Top Home Improvement Credit Cards (Cashback Rewards)
Many of the top banks and credit card companies are now offering rewards cards that give points (e.g., cash back) on every home improvement purchase. For the home improvement professional and the avid do-it-yourselfer, many of these cards make a compelling case to be the card in your wallet for home improvement and even everyday purchases. Here’s the run down of the 4 best credit cards for home improvers in the order we like them best:
First up is the Chase Home Improvement Rewards Visa Card. Chase’s home improvement card gives 3% cash back on home improvement purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases. The card features a 0% APR and 0% Balance Transfer option for 6 months (although fees apply to the balance transfer). At 3% cash back with a high limit (up to $10,000 in home improvement purchases), the Chase card is the #1 contender for your wallet’s top spot. The only notable drawback is a limited number of store categories that qualify… But have no fear, Home Depot, Lowes, and most other big box home improvement stores are covered.
Second up is the Bank of America Home Advantage Card. BOA’s home improvement rewards card offers up to 2% cash back on home improvement and related purchases for a 12 month introductory period. While 2% is a full 50% less than Chase’s offering, the BOA card offers more store categories that qualify for the increased discount. All other purchases qualify for 1% back, and the whole card reverts to 1% cash back after the introductory period. BOA also offers a 0% balance transfer option, pushing this card to the #2 spot.
Third up is Discover’s More Rewards Card. Discover offers up to 5% back on home improvement for three months every year (historically in the Spring). In the past, the reward has been limited to 5% back on the first $400 in purchases, making the total amount you can earn only $20. Discover rotates their 5% back program every 3 months, offering up to 5% back on other categories like gas, restaurants, travel, etc. All other purchases qualify for 1% back, and Discover also offers balance transfer and introductory purchase APR incentives.
Fourth and finally is the Chase Business Platinum Card. Chase Business offers 3% back on home improvement, restaurants, gas, hardware, and more. The drawback: you have to be a business to qualify for the card. While anyone can be a sole proprietorship and apply with only a social security number, you have to sign an agreement that all purchases made on the card will be business purchases. This card is the best card for landlords, construction companies, and real estate investors, but its a pass for most DIYers.
What do you think? So really… what’s in your wallet?
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December 15th, 2008 2:38 pm
[...] trade and to tackle those renovation projects you’ve been putting off. Here are a few of the top home improvement credit cards [...]