Renovating your home can improve how you live, increase property value, or prepare your house for future resale. The challenge for many homeowners is working out how to fund those improvements without overpaying or choosing the wrong loan type.
At OneStop Financial Solutions, our mortgage brokers help you compare home improvement loans in New Zealand. From personal renovation loans to mortgage top-ups and construction lending, we help you choose the option that best fits your plans and budget.
Whether you’re planning to renovate a kitchen, extend your living space, upgrade a bathroom, or complete a full home extension, there are multiple ways to finance home improvements in New Zealand.
Many homeowners assume a personal loan is their only option. In reality, lenders offer several structures depending on:
A home improvement loan allows you to spread the cost over time, making renovations more manageable without draining your savings.
There are two main ways to fund renovations through NZ lenders: unsecured loans and secured lending against your home.
A
mortgage top-up
uses your home as security and is one of the most cost-effective ways to fund larger renovations.
This option is commonly used for:
How it works:
What to consider:
For medium to large projects, a mortgage top-up is often the best long-term option.
For significant renovations or extensions, some lenders offer construction-style lending.
Best suited for:
How it works:
This structure helps manage cash flow on complex projects.
A personal loan for home improvements is not secured against your property.
This option is often suitable for:
How it works:
Things to consider:
For smaller renovation budgets, a personal loan can be a simple and fast solution.
Matt Willoughby is the founder of OneStop Financial Solutions and a licensed mortgage adviser with 10+ years’ experience helping New Zealanders achieve their property goals. Operating under Financial Advice Provider Licence FSP702911 and regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), Matt is here to provide you with expert advice on your lending options when it comes to renovations and home improvements.
Apply online in minutes. We’ll review your situation and provide an indicative assessment within 24 hours, helping you decide whether to proceed before committing time or money.
We compare a wide range of banks and specialist lenders, assessing interest rates, fees, borrowing capacity, and flexibility, so you can access your funds for home improvement quickly and easily.
Our advice is free for most clients. Lenders usually pay us a commission once your loan settles, meaning there’s no direct cost to you. We only proceed if the loan genuinely suits your needs. Read our disclosure statement.
Home renovation finance can feel complex, but it doesn’t need to be.
Our Auckland based mortgage brokers manage the process from start to finish, including:
You’ll have clear advice, transparent options, and ongoing support throughout your renovation journey.
A home improvement loan is finance used to renovate or upgrade a property. Depending on how much you need to borrow, this can be a mortgage based structure, or an unsecured personal loan. Our blog post on top up loans vs home improvement loans explains this further.
Borrowing limits depend on income, credit profile, and for secured loans, available home equity.
A renovation loan is often unsecured, while a mortgage top-up uses your property as security and usually offers lower interest rates. Learn more about how home renovation loans work.
KiwiSaver cannot be used for home improvements. Read our blog post on when you can use KiwiSaver.
If your home improvement loan is secured against your home and you sell, the loan will be paid off from the proceeds of the sale. If your home improvement loan is an unsecured personal loan, this remains your responsibility regardless of property ownership.
Whether you’re planning a small upgrade or a major renovation, we’ll help you understand your options and choose the right loan structure.
Speak with a home improvement loan broker today to get started. Call our Auckland office on 021 022 17130 or complete our contact form below.
