Best Loans for Plumbing Financing

An emergency plumbing issue isn’t usually something you can wait to fix at your house. Leaking water or burst pipes quickly spread and may cause lasting damage. But if you don’t have an adequate emergency fund on hand, paying for those repairs can be costly. 

Small issues like a pipe leak average between $150 and $850 to fix, while repiping your entire plumbing system could cost $15,000 or more. 

No matter the scale of your issue, plumbing financing is a solution to consider to quickly cover your costs and take care of the problem before it gets worse. Here, we’ll explore your options and explain how to use the right one.

Best loans for plumbing financing

There are several types of plumbing financing you could consider when you’re faced with that type of expense. Read one to learn about each option, or click on the financing type in the list to explore more about that method.

• Personal loans
• Consumer financing
• Home equity loans
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
• Credit card
• Savings or cash

The best personal loans for plumbing financing

The first option to consider for your plumbing financing is a personal loan. You don’t have to tap into your home equity as you would for a home equity loan or line of credit, which makes the application process faster. Plus, you don’t have to worry about using your house as collateral.

Personal loans used for home improvement also may come with lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits compared to credit cards. 

Here are four online lenders that offer fast financing to cover emergencies like plumbing issues. We’ve broken down each one by credit score category they specialize in, as well as funding time, so you can easily find a good fit.

FICO credit score category	Credit score range
800+	Exceptional
670 – 799	Good
580 – 669	Fair
Less – 580	Poor

Tip

Unsure of your credit score? Check with your bank or credit card company, which may offer free credit score monitoring. Otherwise, you can access a free educational credit score from a reputable website like Credit Karma.

Lender	Deposit time
SoFi	As fast as same day
Upgrade	1 business day
Upstart	1 business day
LightStream	As fast as the same day

SoFi: Best for good credit

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• Offers soft credit pull to check rates
• Borrow up to $100,000
• Autopay and direct deposit discounts available

Consider a personal loan from SoFi to use for your plumbing financing if you have a good credit score and need a fair amount of work completed. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000 so this isn’t an option if you have just a small plumbing repair to finance. 

Upgrade: Best for fair credit

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LendEDU rating: 4.9

• Offers soft credit pull to check rates
• Variety of loan amounts available
• High origination fee

Fair credit borrowers with plumbing issues should consider Upgrade. One advantage is that personal loans go as low as $1,000. Even if you have a plumbing issue in just one area of the home, you can cover the expense with Upgrade.

Just note the origination fee, which can go as high as nearly 10%. That amount is deducted from your deposit, so you may need to cover a portion of your plumbing costs in cash or borrow a bit more than the project total. 

Upstart: Best for thin credit

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LendEDU rating: 4.8

• Offers soft credit pull to check rates
• Uses a unique approval model to help people with minimal credit history 
• Borrow between $1,000 and $50,000

Thin credit means you don’t have a very established credit history. If a plumbing emergency pops up, Upstart can help you secure a personal loan thanks to an approval model based on factors beyond just your credit score.

LightStream: Best for excellent credit

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LendEDU rating: 4.8

• No soft credit pull to check rates
• Long repayment terms available
• Autopay discount available

When you need fast funding to take care of a plumbing emergency, LightStream can deliver cash to your account as quickly as the same day. You will need excellent credit in order to qualify, however. 

Plus, the minimum loan amount is $5,000, making this personal loan better for large plumbing repairs. 

Ask the expert

Rand Millwood

CFP®

Initially, taking out a personal loan or using plumbing financing will negatively impact your credit score as they will be 1) new debt and 2) likely be utilizing the full balance of the loan. Over time as the loan is paid down, your credit score will rebound, but this may take a few years. 

Pros and cons of a personal loan for a plumbing

Taking out a personal loan for plumbing financing comes with both benefits and drawbacks. Consider both before you apply. 

Pros

• Fast funding times

  Online personal loans come with fast approval and funding times. This is convenient when you have a plumbing emergency that needs to be addressed quickly. 

• Cash in your account

  Many plumbers are small businesses that have limited forms of accepted payment. Getting loan funds deposited into your bank lets you write a check. 

• No collateral required

  Unlike home equity financing, a personal loan doesn’t require any collateral. There are still negative consequences if you are late or default on the loan, but you don’t have to worry about foreclosure on your home. 

