Get two prices for the same job

Ask the contractor for the cash price, financed purchase price, any price difference, and the reason for that difference. Check whether a discount disappears, a fee is added, or an optional item was added at the same time. Keep conditional rebates and incentives separate.

There may be a legitimate explanation, but the explanation must be visible. Do not assume an increase proves wrongdoing or that a dealer's financing cost always explains it. The actual proposal and lender documents govern your offer.

Compare what you will repay

Ask for the amount financed, interest rate, annual percentage rate (APR), required fees, payment schedule, total scheduled payments, and any balance due at the end. APR expresses borrowing cost as a yearly rate and can include fees beyond the stated interest rate. Its exact application depends on the credit product. CFPB interest-rate and APR explanation.

A longer repayment period can make the payment easier to manage while changing total interest paid. Ask the lender to show the total for the exact offer. Do not compare two payment amounts without also comparing term length and full repayment.

Read a promotional offer carefully

“No interest if paid in full” can describe deferred interest. If its conditions are not met, interest can be charged back to the original purchase date. Minimum payments may not pay off the purchase before the promotion ends. That differs from simply paying no interest during an ordinary zero-percent period. CFPB deferred-interest guidance.

Ask what happens with late payments, early payoff, a remaining promotional balance, or a changed installation schedule. Do not sign based on a verbal summary when the documents say something else.

Keep the equipment decision in view

Financing should help you pay for justified work. It should not make an unexplained replacement recommendation easier to overlook. First confirm what the project addresses and whether a viable repair or smaller project fits the findings.

If the financed total is higher, compare it with an outside credit option on the same amount and term where appropriate. An independent financial or contract adviser can help with terms you do not understand. No particular lender, approval outcome, or offer is established here.

Your next step is to request a written cash-versus-financed comparison and the actual credit disclosures. Keep the project price, borrowing cost, and household payment limit visible together.