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Financing Your Project With Southwest Exteriors: A Detailed Breakdown

February 25th, 2025 | 43 min. read

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Financing Your Project With Southwest Exteriors: A Detailed Breakdown

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When you're gearing up for a home exterior renovation, the thrill of transforming your home can quickly be overshadowed by the big question: How are you going to pay for it?  

At Southwest Exteriors, we get it - financing is often the deciding factor in whether your dream project moves forward or stays on hold. That's why we've created one of the most flexible and comprehensive financing programs in the industry, with options designed to fit almost any budget and preference.  

Instead of wiping out your savings or stressing about your budget, you might be surprised at how manageable your project can become with simple monthly payments. 

In this guide, we’ll break down your monthly payment options into two main categories:  

  • Low-interest financing for those who want the lowest possible monthly payments over a longer period 
  • Zero-interest options for those who prefer to avoid interest altogether. If avoiding interest is your style, feel free to jump straight to the zero-interest section—we’ve got you covered. 

Let's dive in and explore how you can fund your next project without dipping into the college fund: 

Financing Overview: What You Need to Know 

Financing your home exterior project with Southwest Exteriors is much easier than dealing with traditional bank loans or home equity lines of credit. While banks and credit unions might drag their feet for weeks, our financing decisions are made in just 8-10 minutes - right there during your in-home consultation.

No waiting around to see if you’re approved. You’ll know before your design consultant even walks out the door. 

  • No appraisal required: Skip the cost and wait time of a home appraisal. That’s time and money back in your pocket. 
  • No prepayment penalties: Pay off your project early if you’d like, without any extra fees. 
  • No mountain of paperwork: You won’t need to dig up old pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage statements, or asset declarations. 
  • No back-and-forth with lenders: Everything is handled directly during your appointment—quick and easy. 

We make financing your project almost as simple as paying with cash—but with the added flexibility to spread out the cost in a way that works for your financial situation.

Low Interest Financing Options

Low interest financing provides an excellent solution for homeowners who want to transform their home's exterior while keeping monthly payments as manageable as possible. These options allow you to spread the cost of your project over several years, making even substantial renovations fit comfortably within your monthly budget. 

At Southwest Exteriors, our low interest financing falls into two primary categories, each with distinct advantages depending on your financial priorities: Long-term, Low interest, and Long-term, higher-interest.

Understanding the Trade-Off: Interest Rate vs. Fees 

Before we dive into specific options, there’s an important concept to keep in mind: interest rates and loan fees usually have an inverse relationship. When you choose a financing option, you’re not just picking an interest rate—you’re also deciding how much you’ll pay in loan origination fees. 

Here’s how it works: 

  • Long-term low-interest options: These come with minimal interest charges over the life of the loan but include higher upfront fees built into your project cost. They’re perfect if you plan to stick with the loan for its full term and want the lowest possible monthly payment relative to your loan amount. 
  • Long-term higher-interest options: These have a higher interest rate but much lower upfront fees, which means a lower initial project cost. While your monthly payments might be higher, the reduced fees could make this option more economical if you plan to pay off your loan early or if keeping your upfront costs low is a priority. 

It all comes down to what matters most to you. Some homeowners prefer the predictability of a lower interest rate, while others want to minimize their initial project cost. Both approaches aim to make your exterior renovation more affordable—just in different ways. 

In the next sections, we’ll break down specific financing options in each category to help you choose the approach that best fits your financial goals and makes your dream project a reality. 

Long-Term Low-Interest Options: Affordable Financing for Your Home Exterior Project 

Our long-term low-interest financing options are perfect if you’re looking for predictable, budget-friendly monthly payments with minimal interest costs. With a competitive 2.99% interest rate available across several term lengths, you can choose a timeline that fits your financial goals. 

10-Year 2.99% Financing 

Our 10-year financing option at 2.99% offers a great balance between keeping monthly payments manageable and not stretching the loan out too long. It’s one of our most popular choices for good reason—you get a full decade to pay for your project with steady, affordable payments. 

For example, if your exterior renovation costs $50,000, the 10-year plan would mean monthly payments of around $483. This makes large-scale improvements possible without putting too much pressure on your monthly budget. 

12-Year 2.99% Financing 

If you’d like even lower monthly payments, our 12-year financing option gives you more time to repay while keeping the same low 2.99% interest rate. This option stretches out the payments, making it easier to handle bigger projects. 

With the same $50,000 project example, the 12-year term would reduce your monthly payment to about $414—almost $70 less per month compared to the 10-year plan. 