Cons

• Fees could lower your funding

  Some personal loan companies charge an origination fee that is deducted from your loan funds before they even reach your bank account. That means if you borrow the exact amount you need to finance a plumbing project, you might not receive that full amount. 

• Extra debt payments each month

  A personal loan adds an extra bill to your monthly budget for a set number of years. It’s nice to have a payoff timeline, but you need to feel comfortable with those extra payments.  

• Interest costs you more over time

  In addition to looking at your monthly payment, see how much your interest payments will add to the total cost of the plumbing project over the years. This could inspire you to pay some in cash or repay the loan faster.

Plumbing companies that offer financing

Some plumbing companies offer in-house financing for customers. However, in most cases, you’re not taking out a loan with the actual plumber. Instead, the company has one or more financing partners they work with to help customers pay for repairs.

You’ll likely need an initial appointment to get an idea of the project scope. Then you may be able to apply online. If you’re nervous that you won’t be approved, call the plumber’s customer service line ahead of time to find out how the process works.

If you prefer to shop around for a quote, consider a plumbing company that works with multiple creditors instead of just one. Or compare their financing to an online personal loan preapproval.

Plumbing Company	Financing Details	Eligibility
Mr. Rooter	Works with multiple financing partners	Varies by location
Roto-Rooter	Partners with Synchrony Bank	Must apply via contractor
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing	Financing options vary by region	Varies by location

If you have an emergency plumbing situation and need work to start immediately, you may opt for a contractor that offers both service and financing. However, it may still be worth getting a few quotes to make the best decision. 

Mr. Rooter

Mr. Rooter is a nationwide plumbing company with locally owned and operated franchises. Ideally, you’ll get the service of a small business with the infrastructure of a national company—including financing options. 

One benefit of plumbing financing through Mr. Rooter is that the company works with multiple credit companies. That means you can compare options and get access to promotional rates if they’re available.

However, there isn’t a ton of information available online. You’ll also need to request a plumbing quote as the first step in applying for financing. 

Roto-Rooter

Roto-Rooter is another national network of local plumbing contractors. You must schedule an appointment to get a quote and apply for financing. Roto-Rooter partners with Synchrony and offers flexible payment options, including a credit card. 

Instead of applying online by yourself, you do need to apply through the contractor’s digital sales tool. If you’re worried about applying for financing and making a decision in front of someone, then you might consider other options.  

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is available in more than 30 states across the country. Financing partners depend on where you live and include Synchrony and Ally Bank. 

Synchrony may offer 0% introductory rate promotions while Ally provides personal loans. You may need to work directly through your local plumber’s office to apply for either type of financing. 

Pros and cons of plumbing customer financing

Here’s what to consider before you choose plumbing customer financing.

Pros

• Convenient financing

  Direct financing from a plumbing company is the easiest way to pay besides cash. Although it may not be the best deal out there, you don’t have to worry about shopping around and navigating multiple options.

• Quick to start work

  If you’re in the midst of a plumbing emergency, getting financing directly from the company could help get the job started faster. You don’t have to wait to apply and receive funding from another source; instead, they’ll quickly see whether you’re approved and get you on the schedule. 

Cons

• Limited financing opportunities

  While convenient, the downside of plumbing customer financing is that you don’t have the chance to shop for better rates. You’ll likely only have one financing offer to choose from.

• May need to apply in person

  Many plumbing companies use in-home devices (like a smartphone or tablet) to find out if you’re approved. Depending on your finances, you may feel uncomfortable going through this process with a contractor rather than a loan officer. 

Ask the expert

Rand Millwood

CFP®

One benefit that may come from using plumbing customer financing is some will offer 0% interest for a period of time, such as six months or a year. If this is available and you are confident you can pay off the loan amount within this time frame, this may be a better option than a personal loan where you will typically start accruing interest immediately.

How to choose plumbing financing

Deciding between a personal loan and plumbing financing from the service provider depends on your situation. In an emergency, you may choose the fastest option so you can get the problem fixed as soon as possible. 

But in a best-case scenario, you should also shop around to compare options. Consider interest rates, repayment terms, and any fees or penalties you must pay throughout the life of the loan. 

Many personal lenders allow you to prequalify and get these details in a loan quote before formally applying. There’s no impact on your credit score when there’s just a soft pull. When considering direct plumber financing, ask when your credit score is pulled. 

Once you decide on the type of financing you want, you can sign the loan agreement to initiate the deposit. Then call your plumber to get on their schedule once you know when the funds are set to arrive in your bank account. 

