Help California homeowners move forward with roofing, remodeling, and other home improvements by offering monthly payment options.
Financing for contractors in California lets you offer monthly payment options for roofing, HVAC, window replacements, and other home improvement projects without managing customer loans yourself. Instead of requiring homeowners to pay the full project cost upfront, you can give them a way to check financing offers while reviewing your estimate.
Contractor Financing Solutions connects your customers with participating lenders through one application. Homeowners can review available loan offers with a soft credit check, and your company receives payment when the loan funds. The lender handles repayment directly with the homeowner.
✓One application, multiple lenders. Customers can check offers from participating lenders without applying separately to each one.
✓Financing for larger projects. Eligible homeowners may receive offers up to $100,000, depending on the lender and their qualifications.
✓Lender-managed repayment. The lender collects monthly payments directly from homeowners after funding. Non-recourse terms are subject to the applicable agreements.
✓Soft credit check for initial offers. Customers can check available offers without affecting their credit score. A hard inquiry happens only if they choose an offer and submit a full application.
Get your financing link. Once your company is set up, you’ll receive a financing link you can share during an estimate, send by text, or include in a proposal.
Customers review their options. Homeowners complete one application and review any available offers from participating lenders, including the loan amount, APR, monthly payment, and repayment term. They decide whether to accept an offer.
Confirm funding. After the homeowner accepts an offer and completes the lender’s requirements, your company is paid according to the lender’s funding schedule. Payment may happen after signing, after the work is completed, or in stages. The lender collects the homeowner’s monthly payments.
Check the funding schedule before starting work. California has specific rules for down payments and progress payments on home improvement contracts. Make sure your contract and the lender’s payment process are reviewed together so you know when funds can be collected and when work can begin.
The table below shows estimated monthly payments for several common home improvement projects, assuming a 14.99% fixed APR and no additional fees. We’ve included five-year and 10-year terms to show how repayment length affects both the monthly payment and total interest. The 14.99% rate is an illustrative assumption, not a typical or quoted rate.
| Project Example | Amount Financed | 5 Years: Approx. Monthly / Total Interest | 10 Years: Approx. Monthly / Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump installation | $7,500 | $178 / $3,203 | $121 / $7,015 |
| Whole-home window replacement | $12,500 | $297 / $5,339 | $202 / $11,691 |
| Class A fire-rated roof replacement | $20,000 | $476 / $8,542 | $323 / $18,706 |
| Roof plus wildfire hardening package | $35,000 | $832 / $14,948 | $564 / $32,735 |
For a $20,000 roof replacement, a 10-year loan lowers the monthly payment by about $153 compared with a five-year loan, but adds about $10,164 in total interest. A longer term reduces the monthly cost while increasing the total cost of borrowing.
Payment examples are hypothetical and are not offers of credit. They assume a fixed 14.99% APR, no fees, and on-time payments over the full term, with amounts rounded to the nearest dollar. Actual APRs, terms, fees, and approval vary by lender, loan amount, and the borrower’s credit profile, and the terms shown may not be available for every project.
The projects California homeowners take on are shaped by wildfire risk, earthquake exposure, energy rules, and inland heat. Each one raises different questions when you’re preparing an estimate.
Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas may be considering more than a roof replacement. Fire-resistant vents, roof materials, and other improvements can add to the cost of protecting a home. Under California’s Safer from Wildfires regulation, insurers must offer discounts for qualifying mitigation, although eligibility depends on the improvements and the insurer’s rules. You can offer financing when customers want to complete several eligible upgrades together. See our roofing contractor financing page for more.
Heat pumps are becoming an important option for California homeowners replacing heating and cooling equipment. The state’s updated energy code affects certain new construction and renovation projects, and installation costs vary depending on electrical work, equipment, and the home’s existing system.
Federal home energy credits under sections 25C and 25D ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS. Before quoting, check which utility rebates are currently available. Financing may help customers spread the cost of a qualifying installation over time.
Some older California homes need foundation bolting or additional bracing to improve earthquake resistance. These projects can cost several thousand dollars, depending on the home’s construction. Programs such as Earthquake Brace + Bolt have offered grants for eligible homes, but funding and enrollment are limited. Homeowners who don’t qualify for a grant, or whose project costs exceed the available assistance, may want to explore financing.