5-Year 2.99% Financing 

For homeowners with higher cash flow who want to pay off their project quickly, our 5-year financing option offers the same low 2.99% rate with a much shorter repayment period. While your monthly payments will be higher, you’ll save significantly on interest over the life of the loan. 

On a $50,000 project, the 5-year term would mean a monthly payment of approximately $897. While this is higher than the longer-term options, you’ll become debt-free in half the time and pay much less interest overall. 

When Long-Term Low-Interest Options Make Sense 

Our long-term low-interest financing might be the best fit for you if: 

  • You plan to stay in your home for many years. 
  • You want the lowest possible interest rate. 
  • You prefer predictable, fixed monthly payments. 
  • You’re comfortable with slightly higher upfront project costs in exchange for lower interest over time. 
  • You have good to excellent credit. 

These options offer peace of mind with consistent payments at a competitive rate. While they include higher loan fees built into the project cost, the low interest charges often make this the most cost-effective choice if you plan to keep the loan for its full term. 

Many of our customers find that these low-interest options turn their dream exterior renovation into a reality—without stretching their finances too thin. 

Long-Term Higher-Interest Options: Lower Upfront Costs, More Financial Flexibility 

A higher interest rate might not sound like the best choice at first, but our long-term higher-interest financing options have one advantage: lower origination fees. This means you’ll start your project with a lower project cost. 

10-Year 7.99% Financing 

Our 10-year financing option at 7.99% gives you a decade to pay for your exterior renovation while keeping your total project cost much lower than the 2.99% alternative. The origination fees on this option are about 4.5% of your project cost, compared to roughly 15.5% for the 10-year 2.99% option—that’s an 11% difference! 

For a $50,000 project, this could mean financing around $5,500 less with the 7.99% option. Your monthly payment would be approximately $606, which is higher than the $483 payment on the 2.99% option, but you’re starting with a smaller principal amount. 

12-Year 7.99% Financing 

If you want to stretch your payments over a longer period, our 12-year option at 7.99% offers lower monthly payments while keeping the benefit of reduced upfront fees. This can make larger projects more budget-friendly. 

On a $50,000 project, your monthly payment would be about $532 with this 12-year term. The fee difference compared to the 12-year 2.99% option is still significant, typically saving you 13-16% on your project cost. 

15-Year 7.99% Financing 

For the lowest possible monthly payments with moderate fees, our 15-year 7.99% option might be the perfect fit. It extends your repayment period to 15 years, giving you even more breathing room in your budget. 

Using the same $50,000 example, a 15-year term would mean monthly payments of about $478. That’s about the same as the 10-year 2.99% option but with lower total project costs. 

The Fee Advantage: How It Adds Up 

The difference in fees between our low-interest and higher-interest options is a big deal: 

  • 10-Year 2.99% Option: About 15.5% in fees 
  • 10-Year 7.99% Option: About 4.5% in fees 
  • Fee Savings: Approximately 11% of your total project cost 

For a $50,000 project, this could save you around $5,500 upfront. But you’ll pay more in interest over time. 

When Higher-Interest Options Make Sense 

Our higher-interest financing options are beneficial if you: 

  • Plan to pay off your loan early, which can reduce the impact of higher interest costs.
  • May refinance in the future, providing more flexibility.

Zero Interest Financing Options

For many homeowners, the idea of paying any interest at all is simply unappealing. If you're among the "zero interest or nothing" crowd, you'll be pleased to know that Southwest Exteriors offers an extensive range of financing options that allow you to complete your exterior renovation without paying a single dollar in interest. 

However, it's important to understand that zero interest financing does come with certain trade-offs. The most significant is the term length—zero interest options generally have shorter repayment periods than interest-bearing loans. While our interest-bearing options extend up to 15 years, our zero interest plans typically range from as short as 3 months to a maximum of 6 years (72 months). 

This shorter timeframe means higher monthly payments compared to longer-term options. The trade-off is simple: you're compressing the same project cost into a shorter period, but eliminating all interest charges in the process. 

The other consideration with zero interest financing is that these programs typically include higher fees built into the project cost. These fees offset the lender's inability to earn interest over time. However, for homeowners committed to avoiding interest payments, this upfront cost is often seen as preferable to years of interest charges. 

Despite these considerations, our zero interest options provide tremendous value and flexibility, especially for homeowners who want to be debt-free more quickly or who have the cash flow to support higher monthly payments. 

