Loans for home improvements
Whether you're refreshing a room, upgrading your kitchen or tackling essential repairs, our personal loans for home improvements can help you access the funds you need and spread the cost with confidence.Â
✓ Borrow up to £15,000 with rates from 9.9% APR.
✓ No hidden, early or late repayment fees
✓ Pay back over 1 month to 5 years
Making your house feel more like home
Making improvements to your home can be exciting, but the costs can quickly add up. Whether you're planning a long-awaited renovation, replacing worn-out furnishings, or building your dream home, having access to funds upfront can help you get started sooner.
At Great Western Credit Union, we offer flexible personal loans of up to £15,000, helping people across the South West invest in the home improvements they need. With clear, fixed repayments and no hidden fees, you can spread the cost in a way that works for your budget.
What is a home improvement loan?
A home improvement loan is a personal loan used to fund upgrades, repairs or renovations around your home.
Many people may choose a home improvement loan to spread the cost of larger purchases or projects rather than paying for everything at once.
Home improvement loans can be used for:
- Installing new kitchens and bathrooms
- Decorating and redecorating
- Flooring and carpets
- Furniture and appliances
- Roofing and structural repairs
- Garden improvements
Whether you're making small improvements or planning a larger project, a home improvement loan can help you access the funds you need when you need them.
Get a quote before you apply
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Find out how much you will need to repay.
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We'll also tell you how likely you are to be approved.
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Getting a quote won't affect your credit score.
You can borrow up to £15,000. Representative APR 14.9% to 42.6% based on the amount you borrow and individual situation. Repay your loan over 1 to 5 years.
Loans are subject to status.
We will show you:
- your personalised interest rate
- how much your repayments will be
- how much the total loan would cost
Key details
Taking out a personal loan with GWCU is a simple process.
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Borrow anywhere from £100 to £15,000
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Pay back your loan with a fixed interest rate
The specific rate you receive depends on the amount you borrow and individual situation.
£100 - £15,000
14.9% to 42.6% APR representative on loans between £100 and £15,000.
Your rate is personal to you. It’s based on things like your credit score, income, and loan amount, so it might not match the Representative APR.
The rate you see in your quote is an estimate and not a guarantee.
Representative APR: 42.6%
Representative example: Borrow £1,000 over 12 months, and repay £100.46 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £205.52) is £1,205.52.
Your actual rate will depend on your credit profile. Rates range from 9.9% to 42.6% APR.
Other examples:
Borrow £2,000 over 24 months, and repay £116.07 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £785.68) is £2,785.68. 39.9% APR representative.
Borrow £4,000 over 36 months, and repay £152.06 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £1,474.16) is £5,474.16. 23.9% APR representative.
Borrow £6,000 over 48 months, and repay £177.25 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £2,508.00) is £8,508.00. 19.9% APR representative.
Borrow £10,000 over 60 months, and repay £232.73 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £3,963.80) is £13,963.80. 14.9% APR representative.
1 month - 5 years.
There are no fees for paying your loan off early.
Why choose Great Western Credit Union?
As a credit union, we do things differently. We’re a mutual, member‑owned financial organisation, which means our focus is always on our members’ financial wellbeing, not making profits for shareholders.
As a co-operative, we care deeply for our local communities in the South West. That’s why every penny stays right here in the region with any profits reinvested to benefit our members and the communities we’re proud to serve.
We always take your current circumstances into consideration, not just your credit history.
No hidden costs, no late fees, and no penalties for early repayments.
We pride ourselves on being responsible lenders, meaning we only approve a loan if we’re sure you can safely repay it.
With plans stretching up to 5 years, repayment schedules are adapted to your lifestyle so you’re never caught out.
How much could a credit union home improvement loan cost?
Use our loan calculator to see how a GWCU home improvement loan fits your budget.
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This example is an estimate. The actual rate you're offered could be higher or lower than the rate in this example depending on your personal situation, the loan amount and the term you choose when you apply. You'll see your personal rate before you decide to go ahead.
Am I eligible for a home improvement loan?
To apply for a GWCU home improvement loan, you must:
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Be aged 18 or over
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Live or work in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset
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Have a regular income of £450 or more a month
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Have enough disposable income to comfortably make your repayments
Optional: You are a tenant of one of our partner housing associations (if your postcode is outside of our usual area)
Can I get a credit union home improvement loan with bad credit?
While we do perform an initial credit check, it’s not the only thing we look at. We also consider your personal circumstances and income when reviewing your application to make sure the loan is right for you.
Should I get a credit union home improvement loan?
A credit union home improvement loan can be a practical way to spread the cost of making changes to your home, but it's important to consider whether borrowing is right for you.
Taking a moment to understand the pros and cons can help you decide what's right for you and your budget.Â
Here are some things to consider: Â
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Ready to improve your home?
Whether you're upgrading furniture, tackling essential repairs or planning a bigger renovation project, a GWCU loan could help you spread the cost with confidence.Â
Use our Personal Loan calculator to see what your repayments could look like before you apply.Â
Frequently asked questions
Are home improvement loans a good idea?
For some people, a home improvement loan can be a useful way to spread the cost of larger projects or purchases, whether that's renovating a room, replacing worn-out furniture or carrying out essential repairs around the home.
Before borrowing, it's important to make sure the repayments fit comfortably within your budget and that you're only borrowing what you need.
Use our simple calculator to see what your repayments could look like based on how much you'd like to borrow.
Do people take out loans for home improvements?
Many people take out loans to help cover the cost of home improvements, renovations and household purchases. Whether it's redecorating a room, replacing flooring, buying new furniture or carrying out larger projects around the home, a loan can help spread the cost over time.
However, it's important to remember that you'll need to repay what you've borrowed, plus interest, over an agreed period. This means you'll repay more than the original loan amount, and missed repayments could affect your credit score.Â
Are credit union car home improvement loans secured or unsecured?
Generally, home improvement loans from credit unions are unsecured. This means you don't need to use your home, car or any other asset as security when borrowing for renovations, repairs or upgrades around the home.
At Great Western Credit Union, our home improvement loans are unsecured, giving you the flexibility to fund your project with confidence, whether you're decorating a room, buying new furniture or taking on a larger renovation.
What can I use a home improvement loan for?
A home improvement loan can be used for a wide range of projects, both big and small. Many people use them to help fund decorating projects, new furniture, flooring, kitchen or bathroom upgrades, home repairs, garden improvements, or energy-efficiency upgrades.
Whether you're giving your home a fresh look or making practical improvements, a home improvement loan can help spread the cost.Â
Can I get a home improvement loan with bad credit?
At Great Western Credit Union, we consider more than just your credit history. While we do conduct an initial credit check to make sure you can safely repay your loan, we also take into account your personal circumstances when reviewing your application.
Take our quick eligibility check to find out whether a home improvement loan is right for you.
How quickly can I receive the funds from a home improvement loan?
Home improvement loans can help you get started on your project sooner, giving you access to the funds you need straight away if your application is approved.
Why did I receive a personal loan when I applied for a car loan?
A credit union home improvement loan is simply a personal loan used to cover the cost of home improvements.
When you apply, your application will show as a personal loan. Our personal loans can be used for many different reasons, including home improvements or home repairs.
That means nothing’s changed about what you’ve applied for. It’s simply the type of loan we offer, and you can still use it for your home as planned.