So the budget conversation happens once, early, and kindly.
The worst version of a remodel is finding out in week nine that the island has to go. We would much rather know your number on day one and design something you can genuinely afford to love.
Soft credit pull · No impact on your score · No obligation
Options
Three ways Marin families pay for a kitchen.
We are not a lender and we earn nothing from any of these. We list them because families who know their options early end up with better kitchens.
0% for 12 months
No interest at all if the balance clears within twelve months. Most families use this for design, deposit and cabinetry.
- APR
- 0% promotional, OAC
- Term
- 12 months
- Typical score
- 700+
Fixed rate, 60–120 months
One predictable payment. Unsecured, so there is no lien on the house and no appraisal to wait on.
- APR
- From 7.49%, OAC
- Term
- 60 – 120 months
- Typical score
- 650+
HELOC or cash-out
Usually the cheapest money in Marin, because the house secures it. Slower — start it while we are still drawing.
- APR
- Typically lowest of the three
- Time to fund
- 3 – 6 weeks
- Note
- Places a lien on the property
Illustrative terms for demonstration only. All financing is provided by third-party lenders on approved credit; rates, terms and eligibility are set by the lender and subject to change.
Illustration
What it looks like each month.
Sample figures at 7.99% APR over 120 months, so you can see the shape of it. Your real numbers come from the lender, not from us.
Estimates only. Assumes 7.99% APR over 120 months with no down payment. Not an offer of credit.
How we bill
Five payments, each tied to something you can see.
You never pay for a stage that has not happened yet. Every draw releases against a milestone you can walk up and put your hand on.
- Draw 1 — 10%
- On signed design agreement
- Draw 2 — 25%
- On approved drawings, before cabinetry is built
- Draw 3 — 30%
- On cabinetry delivery to your house
- Draw 4 — 25%
- On countertop installation
- Draw 5 — 10%
- On punch-list completion, not a day before
Questions
Money questions, answered plainly.
Nobody enjoys this part. Here is everything you would otherwise have to ask twice.
Can you finance a kitchen remodel?
Yes — 0% APR for 12 months on approved credit, and fixed-rate terms up to 120 months through independent lending partners. The application takes about three minutes and uses a soft credit pull, so checking your rate does not affect your credit score.
Will checking my rate affect my credit score?
No. Pre-qualification uses a soft credit inquiry, which is invisible to other lenders and has no effect on your score. A hard inquiry only happens if you accept an offer and decide to proceed.
What credit score do I need?
Most approvals come in above 650, and the 0% promotional tier generally needs 700 or higher. Families below that range are often approved on longer fixed-rate terms — worth checking rather than assuming.
Is a HELOC better than contractor financing?
A HELOC usually carries a lower rate because your home secures it, but it takes three to six weeks to close and places a lien on the property. Contractor financing is unsecured and funds within days. Many Marin families use the 0% period for the deposit and a HELOC for the balance.
Does financing change the price of the work?
No. We take no commission from any lender, and there is no cash discount — which also means there is no financing surcharge buried in the estimate.
Next step
Know the number. Then fall in love with the drawing.
Your free visit ends with a written range — the figure you would take to any lender.