No Payment Schedule Options: Ultimate Flexibility for Your Exterior Renovation 

If you want complete control over how and when you make payments, our no payment schedule options might be exactly what you need. These zero-interest plans let you set your own payment timeline, allowing you to pay what you want, when you want—just as long as the full balance is paid by the end of your term. 

Available Terms for No Payment Schedule Options 

You can choose from several term lengths to match your financial needs and goals: 

  • 3 months 
  • 6 months 
  • 12 months (1 year) 
  • 18 months 
  • 24 months (2 years) 

These shorter terms work well for homeowners expecting funds in the near future—such as a bonus, tax refund, or maturing investment—or for those who simply want the freedom to manage their payments on their own terms. 

How No Payment Schedule Options Work 

With these plans, you get a true "pay-as-you-wish" setup: 

  • No required monthly payments: You decide when and how much to pay. 
  • No fixed payment schedule: There’s no set timeline to follow—just your own. 
  • Complete flexibility: Make any size payment, at any time. 
  • Total control: You can pay nothing for a few months and then make larger payments later—it’s entirely up to you! 

The only requirement? Your balance must be paid in full by the end of your selected term. If the balance isn't cleared by then, the remaining amount will automatically convert to an interest-bearing loan with standard terms. 

Think of it as an interest-free bridge loan—giving you time to arrange your finances at your own pace while starting your exterior renovation right away. 

Fee Considerations: What You Need to Know 

The flexibility of no payment schedule options does come with slightly higher fees compared to our regular scheduled no-interest payment plans (see the next section). The fee increase depends on the term length, generally ranging from 0.75% to 3.25% more than scheduled payment options. 

For example: 

  • 6-month no payment schedule: About 0.75% higher fees compared to a 6-month equal payment plan. 
  • 24-month no payment schedule: Approximately 3.25% higher fees than a 24-month equal payment plan. 

For many homeowners, this small bump in fees is worth the added freedom—especially if you expect to make a few large payments rather than smaller, fixed monthly installments. 

Who Benefits Most from No Payment Schedule Options? 

These flexible financing plans are particularly popular with: 

  • Homeowners waiting on funds from bonuses, tax returns, or other investments. 
  • People who prefer managing their own payment schedules instead of sticking to fixed monthly payments. 
  • Individuals with variable income streams, like freelancers or salespeople 
  • Anyone looking to avoid being locked into a set monthly payment amount. 

If you want the freedom to pay on your own terms while avoiding interest altogether, our no payment schedule options provide an unbeatable combination of flexibility and financial control. 

Equal Payment Options: Zero Interest with Predictable Monthly Payments 

If you like the idea of regular, predictable monthly payments while avoiding interest altogether, our equal payment options could be the perfect fit. These plans break your project cost into equal monthly installments over your chosen term, giving you a clear and straightforward path to paying off your exterior renovation—without paying a single cent in interest. 

Short-Term Equal Payment Options 

Our short-term equal payment plans include: 

  • 6 months 
  • 12 months (1 year) 
  • 18 months 
  • 24 months (2 years) 

These options are ideal if you want to pay off your project quickly while still spreading the cost into manageable chunks. With terms under two years, you can enjoy a debt-free renovation in no time. 

For example, financing a $50,000 project over 12 months would mean monthly payments of about $4,167. While this is a larger monthly commitment, many homeowners love the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly when their project will be fully paid off. 

Medium-Term Equal Payment Options 

If you’re looking for a balance between manageable monthly payments and a reasonable repayment timeline, consider our medium-term options: 

  • 36 months (3 years) 
  • 48 months (4 years) 

These plans offer more affordable monthly payments while keeping you on track to become debt-free in a reasonable timeframe. The 36-month option is particularly popular for homeowners who want to complete their payments within a standard 3-year period. 

With the same $50,000 project example, a 36-month term would mean monthly payments of about $1,389—making even significant renovation projects more accessible for many households. 

Long-Term Equal Payment Options 

For the lowest possible monthly payments under our zero-interest plans, our long-term options extend to: 

  • 60 months (5 years) 
  • 72 months (6 years) 

These extended terms are great for larger projects, allowing you to enjoy big exterior upgrades without overwhelming your budget. Financing a $50,000 renovation over 72 months would result in payments of approximately $694 per month—all while paying zero interest. 

These longer terms make it possible to take on major exterior improvements while keeping your payments as manageable as other household expenses. 

