Financing
Four ways to pay
for your renovation.
We don’t sell loans, so this is an honest comparison. Three of the four are products you arrange yourself; the fourth is contractor financing we can apply for on your behalf at project signing.
- Licensed & Insured
- Toronto-area since 2016
- 200+ projects shipped
- 5.0 ★ Google reviews
Best for Mid-to-large renos ($25K+) with home equity
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Typical rate
- Prime + 0.5% to 1.5%
- Setup time
- 2-4 weeks to set up
Pros
- Lowest interest rate of any reno-financing path
- Revolving credit — pay it down, draw it back as you spend
- Interest-only payments allowed during construction
- No prepayment penalty
- Can be reused for future projects without re-applying
Tradeoffs
- Requires real home equity (~20%+)
- Bank appraisal needed unless bundled with existing mortgage
- Floating rate moves with Prime
- 2-4 week setup means it's not a fast option
- Defaults are secured against your home
Best for Full home renos or additions ($75K+)
Refinance + Take Out Equity
- Typical rate
- Posted mortgage rate + 0.25-0.50%
- Setup time
- 30-45 days
Pros
- Lowest borrowing cost on large amounts ($75K+)
- Single consolidated payment — no second loan to manage
- Fixed rate option locks your cost for 1-5 years
- Up to 80% loan-to-value financing
- Interest may be tax-deductible if used for an income property (talk to your accountant)
Tradeoffs
- $3,000-$5,000 in closing costs
- Prepayment penalty if breaking existing mortgage mid-term
- Resets amortization — you'll be in mortgage longer
- 30-45 day timeline doesn't work for rush projects
- Stress-test qualification is stricter than HELOC
Best for Medium renos ($15K-$60K) without HELOC access
Secured Renovation Loan
- Typical rate
- 6% to 10%
- Setup time
- 1-2 weeks
Pros
- Fixed rate + fixed payment — no surprises
- Faster setup than HELOC or refi (1-2 weeks)
- Lower equity requirement than HELOC
- Available even if existing mortgage is mid-term
- Doesn't disturb your existing mortgage rate
Tradeoffs
- Higher rate than HELOC (typically 2-4 points)
- Fixed amortization — no interest-only flexibility
- Origination fee + legal cost ($700-$1,300 typical)
- Prepayment penalty if paid off early
- Less competitive than HELOC for amounts over $60K
Best for Same-day approval, small-to-mid renos
Contractor / Builder Financing
- Typical rate
- 0% promotional (6-12 months), 8-12% post-promo
- Setup time
- Same-day decision
Pros
- Same-day approval — fastest renovation financing path
- 0% promotional rates for 6-18 months
- No appraisal, no legal fees, no title registration
- Available to credit scores as low as 600
- We handle the paperwork — you sign one document
Tradeoffs
- Retroactive interest if promotional deadline missed
- Regular-rate APR is higher than HELOC or secured reno loan
- Less flexibility — can't restructure mid-contract
- Best for amounts under $30K — uneconomical above that
- Locked to the specific contractor (us) — money disburses to us, not you
Quick Quote · 60 seconds
See your project's price range — before you call.
Three questions, real numbers from 200+ Toronto-area projects. We'll email the range and a brief on what drives it up or down.
Step 1 of 3
What kind of project?
Financing FAQ
What homeowners ask before signing.
- What's the cheapest way to finance a renovation in Ontario?
- If you have 20%+ equity in your home, a HELOC is typically the cheapest option — Prime + 0.5-1.5%. If you don't have equity but have strong credit, a secured renovation loan at 6-10% is the next-cheapest. Credit cards should only be a stopgap.
- Can I roll renovation costs into my mortgage?
- Yes, via a refinance + take-out. You renegotiate your existing mortgage at a higher amount, take the difference in cash, and use it for the reno. Works best when you'd already be renewing your mortgage soon (otherwise penalties may apply).
- Do you offer financing through your business?
- We partner with Financeit and Snap Home Finance for contractor financing. Same-day decision, often with 0% promotional periods. We can apply on your behalf as part of the project intake.
- What credit score do I need?
- HELOC: 660+. Secured renovation loan: 640+. Contractor financing through Financeit: 600+. Patrick's contractor application is the most flexible if your score is on the lower end.
