Get a fresh start on your home improvement projects by financing them with the right credit card. Choosing a credit card that fits your financial needs will hopefully benefit your pockets and your budget.
At a Glance
Best Credit Cards For Home Improvements
Home Improvement projects can get pricey, so having the right financial tools for them can make it a more enjoyable and affordable experience. Have a look at our picks for the seven best credit cards for home improvements this year.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 21.24% to 30.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 18 billing cycles from account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card boasts impressively flexible cash rewards on purchases in the category of your choice, on top of cash back for groceries and other everyday purchases. This card also offers an attractive introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers, making it a great all-around rewards card for those with dynamic purchase habits.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 3% cash back on the category of your choice: gas, EV charging, phone, internet, and cable plans, select streaming, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement
- Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases)
- 1% on all other purchases
- Introductory 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles from the date you open your account
- Free FICO® Score reports updated monthly so you can monitor your credit score
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 18 billing cycles from account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 billing cycles on transfers made within 60 days from account opening date
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 21.24% to 30.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You want the flexibility to choose your cash back category from month to month
- You’re looking for a generous rewards credit card with no annual fee
- You plan to take advantage of the long introductory APR period with a significant purchase or balance transfer
- You have a Bank of America checking or savings account and qualify for a Preferred Rewards membership
There is no way the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card would not make our list of best cards for home improvements. The Customized Cash Card is a rewards credit card that earns up to 3% cash back on a category of your choice. The 3% categories include things like gas and dining. But the category we are all here for is the home improvement category. Here’s a list of the 3% categories:
• Gas
• Online shopping
• Travel
• Dining
• Drug stores
• Home improvement
Use the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card to earn 3% cash back on your home improvement project purchases. The card also earns 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can also take advantage of the 0% intro purchase APR for 18 months which can help save interest on your home improvement purchases. The card also features no annual fee.
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
- 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 14.99% to 29.99% Balance Transfer APR
At a Glance
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® offers no fees, low rates, cash back, and credit lines up to $25,000 in one unique package. The card provides the flexibility and predictability consumers need to pay down balances and get debt-free quickly.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- Unlimited cash back on payments: 3% on Home, Auto, and Health categories and 1% on everything else after you make payments on your purchases
- No annual fee
- Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
- *To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking account within 60 days of the date the Upgrade Card account is opened. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. If you have previously opened a Rewards Checking account or do not open one as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after the 3rd qualifying card purchase.
- Regular Purchase APR: 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% to 29.99%
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Up to 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 3%
- You struggle to pay off your credit card balances
- You want to earn up to 3% cash back on purchases
- You can reliably pay off your statement balances to earn cash back for your purchases
- You have a desire to get debt-free quickly
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card is another credit card that may be what you need for your home improvement plans. Upgrade does rewards in a unique way. With Upgrade credit cards, cardholders earn cash back on payments. This means you will earn your cash back rewards when you pay back eligible purchases. The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card earns unlimited 3% cash back on home, auto, and health categories, plus 1% cash back on everything else.
The home rewards category is our focus for your home improvement plans. Home purchases earn 3% cash back on things like hardware, home supply, landscaping services, plumbing, A/C, etc. Some examples of merchants you can shop at for the home category include The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wayfair, and more. With the Upgrade Triple Cash card, you get the freedom that comes with an open-loop credit card, meaning you can use it anywhere the payment network is accepted.
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards on the market today, thanks to impressive, flat-rate cash back, lucrative introductory 0% APR offers, and more. Cardholders earn 2% back on every eligible purchase: 1% back at the time of sale and an additional 1% back when they pay their statement balance. Cash back is redeemable for statement credits, direct deposits, checks, or converted as ThankYou® points.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You prefer earning cash back at a flat rate rather than in rotating categories
- You’re looking to either consolidate existing balances or pay down a large purchase with no interest charges for an extended period of time
- You like to have the flexibility of converting cash back into lucrative rewards points
- You’re considering a credit card without an annual fee
Here comes the second open-loop credit card to make our list for financing home improvements. The Citi® Double Cash Card can earn you double cash back on all your home improvement purchases. The rewards card earns 2% cash back on all purchases. So, you’re not limited to only using the card for home improvements after your projects are complete.