The Fee Advantage: Save More with Equal Payments 

One big perk of choosing an equal payment plan is that these options typically come with lower fees than our no payment schedule plans for the same term length. By committing to regular monthly payments, you’ll save on upfront fees built into your project cost: 

  • A 6-month equal payment plan saves about 0.75% in fees compared to the 6-month no payment option. 
  • A 24-month equal payment plan saves around 3.25% in fees compared to the 24-month no payment option. 

The longer the term, the bigger the savings—making equal payment plans the most economical choice among our zero-interest options. 

Who Benefits Most from Equal Payment Options? 

These plans are especially well-suited for: 

  • Homeowners with stable monthly income: Ideal for those who prefer predictable payments. 
  • Anyone who wants to avoid interest while keeping fees low. 
  • Homeowners tackling larger projects: Offering lower monthly payments without interest charges. 
  • Budget-conscious planners: Great for those who enjoy the structure of a fixed payment schedule. 

With terms available up to 6 years, our equal payment plans make zero-interest financing accessible even for large-scale exterior renovations. You get the best of both worlds—affordable monthly payments and total savings on interest. 

Comparing Your Options: A $50,000 Project Example 

Seeing the numbers laid out can make a world of difference.  

Let's break down how different financing options affect your monthly payments and overall project cost using a $50,000 project as an example.  

Monthly Payment Breakdowns for Different Options 

To illustrate how each financing option impacts your budget, let's compare the monthly payments across the available plans: 

Low Interest Financing Options (2.99%) 

  • 10-Year Term: Approximately $483 per month 
  • 12-Year Term: Approximately $414 per month 
  • 5-Year Term: Approximately $897 per month 

Higher Interest Financing Options (7.99%) 

  • 10-Year Term: Approximately $606 per month 
  • 12-Year Term: Approximately $532 per month 
  • 15-Year Term: Approximately $478 per month 

Zero Interest Financing Options 

  • 12-Month Equal Payment Plan: Approximately $4,167 per month 
  • 36-Month Equal Payment Plan: Approximately $1,389 per month 
  • 72-Month Equal Payment Plan: Approximately $694 per month 

Total Cost Comparison Between Financing Choices 

Beyond monthly payments, it’s crucial to consider the total cost of your project under each financing option. This includes not only the payments made over time but also any fees or interest incurred: 

Financing Option 

Monthly Payment 

Total Payments 

Fees/Interest 

Total Project Cost 

10-Year 2.99% 

$483 

$57,960 

$7,960 

$57,960 

12-Year 2.99% 

$414 

$59,952 

$9,952 

$59,952 

5-Year 2.99% 

$897 

$53,820 

$3,820 

$53,820 

10-Year 7.99% 

$606 

$72,720 

$22,720 

$55,500 (lower fees) 

12-Year 7.99% 

$532 

$76,608 

$26,608 

$58,500 (lower fees) 

15-Year 7.99% 

$478 

$86,040 

$36,040 

$61,500 (lower fees) 

12-Month Zero Interest 

$4,167 

$50,000 

$0 

$50,000 

36-Month Zero Interest 

$1,389 

$50,000 

$0 

$50,000 

72-Month Zero Interest 

$694 

$50,000 

$0 

$50,000 

Key Takeaways 

  • Zero Interest Options: Ideal for homeowners who can manage higher monthly payments and want to avoid all interest and fees. 
  • Low Interest Options: Offer predictability and lower payments over time, with modest fees and minimal interest accumulation. 
  • Higher Interest Options: Best for minimizing upfront costs, particularly for those planning to pay off their loan early or expecting future refinancing opportunities. 

By understanding these payment scenarios, you can choose the financing option that aligns best with your financial goals and comfort level. The next step is to evaluate your own budget and project timeline to see which plan offers the best balance of affordability and flexibility. 

Make Your Dream Exterior Renovation a Reality with Flexible Financing 

Transforming your home’s exterior is an exciting investment, and with the right financing plan, it doesn’t have to feel like a financial burden. At Southwest Exteriors, our wide range of financing options—from low-interest plans with extended terms to zero-interest solutions with ultimate flexibility—are designed to fit almost any budget and preference. 

Whether you prefer the predictability of equal monthly payments, the freedom of a no payment schedule, or the long-term benefits of low-interest financing, we’re here to make your project as affordable and stress-free as possible. Our fast and straightforward approval process means you can get started right away—no lengthy paperwork, no appraisal needed, and no waiting weeks for a decision. 

Ready to explore your financing options and bring your vision to life? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert design consultants. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, helping you find the perfect financing plan to make your dream exterior renovation a reality.