Big plans for your home? Here’s how to fund them.
A lot of people use a secured loan to fund their home project — and many also bring their other payments together at the same time. The result? Often lower monthly payments than before, even with the extra borrowing.
Popular Home Projects
What are you planning?
Many people consolidate debts at the same time and end up with
Lower monthly payments than beforeYou could improve your home and pay less each month
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: when you take out a secured loan for home improvements, you can also consolidate your existing debts at the same time.
Credit cards, car finance, personal loans — combine them all into one manageable payment alongside your home improvement funds.
Because secured loan rates are typically much lower than credit cards and personal loans, many people end up with a lower total monthly payment than they were making before — even after adding the cost of their home improvements.
The result? A bigger, better home — and often lower monthly payments than before. It’s the most common reason people combine their home project with debt consolidation.
Example: Kitchen + Debt Consolidation
How the numbers could work
Current monthly payments
One secured loan payment
You could pay less by
£370 less per month Plus a new kitchenWhat are you planning?
From small upgrades to bigger renovations, a secured loan could fund pretty much any home project.
Extension
Add more living space with a single or double storey extension. Whether it’s an open-plan kitchen-diner or an extra bedroom.
Typical cost: £30,000 – £100,000+Loft conversion
Turn unused roof space into a bedroom, office, or bathroom. Often one of the best ways to add value.
Typical cost: £25,000 – £65,000New kitchen
Whether you want a simple refresh or a full refit, a new kitchen can make a big difference.
Typical cost: £8,000 – £40,000+Bathroom renovation
A new bathroom or en-suite can really change your daily routine — from modern fittings to a complete redesign.
Typical cost: £5,000 – £20,000Solar panels & energy
Solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation can help reduce your energy bills.
Typical cost: £6,000 – £25,000Garden & landscaping
Make the most of your outside space — patios, decking, garden rooms, driveways, and more.
Typical cost: £5,000 – £50,000+Other popular projects:
Why do people choose a secured loan for home improvements?
There are a few reasons why a secured loan often works well for home projects.
Borrow what you actually need
Access £10,000 to £1.5 million based on your equity. Personal loans usually cap around £25,000, which often isn’t enough for bigger projects. The average secured loan is around £50,000.
Typically lower rates
Secured loans typically offer significantly lower rates than personal loans or credit cards. Over a £30,000 project, which could mean paying less overall.
You can consolidate debts too
Roll in existing credit cards, loans and finance alongside your home improvement funds. Many people end up with lower monthly payments than before — even with more borrowed.
Keep your existing mortgage
A secured loan sits alongside your mortgage — you keep your current rate and don’t pay early repayment charges. Perfect if you’re on a competitive deal.
Manageable monthly payments
Spread the cost over 3 to 30 years. Longer terms mean lower monthly payments, making even major projects affordable month-to-month.
Could add value to your home
Many home improvements increase your property value. An extension or loft conversion could add more to your home’s worth than the cost of the project itself.
Here’s how the process goes
It’s designed to be straightforward, even for bigger projects.
Have a quick chat
Tell us a bit about your home, your project, and whether you’d like to consolidate any debts too. Takes about 2 minutes.
⏱ ~2 minsSee what’s available
Albot checks over 100 lenders and shows you options that could work — including what your monthly payments might look like.
⚡ Options shown instantlySpeak to a person
If you want to go further, a qualified adviser from Loan.co.uk reviews everything with you. They’re authorised and regulated by the FCA.
👤 FCA regulatedGet your funds
Once approved, the money is transferred so you can start your project.
🏗️ Start your projectQuestions people ask about home improvement loans
Here are answers to the things people ask most often.
How much can I borrow for home improvements?
You can borrow from £10,000 up to £1.5 million or more, depending on your property equity. Unlike personal loans which typically cap at £25,000, a secured loan could let you fund bigger projects like extensions, loft conversions, and complete home makeovers. Your home is at risk if you don’t keep up repayments on a secured loan.
Can I consolidate debts alongside my home improvement loan?
Yes — and this is one of the most common ways to use a secured loan. Most of our home improvement clients also consolidate existing credit cards, loans, and finance. Because secured loan rates are typically much lower, many end up with lower monthly payments than before, even after adding their home improvement costs.
Will adding value to my home affect my loan options?
Lenders typically base your loan on your property’s current value, not the improved value. However, adding value through improvements can benefit you when you come to sell or remortgage in the future. Some projects like extensions and loft conversions can add significantly more value than they cost.
Do I need planning permission before applying?
Not necessarily. Many home improvements fall under permitted development rights and don’t need planning permission. For larger projects that do require permission, some lenders are happy to approve loans subject to planning being granted, while others prefer it to be in place first. We can help with your specific situation.
How long does it take to get the funds?
Typically 2-4 weeks from application to funds in your account. This includes a property valuation and legal work. You’ll see your options instantly with Albot, and completion speed depends on how quickly valuations and paperwork are processed. We’ll keep you updated along the way.
Can I do the work myself or do I need contractors?
That’s entirely up to you. A secured home improvement loan gives you the funds to spend as you choose. You can hire contractors, project manage it yourself, or do a combination. The money is released to you, not directly to builders — giving you full control over your project.
Want to see what’s possible for your home?
It takes about 2 minutes, there’s no commitment, and it won’t affect your credit score. You can add debt consolidation too — many people end up paying less each month.
See what’s possibleRepresentative Example (Secured Loans & Second Charge Mortgages)
If you borrow £18,000 over 10 years, initially on a fixed rate for 5 years at 7.4% and for the remaining 5 years on the lender’s standard variable rate of 7.9%, you would make 60 monthly payments of £249.27 and 60 monthly payments of £254.63. The total amount of credit is £19,657 (including a lender fee of £595 and a broker fee of £1,062). The total amount repayable would be £30,234. The overall cost for comparison is 10.42% APRC representative. This means 51% or more of customers receive this rate or better for this type of product.
Albot is an introducer and technology platform, not a lender and not a broker. Applications may be passed to Loan.co.uk Ltd, which acts as a credit broker, not a lender. Rates are subject to status, affordability checks and lender criteria.