8 Personal Loans to Finance Your Bathroom Remodel
Personal loans offer fast financing for bathroom remodeling projects. Compare lenders and alternatives to find the financing method that fits your needs.
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Remodeling your bathroom can give your home a fresh feeling, whether you’re updating an old guest bath or turning your main bathroom into an in-home spa. But renovations rarely come cheap.
The cost to remodel a bathroom ranges from a few thousand dollars to well over $20,000. An unsecured personal loan is one financing option you can use, particularly if you don't have enough in savings or home equity.
Compare lenders that offer bathroom remodel loans, learn common loan features and how to weigh alternatives.
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- 35+ personal loans reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 20+ years of combined experience covering personal loans and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 20+ categories and 70+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
SoFi offers online personal loans with consumer-friendly features for good- and excellent-credit borrowers.
8 Personal Loans to Finance Your Bathroom Remodel
8.99-29.99%
$5K-$100K
None
SoFi offers high loan amounts and joint loans for co-borrowers. Other pros include rate discounts and flexible payments.
- Must legally be an adult in your state.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or non-permanent resident with valid documentation.
- Must be employed, have sufficient income or have an offer of employment to start within 90 days.
- Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
- Late fee: None.
8.49-35.99%
$1K-$50K
560
Upgrade provides borrowers with financial education resources, like free credit score monitoring, so borrowers can build credit as they repay the loan.
- Minimum credit score: 560.
- Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including the loan you're applying for.
- Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
- Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security and other sources.
- Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
- Late Fee: $10.
- Failed payment fee: $10.
- Must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member to apply.
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Must provide personal information and contact details.
- Must provide information on income and employment.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: $29.
- Returned payment fee: $29.
- Federal Express fee: $5.65
- Certified Mail fee: $5.83.
6.99-25.49%
$5K-$100K
660
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Minimum credit score: 660.
- Must have several years of credit history with multiple account types and few or no delinquencies.
- Must have assets like retirement, investment and savings accounts.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: None.
Low rates and perks for existing customers make Wells Fargo a good choice if you already bank there and need a large loan.
- 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.
- Late fee: $39.
8.99-35.99%
$2K-$50K
600
- Minimum credit score: 600.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Minimum credit history: 24 months and 1 account.
- Minimum annual income: $3,500.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 40% or 65% including mortgage.
- Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.
7.80-35.99%
$1K-$50K
None
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 in most states.
- Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
- Must have a bank account at a financial institution with a routing number.
- No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
- No current delinquent accounts.
- Minimum credit score: None.
- Minimum annual income: $12,000; this lender accepts income from employment, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, rentals, trusts, pensions, disability and scholarships.
- Must have a full-time job or be starting a full-time job within six months.
- Origination fee: 0% to 12%.
- Late fee: 5% of past due amount or $15, whichever is greater.
- Returned check fee: $15.
8.99-35.99%
$5K-$50K
620
- Minimum credit score: 620; borrower average is 700.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 45% excluding mortgage.
- Minimum income: None; borrowers' average household income is $110,000.
- Minimum credit history: 3 years and 2 accounts.
- No active delinquencies and no bankruptcy in the last 24 months.
- Origination fee: 1.99% - 6.99%.
SoFi offers high loan amounts and joint loans for co-borrowers. Other pros include rate discounts and flexible payments.
- Must legally be an adult in your state.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or non-permanent resident with valid documentation.
- Must be employed, have sufficient income or have an offer of employment to start within 90 days.
- Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
- Late fee: None.
Upgrade provides borrowers with financial education resources, like free credit score monitoring, so borrowers can build credit as they repay the loan.
- Minimum credit score: 560.
- Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including the loan you're applying for.
- Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
- Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security and other sources.
- Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
- Late Fee: $10.
- Failed payment fee: $10.
- Must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member to apply.
- No minimum credit score requirement.
- Must provide personal information and contact details.
- Must provide information on income and employment.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: $29.
- Returned payment fee: $29.
- Federal Express fee: $5.65
- Certified Mail fee: $5.83.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Minimum credit score: 660.