Due to the credit cards’ 2% flat-rate cash back, you don’t have to worry about revolving categories. The card is easy to use and keeps track of its simple rewards system. Other features on the card include a 0% intro APR on balance transfer and no annual fee.
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
- 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® offers 2% cash back, a simple redemption process, and more – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- Earn 2% cash back rewards on every purchase
- Contactless payment compatibility
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 4% of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $30
- You have good credit
- You prefer cash back rewards as a statement credit
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Another card that earns 2% cash back as a flat rate is the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®. If you’re looking for simple rewards for all your home improvement purchases, this credit card may be the one to fund your home improvements. Even more simple is the redemption process for your rewards. Cash back rewards for the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard can only be redeemed as statement credits. In addition, the credit card features a DoorDash DashPass membership, all for no annual fee.
Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card
Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card
Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 15 months on Purchases Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Citi Custom Cash? Card is a generous cash back credit card that offers up to 5% back on eligible purchases. The card, from Citi, does not charge an annual fee and rewards 5% back on the top spending category each month, with options including transit, travel, gas, groceries, dining, and more.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card account per person.
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months on Purchases
- Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
- Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You want to earn 5% back but do’t want quarterly categories
- You plan on spending $1,500 within the first 90 days
- You have a large purchase in mind that you want to pay down over time
- You plan on transferring an existing balance within the first four months
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
The final card on our list is the Citi Custom Cash℠Card. The card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category. Like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, it features nine spend categories. The difference is that with Citi Custom Cash, you don’t pick a monthly spending category. Instead, the card will automatically earn you cash back on your highest spend category each billing cycle.
Spend Categories:
| Dining | Fitness clubs | Grocery stores |
| Drugstores | Gas stations | Home improvement stores |
| Travel & transit (select) | Live entertainment | Streaming service (select) |
One of the categories is for home improvement stores making it a convenient credit card for minor home improvement projects. We say minor because the 5% bonus cash back categories have a $500 spend limit every billing period. Any rewards earned after the $500 threshold will earn 1% cash back, with no caps. All other purchases also earn 1% cash back.
Other Options
Lowe’s Advantage Card
-
6 Months special financing
-
84 Fixed monthly payments with reduced APR
☆ 5% Off
☆ Limited-time Offers Available
☆ No Annual Fee
It’s no surprise the Lowe’s Advantage Card has made our list of best credit cards for home improvements. Lowe’s is one of the largest home improvement retailers committed to helping homeowners, renters, and Pros improve their homes and businesses. The Lowe’s Advantage Card has three main benefit options to help fund your home improvement projects.
1. Get 5% off every day (on qualified purchases)
2. Six months of Special Financing (on qualified purchases)
3. 84 fixed monthly payments with reduced APR (on qualified purchases)
Furthermore, with the Lowe’s Advantage Card, there is no annual fee to worry about, so your budget can be focused on the materials you need. The financing options offered can be very convenient, especially for your larger home improvement projects. Lowe’s has a variety of services, materials, and tools for all your home improvement needs. If Lowe’s is your go-to home improvement store, the Lowe’s Advantage Card may be the right option for you.
The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card
-
6 Months Financing on purchases
-
Up to 24 Month Financing during special promotions
☆ 1 Year to Make Returns
☆ Zero Liability on Unauthorized Charges
☆ No Annual Fee
The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card makes our list as the home improvement retail store is also one of the largest in North America. Get started on home repairs, updates, and improvements with The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card. The card benefits include the following:
• Six months of financing on purchases of $299 and up
• Up to 24 months of financing during special promotions
• 4X longer to make returns (1 Year).
Related Article: The Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
Featured photo by andresr/ Getty Images Signature
