How and Why Financing can increase your annual revenues by 20%

The how to guide for Contractor financing with finance company reviews and options

Will Schmidt - March 28, 2026

Contractor Financing Summary


Home‑improvement projects—ranging from HVAC replacements to full remodels—often require customers to invest thousands of dollars. Offering convenient financing options can significantly increase close rates and average project size. This guide provides straightforward criteria for evaluating finance companies and profiles leading providers so you can choose a solution that fits your clients’ needs.


Why Offering Financing?

contractor financing benefits

Combat "Sticker Shock" and Close more Deals

Studies show that contractors who proactively present financing see a 20–30% increase in close rates. Customers are more likely to proceed when the cost is broken into affordable monthly payments.

  • Roofing financing earns more example

    A $20,000 roofing job with 20% down and 80% financing requires only $4,000 in cash and finding a bank or financing company to loan the $16,000 at 4-7% interest. 


    This alone can allow you to sell to more homeowners and businesses without the worry of upfront and completion payments.

  • Gutter Financing earns more examples

    An $8,000 gutter job is not uncommon for a bigger home, but most people get sticker shock since "it's not a roof" or "HVAC system." Getting $1,600 upfront from the homeowner and having a bank pay you within 1-5 days, that's a winning solution.


    This allows you win more bigger gutter projects for homeowners making $75k to $150k per year as it is less of their annual earnings percentage.

Increase Average Project Size

When homeowners see that upgrades add only a few dollars a month, they are more likely to choose premium materials or expand the project scope.

  • Metal Roofing example of larger jobs with financing

    A homeowner comparing a $18,000 asphalt replacement to a $42,000 standing seam metal roof will typically default to asphalt when paying cash. With financing, that delta may translate to roughly $120–$180 more per month, making the long-term value of metal—durability, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance—much easier to justify. As a result, contractors not only upsell into premium systems but also bundle accessories like upgraded underlayment, ventilation improvements, and trim packages that further increase total project value without creating friction.

  • Remodeling and Construction example

    In remodeling and construction, financing often turns a phased project into a complete build. A homeowner planning a $30,000 kitchen remodel may expand to $55,000–$80,000 when monthly payments make upgrades feel incremental rather than prohibitive. This includes higher-end cabinetry, stone countertops, flooring upgrades, structural changes, and added rooms or features. Instead of cutting scope to meet a cash budget, homeowners build closer to their ideal outcome, while contractors benefit from larger contracts, better margins, and fewer mid-project change constraints.

Financing Allows You to Charge More

Many financing platforms fund the contractor upfront (sometimes within 24 hours), eliminating the cash‑flow strain of staged billing. The others that don't, you still have a financial commitment from a financer/bank. Knowing that you don't need to rely on the finances of a homeowner, but the combo of a homeowner and a bank, you can even increase your pricing for the same services and make your company more profitable.


How to Evaluate Financers

contractor financing checklist

7 Tips to Consider with Finance Companies for Contractors

  1. Customer coverage and credit spectrum. Determine whether the platform offers prime, near‑prime, and subprime lending options. Multi‑lender platforms automatically route applications to different lenders, thereby increasing approval rates.
  2. Loan amounts and terms. Compare maximum loan sizes, term lengths, and interest rates. For example, some providers offer loans up to $250k with terms as long as 20 years, while others cap loans at $55k and limit terms to 10 years.
  3. Fees and dealer costs. Check for dealer fees or subscription fees. Platforms like Hearth do not charge per‑project dealer fees; instead they collect an annual membership.
  4. Pre‑qualification process. A soft credit pull that doesn’t impact the customer’s score makes it easier to pre‑qualify.
  5. Integration and user experience. Look for digital tools (mobile apps, APIs, no‑code website widgets) that embed financing in your sales workflow. Multi‑lender platforms deliver a seamless, embedded experience.
  6. Approval speed and funding timeline. Some lenders offer instant credit decisions and fund the contractor within 24 hours. Others may have longer processes.
  7. Support and training. Evaluate whether the partner provides onboarding, sales training, and ongoing customer service. Dedicated account managers and marketing support can help you maximize usage.

Top Contractor Financing Companies to Consider

contractor onboarding,training apprentices

#1 Acorn Finance

Acorn Finance is a multi-lender marketplace designed for contractors, allowing customers to access loans up to $100,000 with terms up to 20 years while completing a single application that does not impact their credit score. There are no dealer, subscription, or sign-up fees, and funds are delivered quickly to accelerate project starts. Contractors receive a personalized financing link to share with customers and a dashboard to track funding status, with same-day setup and support enabling immediate use.