An AC failure during a summer heat wave can leave homeowners needing a replacement with little time to plan for the expense. This is especially relevant in hotter areas such as the Central Valley and Inland Empire. Offering financing during the estimate gives eligible customers a way to review monthly payment options. See our HVAC contractor financing page for more.
Installing a heat pump, EV charger, or other electrical equipment may require upgrades to a home’s wiring or electrical panel. When those costs are added to the original estimate, financing can give homeowners another way to pay for the full project, provided the work is eligible under the lender’s program.
Project costs can vary considerably across California, especially between major cities and smaller markets. The table below uses published estimates from Angi and HomeAdvisor as general reference points. Most figures are national averages, so actual contractor quotes may differ based on labor, materials, permits, and the work required.
| Project | Typical Range | Estimated Average | Basis | Source (Updated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | $8,800 to $22,100 | $9,609 | National; range for an 1,800 sq. ft. roof, average across all roof sizes | Angi (Mar 2026) |
| Heat pump installation | $4,236 to $7,942 | $6,087 | National | HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026) |
| HVAC system replacement | $5,000 to $12,500 | $7,500 | National | Angi (Aug 2026) |
| Window replacement | $300 to $2,100 | $850 | National, per window | HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026) |
| Earthquake retrofit | $3,671 to $6,664 | $5,013 | Los Angeles | Angi (Aug 2026) |
The Los Angeles retrofit figures reflect typical bolting and bracing work; soft-story homes can cost far more. Window prices are per window, so a whole-home project multiplies that figure by the number of openings.
California has detailed rules for home improvement sales, and several apply directly when a project is financed. Exceptions and transaction-specific details can matter, so treat this as an overview rather than legal advice.
Licensing and salespeople. California generally requires a CSLB contractor license for projects costing $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and for smaller jobs that need a building permit, under Business and Professions Code section 7048. Salespeople who negotiate home improvement contracts may also need to register with the CSLB, although some exemptions apply.
Down payments and progress payments. Under section 7159.5, California generally limits down payments on covered home improvement contracts to $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, and restricts progress payments to the value of work performed or materials delivered. Confirm that your payment schedule and any third-party financing arrangements comply with the applicable requirements.
Cancellation rights. Certain California home improvement contracts give customers a right to cancel after signing. According to the CSLB, the standard period is generally three business days for covered transactions, and homeowners 65 and older generally have five. Provide the required notices and confirm when work can begin.
Financing regulation. California regulates certain lending and loan-brokering activities through the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law. If you use third-party financing, confirm whether any additional requirements apply to your role in the transaction.
Homeowners may compare several ways to pay for a project, including savings, credit cards, home equity loans, and financing offered through their contractor. Each option has different costs, approval requirements, and repayment terms.
| Option | How It Works | When It May Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Cash or savings | The homeowner pays from their own funds, with no interest or application. | Homeowners who have enough savings to cover the project without using money they need for other expenses. |
| Credit card | Revolving credit, often at a high variable APR, limited by the card’s available balance. | Small repairs or deposits the homeowner plans to pay off quickly. |
| HELOC or home equity loan | Borrowing against home equity, with the home as collateral. Approval can take longer, and some lenders require an appraisal. | Large, planned projects where the homeowner has equity and time to wait. |
| PACE financing | Unlike a personal loan, repayment is tied to a property assessment collected with property taxes. Where available, it may cover qualifying improvements, and California PACE programs carry state-specific consumer protections. | Eligible properties in participating areas. Homeowners should carefully review the assessment obligation, total cost, and effects on property taxes, mortgages, refinancing, or a sale before proceeding. |
| Independent personal loan | The homeowner shops a bank, credit union, or online lender on their own and brings the funds to the job. | Homeowners who prefer to compare loans through their own bank, credit union, or online lender. |
| Contractor-offered financing | One application presented with your estimate reaches multiple participating lenders, and the homeowner reviews any available offers before choosing. | Homeowners who want to check financing options while reviewing your estimate. |
Contractors can explain the financing options they offer, but homeowners should review the terms and decide which payment method works best for them.