- Must have several years of credit history with multiple account types and few or no delinquencies.
- Must have assets like retirement, investment and savings accounts.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: None.
Low rates and perks for existing customers make Wells Fargo a good choice if you already bank there and need a large loan.
- 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.
- Late fee: $39.
- Minimum credit score: 600.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Minimum credit history: 24 months and 1 account.
- Minimum annual income: $3,500.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 40% or 65% including mortgage.
- Origination fee: 0.99% - 9.99%.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be at least 18 in most states.
- Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
- Must have a bank account at a financial institution with a routing number.
- No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
- No current delinquent accounts.
- Minimum credit score: None.
- Minimum annual income: $12,000; this lender accepts income from employment, alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, rentals, trusts, pensions, disability and scholarships.
- Must have a full-time job or be starting a full-time job within six months.
- Origination fee: 0% to 12%.
- Late fee: 5% of past due amount or $15, whichever is greater.
- Returned check fee: $15.
- Minimum credit score: 620; borrower average is 700.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 45% excluding mortgage.
- Minimum income: None; borrowers' average household income is $110,000.
- Minimum credit history: 3 years and 2 accounts.
- No active delinquencies and no bankruptcy in the last 24 months.
- Origination fee: 1.99% - 6.99%.
Our pick for
Joint bathroom remodel loans
SoFi Personal Loan
8.99-29.99%
$5,000-$100,000
None
Our pick for
Bathroom remodel loans with credit building tools
Our pick for
Online bathroom remodel loans with low rates
Our pick for
Bathroom remodel loans for bank customers
Wells Fargo Personal Loan
7.49-23.74%
$3,000-$100,000
None
Our pick for
Bathroom remodel loans for credit union members
Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loan
7.49-18.00%
$250-$50,000
None
Our pick for
Secured bathroom remodel loans
Our pick for
Bathroom remodel loans for thin credit
Our pick for
Flexible bathroom remodel loans
Achieve Personal Loans
8.99-35.99%
$5,000-$50,000
620
» MORE: Best home improvement loans
What is a bathroom remodel loan?
A bathroom remodel loan is a personal loan you get in a lump sum and repay, with interest, in monthly installments.
These loans are unsecured, meaning they aren’t backed by collateral. Rates are 6% to 36% and loan amounts can be $1,000 to $100,000. The rate and amount you’re approved for depend on your credit, income and other debts.
How much does it cost to finance a bathroom remodel?
The average cost for a midrange bathroom remodel is $24,606, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2023 Cost vs. Value report. A more extensive “upscale” project costs an average of $76,827.
If you finance the remodel, you’ll also pay interest. Interest costs are determined by the loan’s annual percentage rate and the repayment term. Personal loans have terms from about two to seven years. A loan with a longer term will have lower monthly payments but cost more in total interest.
Bathroom remodel loan example
Say you get a $30,000 bathroom remodel loan at 12% APR. Here’s what you’d pay each month and in total with two different repayment terms.
Four-year repayment term:
Monthly payments: $790.
Total amount repaid: $37,921.
Seven-year repayment term:
Monthly payments: $530.
Total amount repaid: $44,485.
What to know about bathroom remodel loans
Borrowers with good to excellent credit get the lowest rates. The rate you receive on a personal loan depends primarily on your credit and finances. Borrowers with good or excellent credit (a score above 689) and low debt are likely to get the best rates.
Funding is fast. Many online lenders can fund a loan within a day or two of approval. You typically won’t wait more than a week to get the funds, which is faster than home equity financing.
You get the money in one lump sum. Have a solid estimate of the project’s cost before you shop for a personal loan so you can apply for the amount you need.
The loan isn’t secured by your home. Unlike a home equity loan or line of credit, unsecured personal loans don’t require you to pledge your home — or anything else — as collateral.
You repay in fixed installments. Personal loans have fixed rates, which means your monthly payments are the same for the duration of the loan, and you can budget accordingly.