How to apply for financing for plumbing repairs 

Here’s what you’ll likely need to do when applying for any type of plumbing financing.

1. Get prequalified: If possible, find out how much financing you qualify for and with what kind of loan terms. Ideally, the financing company will only perform a soft credit check for this step.
2. Gather documentation: Once you choose your plumbing financing, get the right documentation in order. Usually, you’ll need proof of identity (like a driver’s license) and income verification (like recent pay stubs). 
3. Submit an application: Next, you’ll fill out some personal and financial details, as well as submit copies of requested documents. At this point, the lender also performs a hard credit check. 
4. Review financing terms: You may get an approval decision on the same day you apply or may need to wait a few business days. If approved, review your paperwork to make sure you understand all of the loan details, including payment structure and fees.
5. Sign loan agreement: Next, you’ll sign the loan agreement to finalize the funding. 
6. Receive funds: It could take a few days to receive the funding. Submit any outstanding documents as well as bank account information to speed up the process.

When applying for an online personal loan, you’ll complete all of these steps on your own device at home. If you choose plumbing financing from the contractor, you’ll likely do these steps together. 

Alternatives for plumbing financing

In addition to using a personal loan or financing from a plumber, there are a few alternatives to consider. 

Home equity loan

A home equity loan is based on the amount of equity you have in your home. The house is used as collateral, which makes it easier to qualify. You may also see lower interest rates since the loan is secured. However, you may need a home appraisal and experience a longer approval period.

Pros

• Lower interest rates

• Easier eligibility requirements 

Cons

• May have to pay for appraisal and closing costs

• Long funding time

• House used as collateral (risk of foreclosure)

HELOC

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is similar to a home equity loan. But instead of receiving a lump sum, you can access a credit line to draw on as you need. This could be a good option if your plumbing needs are part of a larger home renovation project. 

Pros

• Lower interest rates

• Interest only accrues on drawn funds

• Credit line is replenished as you pay down balance

Cons

• May have fees

• Long funding time

• House used as collateral (risk of foreclosure)

Ask the expert

Rand Millwood

CFP®

Tapping into your home equity is typically the primary recommendation for paying for plumbing repairs and upgrades. I would recommend having an available HELOC to handle these types of repairs and upgrades. Having a HELOC open will allow you to immediately access the necessary cash while maintaining some of the better interest and payment terms for this kind of work.

Credit card

Credit cards are revolving credit, which means that as you pay off your balance, that money once again becomes available. There are many types of credit cards on the market, some of which come with 0% intro APR, while others come with great rewards and bonuses. 

Depending on the scope of your plumbing project, it is possible to get a credit card with a high enough credit limit to finance the entire thing. However, you may need to have a strong credit score to get approved for such a card. 

Pros

• Can make minimum payments

• Do not have to use a high-value asset as collateral to secure the loan

• Can earn points and rewards

Cons

• Higher interest rate than most loans

• Lower loan amount than you would get with a secured loan

• A maxed-out credit card can hurt your credit score

Savings or cash

If you have the cash, you may consider paying for your plumbing project out of pocket. Whether the money is in a savings account or in an asset that can be easily liquidated, there are a few reasons why you may want to avoid banks and lenders. 

Pros

• Avoid application fees and high interest payments

• No monthly payments 

• Credit score will remain unchanged

Cons

• Will lower or deplete your savings

• You may not have enough cash to cover the entire project

Ask the expert

Rand Millwood

CFP®

If you have a significant amount of savings built up in a checking and savings account that is not really earning any interest, it would make sense to you some of this to cover some or all of a plumbing repair, but ensure you keep a sufficient amount on hand—typically three to six months worth of expenses, in the event of an unforeseen emergency that requires immediate cash. 

Plumbing financing FAQ 

Can I get plumbing financing for bad credit?

There are many loan products on the market for borrowers with subprime credit. When choosing which one to use, make sure to compare APRs and fees. 

How long does it take to get approved for a plumbing loan?

It depends on the loan product. Some are available the same day, while others may need a week or two. If you are choosing a secured loan, such as a HELOC, your home or other asset will need to be appraised before the loan can be approved, which can take two weeks or more. 

Does plumbing financing require a down payment?

No, plumbing financing does not require a down payment. Typically only mortgages and car loans require down payments. You won’t be asked to put any money down, but there may be an application or loan origination fee for either a personal loan or financing with a plumbing company.