Renovation resolution? Here’s why a personal loan might be a good idea

With 2018 here and new year’s resolutions made around the country, many Aussies probably have plans to finally embark on a long-overdue home renovation project. But before getting started, would-be renovators should check their rainy day fund and consider applying for a personal loan to cover costs, said Mozo property expert, Steve Jovcevski.
According to Jovcevski, having the budget planned out before starting a renovation can mean the difference between a good quality upgrade which adds value to a home, and a half-finished job.
“It’s always a good idea to plan your budget thoroughly before you start any major renovation, because if you run out of funds halfway through the job, it can be tricky to convince a bank to lend you more money,” Jovcevski said.
“If you’ve run over budget, that might be a sign that the work is getting more expensive than you were prepared for, which can make a lender nervous about your ability to repay a loan.”
To avoid being stuck with a half-gutted bathroom or carpet halfway torn up, Jovcevski urged borrowers to seek out quotes for renovation work and itemise a budget before getting started.
“Whether you’re doing the work yourself or getting a tradie in to do it, plan for each cost involved, and then plan for unexpected expenses that crop up - because they usually will.”
While some Aussies rely on their savings to fund a home renovation, another option is to take out a personal loan, some of which are specifically geared toward paying for home upgrades. According to Jovcevski, taking out a loan could be a smarter option for renovators who aren’t sure their savings will cover the work that needs to be done.
“If you have the savings to cover the work, then that’s great. But not everyone has a spare $20,000 to spend on a new bathroom,” said Jovcevski.
“Plus, it’s important not to stretch your budget too thin, because you’ll wind up cutting corners, and ultimately, you won’t be happy with the result and the reno won’t add value to your home like you want it to. In that case, it could be well worth borrowing the money and paying a bit of interest to make sure the job is done right.”
If a fresh new kitchen or brand new deck is on your to-do list for 2018, check out some of the personal loans below to get started.
Personal loans - January 2018 - last updated 16 May 2022
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Unsecured Personal Loan - 2022
Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsBorrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Back to back winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021 & 2022^.
Repayment terms from 2 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.95% would cost $34,757.21 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 19.95% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $50,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 2 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
- Rates based on borrower with excellent credit score. Maximum 3 year term for loan amounts $8,000 or less.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NOW Finance Unsecured Personal Loan
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Featured Product Hot Deal A special low rate starting from 5.45% (6.07% comparison rate)
Low Rate Personal Loan
Excellent Credit
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsOurMoneyMarket offer competitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on loans up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments and fee-free redraw facility. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan 2021 award^.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.45% would cost $34,590.57 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.45% p.a.to 8.48% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.07% p.a.to 8.84% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,001.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
- Rate for Excellent Credit. Establishment fee varies from $250 and is based on your OurMoneyMarket loan grade and total loan amount. The fee is added to the principal amount and paid over the loan term.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the OurMoneyMarket Low Rate Personal Loan
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Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsFast, easy and 100% online, this is a low cost loan with no ongoing fees or extra repayment penalties. It's perfect for savvy borrowers with great credit. If you’re over 18 and earn above $30,000, you could qualify (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Repayment terms from 3 years to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.35% would cost $34,832.61 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.35% p.a.to 19.09% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.to 19.99% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $575
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $70,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Establishment fee is $275 for loans under $5,000.
- Other restrictions
- Establishment fee is added to the loan amount and interest is charged on the total amount.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Harmoney Unsecured Personal Loan
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Home Improvement Loan
Fixed, Unsecured
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.75% p.a.5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsHandypay offers flexible home improvement loans for Excellent Credit or better. Handypay is a specialist home improvement plan provider and offers loans up to $75,000.
Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.75% would cost $34,840.18 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.75% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 5.96% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $250
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $35.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Minimum loan amount
- $2,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $75,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 1 Year
- Maximum loan term
- 7 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Handypay Home Improvement Loan
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Personal Loan
Unsecured, Fixed, Excellent Credit
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsWith low rates for borrowers with excellent credit, a quick 1 minute rate estimate and simple online application, there’s a lot to love about this loan! You’ll not only benefit from no exit fees, there are also no early repayment fees. You could qualify by simply earning above $25,000 and you’ll be on the way to start spending (other eligibility criteria may apply).
Repayment terms from 3 years to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.39% would cost $35,126.40 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 7.89% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.39% p.a.to 8.49% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $0
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $50,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 5 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Up front fee may be higher than shown depending on your application.
- Other restrictions
- Displayed interest rate is for customers with an excellent credit history. Application fees may be higher depending on loan amount.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Plenti Personal Loan
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Unsecured Personal Loan
Fixed
interest rate
comparison rate
Monthly repayment5.95% p.a.to 17.45% p.a.6.79% p.a.to 17.86% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 yearsWisr offers personal loans for any worthwhile purpose, tailored to your credit score to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Plus, no ongoing or early exit fees. Loans from $5,000 to $79,000. Terms of either 3, 5 or 7 years. $595 establishment fee. Eligibility criteria applies.
Repayment terms from 3 years to 5 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 5.95% would cost $35,352.21 including fees.
CompareCompare- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 17.45% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.79% p.a.to 17.86% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- interest rate
- 5.95% p.a.to 17.45% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 6.79% p.a.to 17.86% p.a.based on $30,000
over 5 years
- Upfront fee
- $595
- Monthly fee
- $0.00
- Exit fee
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $25.00
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000.00
- Maximum loan amount
- $64,000.00
- Minimum loan term
- 3 Years
- Maximum loan term
- 5 Years
- Security required
- Unsecured
- Other benefits
- Other restrictions
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Wisr Unsecured Personal Loan
* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Personal Loan Awards
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