Some California homeowners with lower credit scores may qualify for financing, depending on the lender. Certain participating lenders consider applicants with credit scores around 570, and approval can also depend on credit history, income, existing debt, and the amount requested. Customers with lower scores may receive different rates or loan terms, and approval isn’t guaranteed.
Homeowners apply directly through the financing platform, where participating lenders review their information and determine eligibility. Your staff doesn’t need to collect financial documents or make credit decisions.
Getting started begins with a review of your business, the types of projects you sell, and the financing programs available to your California customers. We’ll explain the application process, program fees, and funding requirements before you enroll.
✓Financing for your trade and area. We’ll review which participating lenders serve California homeowners and support the types of projects your company handles.
✓A link you can share with customers. Add your financing link to estimates, proposals, or follow-up messages.
✓Clear funding requirements. Learn when each applicable lender pays and what documentation may be required.
✓Direct customer applications. Homeowners enter their information into the financing platform rather than sharing it with your staff.
✓Program costs explained upfront. Review fees and terms before deciding whether to enroll.
Request Your Free Financing Demo
Program fees depend on your business and how you plan to use financing. We walk through every fee during your demo, and all fees are written into your agreement before you enroll.
Payment timing depends on the lender and the type of project. Some lenders fund after loan documents are completed, while others require additional documentation, completed work, or inspections. We’ll review the funding process with you before you begin offering financing.
California generally caps home improvement down payments at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, and limits progress payments to the value of completed work or delivered materials. How those rules interact with a particular lender’s funding process depends on the contract and financing structure, so review both together, ideally with counsel, before offering financing.
California generally requires people who sell or negotiate home improvement contracts for licensed contractors to register as Home Improvement Salespersons with the CSLB, although exceptions apply. This requirement is separate from any rules that may apply to offering financing.
Common projects include roof replacements, heat pumps and HVAC systems, window replacements, seismic retrofits, wildfire hardening upgrades, electrical work, plumbing, and other home improvements. Eligible project types and loan purposes are set by each lender, so confirm eligibility for specialty or combined-trade work during onboarding.
No. Checking what a homeowner qualifies for uses a soft credit check, which won’t impact their credit score. A hard inquiry only happens if they choose an offer and move forward with a full loan application.
Under a non-recourse arrangement, the lender generally assumes the homeowner’s ordinary repayment risk after funding, so missed payments are between the homeowner and the lender. Review your agreements for exceptions involving fraud, refunds, cancellations, or contractual disputes.
Request a demo to walk through the platform, lender coverage for your area, program terms, fees, and onboarding. Once your company completes setup, you’ll receive your financing link to use with estimates and follow-up conversations.
See how the program works, which lenders serve your area, and what it costs to get started.
Request a Free DemoContractor Financing Solutions is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. Financing is offered by independent participating lenders. Loan approval, available amounts, APRs, repayment terms, and funding timelines vary by lender, borrower qualifications, and applicable state requirements. Checking available offers uses a soft credit check that won’t impact credit scores; a hard inquiry may occur only if a borrower chooses an offer and submits a full application. Non-recourse arrangements are subject to the applicable lender and contractor agreements and do not eliminate obligations arising from fraud, refunds, cancellations, or contractual disputes. All project costs and payment illustrations are examples, not guaranteed prices or offers of credit.
Estimate potential returns from offering customer payment plans.
Additional Monthly Revenue
Revenue: $90,000 → $120,000
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for illustrative scenario planning only and do not guarantee future revenue, approval rates, or closing percentages. Actual revenue will vary based on customer creditworthiness, project scope, lender terms, and merchant processing fees.
Offer monthly payments to homeowners in three simple steps, without becoming a lender or handling customer loan payments.
Share your link by text, email, estimate, or in person. Homeowners complete one quick application to explore offers from multiple lenders, starting with a soft credit check that won’t affect their credit score.
Every estimate you send without a monthly payment option is a deal you’re leaving to chance. Get started with Contractor Financing Solutions and give your next homeowner an easier way to say yes.
