Home Improvement Loans

An Admiral Home Improvement loan lets you borrow £1,000 to £25,000 between 12-60 months

What is a home improvement loan?

A home improvement loan is an unsecured personal loan that you could use to pay for home improvements like a new kitchen or bathroom, or to convert your loft or garage.

Why consider a home improvement loan?

With house prices on the rise in the UK, many people are turning to home improvements instead of buying a new home.

The average house price in January 2019 came in at £228,000 meaning many people are finding it difficult to buy their first home or upgrade to something bigger.

Home improvements could be a good option if you’re:

• Happy in your current location and property
• Finding it difficult to sell your home
• Wanting to add value to your home
• Wanting to improve your home and/or create more space
• Unable to afford to buy a new house

This data is based on a survey of 304 Admiral Home Improvement Loan customers in November 2018

Other reasons for taking out a home improvement loan could include:

• Garage, loft or basement conversion
• Roof replacement
• Buying a new boiler
• Building works like plastering or rendering
• Electrical rewiring
• Garden make-over

How does a home improvement loan work?

Once you’ve worked out how much you need to borrow and over how long (use our loan calculator if you’re not sure) you can apply for an Admiral loan online or over the phone.

We’ll check your credit history and make sure you can afford the repayments, usually we can give an instant decision but some applications are referred to our underwriters who might need more information from you.

If you’re accepted we’ll offer you a personalised rate, and you’ll see your monthly payments and total amount repayable. When you sign for the loan, you’ll get the funds in your bank account 3 working days later.

Before you take out a Home Improvement loan

• As with any finance, think carefully before you take out a home improvement loan – make sure you’re able to afford your monthly repayments should your financial situation change.
• Weigh up the costs of the home improvements and how much value the work will add to your home. Make sure you research the property market, looking at similar homes in your area as well as trends in house prices. Sites like Rightmove will tell you how much properties in your neighbourhood sold for and when and we have a guide on which home improvements add the most value
• It’s a good idea to get personal recommendations and written quotes from a number of tradesmen so you can compare prices and reviews; make sure you use a registered tradesman by checking organisations like the Federation of Master Builders.
• Once you're happy with a price, get the quote in writing and ask the trader to include start and completion dates and agreed payment terms. Make sure you ask for a quote, which includes materials and labour, rather than an estimate so you have a good idea of how much you need to borrow and won’t be surprised by any additional costs.
• Most tradesmen won’t expect full payment upfront, but might ask for a deposit to buy materials before they start work.
• Before you start any work, check your home insurance policy – you usually have to let your insurer know if you’re having any structural work done, and your insurance might not cover you while you’re having works done.