Top 7 Credit Cards for Home Improvement Projects in 2024

Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen, finishing a basement, installing solar panels, or tackling smaller home upgrades, the costs can really add up. Using the right credit cards strategically can help you earn bonus rewards on home improvement spending to offset some expenses.

In this post, we will cover the key features for selecting the best credit card for home improvements.

Credit Card Considerations for Home Improvement Spending

Here are the most important factors to evaluate:

Bonus Rewards Categories

Does the card offer an elevated earn rate specifically on home improvement or hardware store purchases?
What other large spending categories earn higher rewards? Common options include gas stations, dining, groceries, streaming services, travel, etc.

Introductory 0% Financing

Cards with a 0% intro APR allow you to finance large project costs over many months without paying interest. Ideal for bigger home upgrades.
What’s the length of the 0% term for new purchases? Typically 6-18 months.

Signup Bonus

Many cards provide statement credits or extra points worth $100+ for hitting a minimum spend threshold in the first 3 months.
This “free money” can help offset home improvement costs right away.

Annual Fee

Prefer no annual fee cards unless the perks and rewards clearly outweigh the cost.

Top Credit Cards for Home Improvement

Below are the top credit cards for home improvement purchases in different categories.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card – Overall Flat-Rate Cash Back

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card provides an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no need to track categories or activate bonuses.

There’s also a generous 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 17.24% – 27.24% Variable). It’s a top choice for home improvement projects when you don’t want to worry about 5% category restrictions or quarterly limits with other cash back cards.

New cardholders also earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening.

Citi Custom Cash Card – Flexible Customized Rewards

For maximum flexibility, the Citi Custom CashTM Card customizes your rewards each billing cycle. You earn an automatic 5% back on your highest eligible spend category up to the first $500 in combined purchases made (1% back thereafter).

Gas stations, restaurants, groceries, select streaming services, home improvement, and more all qualify for the 5% tier.

There’s no annual fee and you get an initial $200 cash back after $750 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Home Depot Credit Card – Big-Box Home Improvement Shopping

If you do most of your home improvement shopping at Home Depot already, then getting their store credit card is an easy way to earn 5% back in rewards on all purchases.

There’s also a $100 statement credit offered for spending $400 in the first 3 months. Keep in mind, rewards are capped at $2,000 annually and can only be redeemed as store credit with Home Depot.

But if you would just be putting costs back into future home projects there anyway, it’s still worthwhile. No annual fee.

Lowe’s Advantage Card – Low Interest Financing and Discounts

Similar to the Home Depot card, the Lowe’s Advantage Card provides instant 5% off your purchases in-store and online. So it acts as an immediate discount on building supplies, tools, appliances and everything else.

New cardholders also receive 6-months special financing on purchases of $300+. Note that rewards also must be redeemed as Lowe’s store credit.

With no annual fee and valuable upfront savings, it’s great for larger home renovation budgets focused on Lowe’s.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature® Card – Category Flexibility

For the ultimate flexibility in choosing your 5% cash back categories every quarter, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature® card is tough to beat.

Home improvement stores and electronic/appliance stores are just two of the options provided. You can choose 2 categories to earn 5% back on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter. All other purchases then earn 1% back.

The rewards structure takes more effort to maximize compared to automatic category cards, but the control it provides is fantastic. There is a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95.

Citi Custom Cash Card – Financing + Rewards Combo

In addition to its stellar customized rewards potential, the Citi Custom CashTM Card also offers a competitve 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 18.24% – 28.24% Variable). This makes it possible to finance larger home improvement projects without paying interest for well over a year.

You can Pair this with the card’s standard 5% back benefit on flexible categories up to $500 per billing period, and you have a winning rewards + financing option.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® – User-Chosen Categories

Similar to the Citi offering above, with the no annual fee Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® you get to pick 1 category each month that will then earn 3% cash back on all purchases in that tier up to $2,500.

Home improvement, gas stations, online shopping, dining and more all qualify. It provides an easy way to focus higher rewards on exactly where your current project costs are going month-to-month. New cardholders can also take advantage of a $200 cash rewards bonus after making $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening.

Conclusion on Credit Cards for Home Improvement

Any of the credit cards presented above provide unique value for ongoing home improvement projects or larger renovations.

Evaluate your needs around rewards earnings, account management preferences, spending power, and financing options. Then apply for the top contender that gives you maximum savings across your planned home upgrades.

Check Out: