Trevor Mahoney is a financial services writer and content creator based out of Los Angeles, California. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Finance from Santa Clara University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and lounging on the beach.
Fixing up your basement can be an expensive task, but financing options can take away some of the cost concerns. There are several different methods for basement financing, each of which has its own pros and cons that can make the financing decision vary from person to person. Read on to learn more about the financing options available to you.
Before diving deeper into the financing options available for refurbishing a basement, it’s important to cover what exactly a loan to finish basement work is. As potentially implied by the name, basement financing is financial assistance used for finishing work in a basement. This work can be expensive, which is why different kinds of financing assistance are available.
Different basement remodeling jobs can have different costs, which comes into play when considering how much a person can get from certain types of financing. Therefore, it’s important to consider all financing options.
One of the most popular types of financing for finishing a basement is a home improvement loan, which can be used toward all of your basement remodeling needs, including materials, licensing, workers, and other home-related expenses. Well-qualified borrowers may be able to get an unsecured home improvement loan with lower interest rates and better repayment terms, and financing often happens quickly.
Compare the best home improvement loans for your basement and financial needs.
Find and compare the best loan options.
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Credello receives compensation from lenders and other providers of various products featured on this site. The compensation Credello receives does not influence a consumer’s ‘Match Score’ calculation, but it may influence how offers are ranked. The calculation of the ‘Match Score’ shown with some product listings is based on information provided by the consumer along with which lenders and/or products match the provided information. To maintain transparency, any product ranking influenced by compensation is called out as “promoted” or “sponsored.” To learn more about our recommendations and reviews, as well as how Credello makes money, read our full advertiser disclosure
8.99% - 23.43%
Est. APR Range
680
Min. credit score
2-7 years
Loan Term
36%
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
Time: Same day funding available (conditions apply)
Available in states
LightStream loans are available in all states except Mississippi.
Pros & Cons
No fees or prepayment penalties |
Same day funding, conditions apply|
No collateral required | Rates quoted with AutoPay option. Invoicing option is 0.50% points higher.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
Good For: Eliminating high-interest credit card debt
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
DTI
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the amount of your gross monthly income that goes toward paying off your debts —the lower, the better. Most lenders look for a DTI of 43% or lower, but some are stricter than that.
The process of receiving financing for work on a basement is relatively simple:
Determine which type of financing option is best for you.
Apply for a basement loan by submitting personal and financial information.
Receive approval or denial for the financing.
Receive funds and begin repayments.
When applying for financing, depending on the type, you may have your credit pulled. A strong credit history will indicate to a lender that you are more likely to pay all the loaned money back in full. This can also help provide a borrower with a more favorable interest rate. Before applying, gather information such as your address, income level, and other factors that are required by the lender.
What credit score is required for basement financing?
For most lenders, the minimum credit score for a home improvement loan is 660. These loans are a type of personal loan that can be used for just about any purpose, including home improvements like finishing your basement.
If you have a good to excellent credit score, you will:
Have access to a greater number of lenders.
Not have difficulty getting approved for a home improvement loan.
Likely be offered better terms and interest rates.
If your score is lower than 660, you may still be able to find lenders who will approve your application for a home improvement loan. However, you may have to pay a higher interest rate, costing you more money in the long run, and you may not be offered as good of terms.
It’s recommended to take steps to improve your credit score if necessary before applying for a loan.
Pros and cons of basement financing
There are several pros and cons of basement financing with even the best loan for basement work. Breaking down these benefits and drawbacks is an important step in determining whether financing your basement is the right option.
Pros
Cons
Loan repayment means you need to set aside money every month for years to pay back the loan
You don’t need to write one single check to cover the basement financing and can pay overtime instead
Certain loans may require collateral
Having access to a larger sum of funds will allow for more creative freedom
Potential for an unfavorable interest rate if you do not qualify for the best option
With a healthy credit score and income level, you can receive favorable interest rate terms that make the long-term cost acceptable
Financing options for a basement
With such a high average cost to complete a basement renovation, financing options become more appealing. Here are some of the most common ways to get a loan to finish basement work:
1. Personal loans
A personal loan is one of the most common types of financing options available. Under this type, you apply for either a secured or unsecured personal loan and request a certain amount of money. Personal loans will require a credit check along with income verification and other personal information.
As a borrower, you would be responsible for monthly payments on the principal of the loan that include any interest on top. Most personal loan options range from $1,000 all the way up to $100,000 depending on what you need the loan for, the information you provide to the lender, and more.
2. Home Equity Loan and HELOC
A second option that could be used for basement financing is a home equity loan or a HELOC. Starting with a home equity loan, this is a type of financing option that is secured by the value of your home. This means that the amount you can borrow is only up to a certain limit of the equity in your home. Besides this, the structure is identical to a personal loan. However, not paying back the loan can result in you losing your home, which makes this a riskier form of financing.
As opposed to a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit works as a revolving form of financing. Rather than receiving a lump sum of money, you would receive access to funds up to a certain amount. You can borrow up to that amount, pay it back, and continue to borrow up to that amount. As with a home equity loan, though, the amount is determined by the amount of equity you have in your home.
A federal housing administration (FHA) loan is issued by a bank or another approved lender. These loans tend to come with higher interest rates as they are designed for borrowers who have trouble getting access to funds from private lenders.
4. Contractor financing
Some basement work contractors may offer their own financing options that would allow you to pay back the total cost over time. In some cases, the interest rates offered may be competitive compared to those offered by third-party lenders, but they also may be more costly. Consider this type of financing in direct comparison to other options to see which is the least costly option.
5. Cash out refinance
With cash out refinancing, you are allowed to refinance your current home loan to free up cash for other projects. However, this can be a risky option if you already have an excellent interest rate on your current mortgage. Some people inadvertently refinance themselves into a worse interest rate and end up paying more money than necessary through this option.
The decision of whether to remodel your basement is entirely personal, but there are certain factors to consider that can indicate if it is financially worth it. In the long run, remodeling a basement can add great value to your home. However, if you cannot currently afford repayments on financing for the basement remodel, it may not be the smartest choice to undergo. Consider your personal and financial situation, as well as the long-term benefits of remodeling your basement, to determine whether you should.
Can I get a basement loan with bad credit?
While most lenders prefer a credit score of at least 660, you may be able to get a home improvement loan with bad credit. It will likely be more difficult to get, but online lenders, credit unions, and FHA lenders may provide options.
For example, some online lenders offer personal loans for home improvement that look beyond your credit score when they review your application and may tailor their loan specifically for borrowers with poor credit.
If you have poor credit you’ll likely have to pay a higher APR, may have higher monthly payments, and may not have as ideal repayment terms. When comparing loan options, you’ll want to pay particular attention to these factors to find the best loan option for you.
Or, if you have time, consider working to improve your score before applying.
Yes, basement financing options are available and can provide access to funds. Personal loans, home equity loans, contractor financing, and more are all excellent methods for receiving financing to finish your basement.
On average, a basement remodel will cost anywhere between $6,000-$18,000 depending on what is involved with the remodel. Factors that go into the cost include the type of flooring, choice of walling, items to be installed in the basement, and whether you add or improve lighting and/or ductwork.
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