ChargeAfter (platform)

ChargeAfter is a multi-lender platform that routes a single customer application across a network of lenders covering prime to subprime borrowers, increasing approval rates. It offers fast implementation through API or out-of-the-box tools, integrates seamlessly into point-of-sale experiences online or in person, and provides real-time analytics to optimize financing offers and manage disputes, though contractors must evaluate the lender network and platform capabilities carefully.

FTL Finance

FTL Finance is a single-lender solution focused on HVAC and home improvement projects, offering a range of loan programs including low-interest, long-term, deferred interest, and risk-based options for customers with varying credit profiles. Loan decisions are typically made within 15 minutes, and its waterfall lending system improves approval rates by passing applications to additional lenders if needed, supported by free contractor training and dedicated assistance.

GreenSky (Goldman Sachs Company)

GreenSky is a lender providing installment loans and promotional financing plans for home improvement projects, with credit limits up to $100,000 and options such as deferred-interest promotions. It enables staged funding, upselling through additional credit, and unsecured loans without requiring home equity, serving a wide range of trades including roofing, remodeling, and home automation.

Hearth

Hearth is a financing marketplace integrated into estimating and invoicing workflows, offering personal loans from $1,000 to $250,000 with terms from 2 to 12 years and rates starting at 7.99% APR, with eligibility for customers with lower credit scores. Contractors pay an annual membership instead of per-project dealer fees and can send financing links via text or email, allowing customers to pre-qualify with a soft credit pull and receive funds quickly, while also benefiting from tools like invoicing, payment collection, and embedded financing within quotes and contracts.

HFS Financial

HFS Financial is a broker connecting homeowners to third-party lenders for larger renovation projects, offering loan terms up to 20 years with no staged funding, no equity or appraisal requirements, and no upfront payment, simplifying the financing process. It positions itself as a partner by providing expertise and dedicated support to both contractors and homeowners while ensuring funds are paid directly to the consumer.

Momnt

Momnt is an embedded lending platform that enables contractors to offer financing through a mobile-first experience, with loan amounts up to $75,000 and terms up to 15 years. It supports same-day or next-day payments, staged funding, and access to multiple lenders without startup costs, allowing contractors to send application links and customers to receive pre-qualified offers within minutes and complete the process quickly.

OPTIMUS Financing (EGIA Finance)

OPTIMUS Financing is an all-in-one platform managed by EGIA Finance that captures customer information, performs a soft credit pull, and directs applicants to appropriate lenders, achieving approval rates above 90% across prime to subprime programs. Contractors can enroll quickly and offer financing securely while accommodating a wide range of customer credit profiles.

Regions Home Improvement Financing

Regions Home Improvement Financing is a bank-backed program that allows homeowners to apply via mobile, online, or phone and receive decisions within minutes, with funds typically deposited to contractors within 24 hours. It helps improve contractor cash flow, increase lead volume, and raise average project size while offering stability and a broad selection of loan options backed by an established financial institution.

Gutter Marketing - How to Get More Gutter Leads


4 Tips for Implementing Financing Successfully

contractor financing implementation
  1. Educate your sales team. Train technicians and sales representatives to introduce financing early in the conversation. Use scripts and digital tools to calculate monthly payments instantly.
  2. Embed financing in proposals. Include financing links or payment options in every quote, contract and invoice to normalize the idea of monthly payments[30].
  3. Market your financing options. Promote financing on your website, social media and marketing materials. Many platforms provide co‑branded banners and marketing toolkits[48].
  4. Track performance. Use the reporting dashboards offered by your financing partner to monitor application volume, approval rates and funded amounts. Adjust your sales process based on data.
  5. Stay compliant. Work with partners who handle credit compliance and provide clear disclosures. Always communicate that financing is offered through third‑party lenders subject to approval.

Conclusion

Offering financing is no longer optional for home‑improvement contractors—it’s a strategic necessity to close more deals, increase ticket sizes and improve cash flow. The best financing partner for your business will depend on your customer demographics, technology needs and appetite for fees. Use this guide to evaluate options—from single‑lender providers like Sunlight Financial and Service Finance to multi‑lender platforms such as Acorn Finance, ChargeAfter and OPTIMUS—and choose a solution that empowers both you and your customers.

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