How to get a personal loan for a bathroom remodeling project
Compare lenders. The most important features to compare on personal loans are the APR and monthly payments. But other features, like fast funding or the ability to manage payments on a mobile app, may alleviate some stress during the bathroom remodel.
Pre-qualify. Many online lenders and some banks allow you to pre-qualify for a personal loan online, so you can see your potential loan amount and rate without affecting your credit score. Pre-qualify with multiple lenders to find the best offer.
Prepare documents. Once you’ve got a solid quote from the contractor, get ready to apply for a loan. Gather documents like W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements and other required information to help the application process move smoothly.
Apply. When you submit your application, the lender will do a hard credit check, which will cause your score to dip. Most lenders take a day or two to make a decision.
» GET STARTED: Pre-qualify on NerdWallet
Other ways to finance your bathroom remodel
Home equity loan
A home equity loan is a second mortgage you borrow in a lump sum and repay in monthly installments. Rates are fixed and usually lower than personal loan rates, and repayment terms are up to 15 years.
A home equity loan is best if:
You can borrow enough to cover the bathroom remodel.
You have a firm cost estimate.
You don’t mind using the home as collateral.
You want to begin rebuilding equity immediately through payments.
You can wait for the underwriting and possible appraisal process to be complete.
» MORE: Best home equity loan lenders
Home equity line of credit
A HELOC is an open credit line that you draw on as you need it during the initial draw period, which usually lasts 10 years. Then, you repay it at a variable interest rate over a term lasting up to 20 years.
A HELOC is best if:
You can borrow enough to cover the bathroom remodel.
You want extra funds available for surprise expenses, or you don’t have a firm cost estimate.
You don’t mind using the home as collateral.
You can manage fluctuating payments within your budget.
You can wait for the underwriting and possible appraisal process to be complete.
Cash-out refinance
With a cash-out refinance, you get a new mortgage that’s larger than your existing loan. You use the new mortgage to pay off the old one, and “cash out” the rest of the money. That extra money becomes your bathroom remodel loan.
Cash-out refinancing is best if:
You can get a lower mortgage rate than your existing rate.
You don’t mind using the home as collateral.
The cash you have left will be enough to pay for the remodel after an appraisal and closing costs.
You have time for the underwriting, appraisal and closing process.
» MORE: Best cash-out refinance lenders
Nerdy tip: If you finance a home improvement project with equity, you’re usually able to deduct the interest on your taxes.
0% APR credit cards
0% APR credit cards have promotional periods — usually 15 to 21 months — when you can use them without incurring any interest. These cards work well for DIY remodels.
A 0% APR credit card is best if:
You qualify, which usually means having good or excellent credit.
You can pay off the card by the end of the promotional period (to avoid paying the regular APR).
You aren’t using a contractor who charges a fee for using a credit card.
Government programs
You can use an FHA Title 1 loan for remodels that improve the livability and usefulness of the home, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Government programs are best if:
Your project fits the requirements outlined by HUD.
You don’t mind using the home as collateral for projects that cost more than $7,500.
Last updated on December 15, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 technology companies and financial institutions. We collect over 50 data points from each lender 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.
NerdWallet's Personal Loans to Finance Your Bathroom Remodel
- SoFi Personal Loan: Best for Joint bathroom remodel loans
- Upgrade: Best for Bathroom remodel loans with credit building tools
- LightStream: Best for Online bathroom remodel loans with low rates
- Wells Fargo Personal Loan: Best for Bathroom remodel loans for bank customers
- Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loan: Best for Bathroom remodel loans for credit union members
- Best Egg: Best for Secured bathroom remodel loans
- Upstart: Best for Bathroom remodel loans for thin credit
- Achieve Personal Loans: Best for Flexible bathroom remodel loans
Frequently asked questions
- Can you finance a bathroom remodel?
You can finance a bathroom remodel using a home improvement loan, home equity loan, home equity line of credit or credit cards. The best option depends on things like how much equity you have, how much you want to spend and your credit score.
- How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?
The cost to remodel a bathroom varies depending on what your project entails. The average cost ranges between $24,606 and $76,827, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2023 Cost vs. Value report.
