I am having replacement doors and windows soon. I have an unused HELOC available, 100K currently at 6.5%. Would it be better to apply for the contractors credit to get 0% interest for 2-3 years? I have a great credit score and no debt other than my mortgage and credit cards paid in full monthly. However I am concerned about the inquiry being a negative as well as the large debt 20K being added.
I’d take the zero percent. But make sure you pay it off in the required time frame or you may get charged back interest. Read the fine print. People obsess too much about their credit score. If you have a great score you will still have a great credit score.
Instead obsess about your net worth.
There are some areas of concern with a contractor 0% loan. Does the contractor pay a fee to the lender so your quote may be higher? Is the contract a deferred interest arrangement where if you are late for any payment the interest is calculated from day one? Does the setup mean that the contractor gets paid up front limiting your options to dispute the work product?