By Watercress Financial
In today’s remodeling market, homeowners are thinking about more than just design and craftsmanship. They are also considering how a project will fit into their budget and long-term cash flow. Across industries like auto, healthcare, and even retail, flexible payment options are now standard. Consumers have grown accustomed to being offered various ways to pay, and they increasingly expect the same when investing in their homes. Contractors who don’t acknowledge this shift risk losing projects to competitors who do.
The rise of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services underscores how firmly payment flexibility has become part of everyday consumer behavior. More than 56 percent of U.S. consumers used a pay-later plan in the year ending October 2024 (eMarketer), with nearly 35 percent using it for groceries, 42 percent for clothing and accessories, and 28 percent for home furnishings.
If Americans now expect BNPL options for everyday purchases, it is no surprise they would anticipate the same flexibility when investing in home remodeling projects. An April 2025 survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 to 79 found that nearly half of adults have used a BNPL service (Forbes). Today, affordability is no longer solely about the total price; it is about structuring payments in a way that fits any household’s financial comfort.
For contractors, this shift in homeowner expectations carries meaningful implications. Presenting a $20,000 kitchen remodel as a $330 monthly payment can help homeowners see how a project fits within their household budget. It can also set a contractor apart in a competitive bidding process, where the availability of financing may influence a homeowner’s decision.
Beyond affordability, financing gives homeowners added flexibility to consider design upgrades or premium finishes that might otherwise fall outside their immediate spending plan. Industry data reflects how significant this trend has become: Fortune Business Insights projects the global BNPL market will grow from USD 37.19 billion in 2024 to USD 167.58 billion by 2032, underscoring that demand for flexible payment options is only expected to expand. Contractors who make financing a routine part of their proposals will be better positioned to meet the evolving expectations of homeowners who increasingly rely on flexible payment options.
Some remodelers hesitate to bring up financing, believing their clients can pay cash or assuming the process will be too complex. In reality, modern financing platforms are designed for ease, with simple approvals and tools that integrate seamlessly into proposals. The bottom line is that today’s homeowners expect options. By introducing financing into every proposal, contractors not only meet those expectations but also deliver a customer experience that feels modern and aligned with today’s consumer behavior. In a world where payment flexibility has become standard in nearly every other industry, offering it in remodeling is no longer optional—it is essential.
Click here to see how Watercress Financial empowers contractors to meet modern homeowner expectations with easy, flexible financing solutions.
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