t require collateral, meaning your credit and income determine approval and your loan’s annual percentage rate.

» MORE: Best personal loans for home improvement

Pros and cons of financing a kitchen remodel with a personal loan

Pros

  • No collateral: An unsecured personal loan doesn’t require you to use your home as collateral, so the lender can’t take your home if you fail to repay.

  • Fast funding: Some lenders can fund a personal loan the same day you apply. Most personal loans are funded within one week.

  • Fixed payments: Monthly payments are the same for the life of the loan. This can help you budget better than options with variable rates and payments.

Cons

  • Rates may be higher than other financing options: Your credit history is a key determinant of your rate, and even borrowers with strong credit may receive a rate that's higher than home equity options.

  • No tax benefits: Unlike home equity loans and lines of credit, you can’t claim a tax deduction on the interest you pay on a personal loan.

  • Fixed loan amount: A personal loan is distributed in a lump sum, so you can’t borrow more than the initial loan amount.

» MORE: Best home improvement loans for bad credit

Steps to get a kitchen remodel loan

  1. Get a firm cost estimate. The amount you plan to spend on the kitchen remodel could determine how you pay for it, so get a few quotes and settle on a budget first.

  2. Pre-qualify. Once you have an estimate, pre-qualify to see potential loan rates and terms. Because this process doesn’t affect your credit score, you can pre-qualify with multiple lenders.

  3. Compare lenders. If you get two similar offers, compare loan features like rate discounts, funding time and repayment term options to break the tie.

  4. Apply. Gather documents like W-2s, paystubs and bank statements before you apply to make the loan application process smoother. A lender will do a hard credit check, which will cause your credit score to dip temporarily. Expect a decision within a day or two of applying.

» MORE: What are the requirements for a personal loan?

Financing a kitchen remodel: Personal loans vs. home equity

A personal loan may be a good option if you don’t have much equity in your home or don’t want to use the home as collateral for the loan.

Monthly payments are often higher on personal loans because they tend to have higher rates and shorter repayment terms than home equity financing. However, many personal loans can be funded within a week, while a home equity loan or line of credit may take a couple of weeks or longer if the lender requires an appraisal.

» MORE: Personal loans vs. home equity loans

Home equity loan

A home equity loan is a second mortgage you get in a lump sum and repay in fixed monthly installments for up to 30 years. Rates start in the single digits.

Compare to personal loans: Home equity loans are similar to personal loans, but the loan amount is tied to the home’s value. Credit and income requirements may be softer for equity financing, so those with less-than-perfect credit who have repaid much of their mortgage may be able to borrow more with a home equity loan than a personal loan.

» MORE: Best home equity loan lenders

Home equity line of credit

A HELOC is a credit line you draw from as needed, typically over a ten-year period. Repayment terms are often 20 years, and rates can be low but variable, meaning your monthly payments may fluctuate.

Compare to personal loans: Since you don’t borrow a HELOC all at once, it can be ideal if the project’s cost isn’t set and you want to be ready for surprise expenses. If you get a personal loan and unexpected remodeling costs come up, you can’t borrow more.

» MORE: Best HELOC lenders

Other kitchen remodel financing options

Cash-out refinance

With a cash-out refinance, you replace your existing mortgage with a new one that includes funds for a remodel.

Cash-out refinancing works best for a remodel if the rate on your new mortgage has a lower APR than your current mortgage. This type of financing also comes with closing costs so financial planners recommend homeowners stay in the home long enough for the monthly savings to exceed the cost of refinancing.

» MORE: Best lenders for cash-out refinances

Federal programs

The Federal Housing Administration has two programs that can help you finance a qualifying renovation:

Title I Property Improvement Loans are available for home improvements and repairs. If your renovation will cost more than $7,500, the loan must be secured by a deed of trust or mortgage.

The Energy Efficient Mortgage Program helps finance renovations that make your home more energy-efficient and can help lower your utility bills.

» MORE: Home improvement tax credits for energy-saving updates

Kitchen remodel financing tips

The cost of a kitchen remodel can range from $27,500 to $158,500, depending on the materials used, the amount of work needed and additional features like new appliances. Here are tips to keep in mind when financing a future kitchen remodel.

Budget more than you think you’ll need. It's a good idea to add extra money to your project’s budget for unexpected expenses. Ask contractors how much wiggle room they think is reasonable when you’re gathering quotes.

» MORE: How to save on your kitchen remodel

Account for a future sale. If you plan to sell the home, consider how much your taste should factor into the kitchen update. For example, if you plan to sell in the next five years, consider changes both you and a future buyer might find appealing.

Prioritize updates. Prioritize your budget based on which updates are the most important. For example, top-of-the-line cabinets — which can be the most expensive part of a remodel — might not be a good use of your budget if your main goal is to knock down a wall and make more space.

Last updated on January 3, 2025

NerdWallet verified icon

How we chose the best personal loans

Our team of consumer lending experts follows an objective and robust methodology to rate lenders and pick the best.

35+

Lenders reviewed

We review over 35 lenders, including major banks, top credit unions, leading digital platforms, and high interest installment lenders operating across multiple states.

25+

Categories assessed

Each lender is evaluated across five weighted categories and 27 subcategories, covering affordability, eligibility, consumer experience, flexibility, and application process.

70+

Data points analyzed

Our team tracks and reassesses hundreds of data points annually, including APR ranges, fees, credit requirements, and borrower tools, ensuring up to date, accurate comparisons.

Star rating categories

We evaluate more categories than competitors and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience.
Affordability

25%

We review lenders’ annual percentage rate offerings at least twice per year and the competitiveness of each lenders’ APR range. We also assess whether a lender charges an origination fee and any opportunity for borrowers to receive a rate discount.
Customer experience

20%

We consider the experience of the consumer trying to manage a personal loan, which means accessibility of customer service representatives, whether borrowers can choose and change their payment due date, and the ability to track their loan on a mobile app.
Underwriting and eligibility

20%

We consider the rigorousness of each lender’s underwriting practices and how widely available their loans are. This category includes whether a lender does a hard credit check before providing a loan, the range of credit profiles they accept and how many states their loans are offered in.
Loan flexibility

20%

We assess how flexible lenders can be with borrowers, including whether they offer multiple loan types, personal loan amounts and repayment term options and whether they offer direct payment to creditors on debt consolidation loans.
Application process

15%

We consider the lender’s full application process, including a borrower’s ability to preview their loan offer via pre-qualification, whether basic loan information such as APR range and repayment terms are available and easy to find online and how quickly a loan can be funded after approval.

5.0

Overall score

NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 financial technology companies and financial institutions. We collect over 70 data points and cross-check company websites, earnings reports and other public documents to confirm product details. We may also go through a lender’s pre-qualification flow and follow up with company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer consumer-friendly features, including: soft credit checks to pre-qualify, competitive interest rates and no fees, transparency of rates and terms, flexible payment options, fast funding times, accessible customer service, reporting of payments to credit bureaus and financial education. Our ratings award fewer points to lenders with practices that may make a loan difficult to repay on time, such as charging high annual percentage rates (above 36%), underwriting that does not adequately assess consumers’ ability to repay and lack of credit-building help. We also consider regulatory actions filed by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to consumers and how meaningfully they impact consumers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines.
To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Kitchen Remodel Loans: Compare Financing Options

NerdWallet Pixel