The best credit card for home improvement is the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card. It's a rewards card that earns bonus Scene+ points at Home Hardware stores, making it a huge help when purchasing supplies for your renovation project.
In this article, we list your options for the best credit cards for home improvement purchases, highlight a few top hardware store-branded credit cards, and offer alternative funding ideas.
Key Takeaways
- The best card to use for home improvement projects is a rewards card, the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card.
- You can use credit cards that offer increased earn rates for home improvement stores to help fund your renovations.
- Store-branded credit cards may offer short-term financing for projects.
- Consider other options, like personal loans, lines of credit, and gift cards to pay for your home improvement plans.
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Best credit cards for home improvement
You've got some solid options when it comes to shopping at hardware stores. Take a look at your best choices.
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card | $0 | * 2 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, Home Hardware, and Cineplex * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | 5,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn More |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | * 2% cash back on purchases in up to 3 Money-Back Categories * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases |  $75 GeniusCash + 10% extra cash back for the first 2 months (terms) | Learn More |
| SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express | $119.88 | * 4% cash back on gas and groceries * 2% cash back on all other purchases | 10% cash back for the first 3 months + $50 (terms) | Learn More |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | $0 | * 4% CT Money at Canadian Tire stores * 3% CT Money on grocery store purchases * 1% CT Money on all other purchases * Collect 5 cents CT Money per liter on reg/mid grade fuel, or 7 cents on premium fuel at Gas+ and Husky stations | None | Learn More |
| Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | $0 | * Earn 2% cash back on all eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido, Comwave, or Shaw * Earn 3% cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars * Otherwise, earn 1.5% cash back on eligible non-U.S. dollar purchases | None | Learn More |
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
The Scene+ rewards program is one of the most valuable loyalty programs in Canada, and the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card earns you 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Home Hardware (along with Sobeys, Safeway, and Cineplex). When you're ready to redeem your points, put them towards travel, movie tickets and concessions, restaurants, merchandise, and gift cards.
Pros:
- High earn rate at Home Hardware
- 4 high-value ways to redeem points
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Limited insurance
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
×2 Award winner 
GC: $75
2x Award winner One of the best credit cards for home improvement is a no fee card – the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. You pick 2 categories (or 3 if you use a Tangerine Savings Account) that earn unlimited 2% cash back – and home improvement happens to be one of the options. Plus, all non-category purchases earn 0.5% back.
Pros:
- Choose your own high-earning categories
- Excellent welcome bonus
- Cash back deposited monthly
Cons:
- Low base earn rate
SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express
If you want to earn a high flat rate on everything, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express is the cash back card for you – in fact, it's one of the very best cash back options in Canada. You'll earn a simple 2% cash back everywhere you shop with no caps or limits on how much you can earn back. This includes hardware stores, which means you'll be rewarded for those home reno supply purchases.
If you're worried about Amex acceptance, it's much better than you think. All major home improvement stores in Canada accept American Express cards.
Pros:
- High earn rates
- Excellent welcome bonus
- 10 types of insurance
Cons:
- Cash back only paid once per year
Triangle World Elite Mastercard
If Canadian Tire is your go-to for home improvement supplies, check out the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. You'll earn 4% CT Money on your Canadian Tire purchases, and 3% or 1% on grocery and all other purchases, respectively. Head to Gas+ and Husky stations for your fill-ups and earn 5 cents (in CT money) per litre back on mid-grade fuel and 7 cents on premium.
Pros:
- Up to 4% back on purchases
- Free roadside assistance
- No annual fee
Cons:
- High income requirements
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard
The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is a flat-rate credit card that's earned several titles in 2026, including Canada's best Costco card, best no-fee card, and best no-fee travel card. Cardholders can redeem their cash back at any time, and this card's World Elite Mastercard benefits include great travel insurance and a Mastercard Travel Pass membership.
Pros:
- High earn rates
- Extra benefits for Rogers, Fido, and Shaw customers
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
Best store credit cards for home improvement
Some of the major home improvement stores offer their own credit cards, but we don't actively recommend these. The features and benefits are minimal, and interest rates can be extremely high.
You should have all the information, though, in order to make the best choice, so here is what these cards have to offer:
| Credit Card | Special Features | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot card | * Deferred interest on purchases of $299 or more * No annual fee | Learn more |
| Rona or Castle Building Centres Flexiti card | * Split up payments over $300 into installments and pay no interest * Equal monthly payment or deferred payment plans available | Learn more |
| Timber Mart Card | * 3 months no payment financing | Learn more |
Home Depot
The Home Depot credit card offers deferred interest on any purchase greater than $299 at Home Depot stores.
As long as you meet your payment obligations, you won't be charged interest for 6 months on your purchase. However, if you fail to make even 1 payment, or you don't finish paying for your purchase, you'll be subjected to the card's standard interest rate. This card has no annual fee.
Home Depot also offers the Home Depot Project Loan Card, which offers 0% interest for 3 months, then you can either pay your whole balance with no penalty or continue with rates as low as 7.99%.
Rona or Castle Flexiti card
Apply for a Flexiti card that you can use with dozens of merchants, including Rona and Castle Building Centres. Use the Rona card for a $300+ purchase, and you'll enjoy no interest for 18 months or low 4.99% interest for 36 months.
You may also have access to installment plan options, another way to spread out your home renovation costs so you're not paying such a large sum all at once.
Timber Mart credit card
Use the Timber Mart credit card for a $299+ purchase, and you won't have to make any payments for the first 3 months. Interest does accrue, but if you pay off the purchase before the end of this term, the interest is waived.
You'll want to pay it off as soon as possible, as the interest is a shocking 29.99%.
How to choose the best home improvement credit card
If you're loyal to a particular home hardware store, you might be inclined to pick their branded credit card. But before you do, consider important details like your timeline, your budget, and the cards' interest rates:
- Determine how much money you need for your project: If you're applying for a card, you want to know that you'll have a credit limit high enough to meet your needs.
- Come up with a project timeline: Project credit cards often have shorter periods when interest isn't being charged, so you'll want a card with a long enough interest-free financing period to complete your project.
- Compare welcome bonuses: Splurge on a premium credit card, and you might just get a big enough welcome bonus to give yourself a big discount on your home renovation project.
- Choose a card with low interest rates if you know you can't pay off the balance right away: Ideally, you'll pay off the credit card before interest starts being charged. But if you think you'll carry a balance, you'll want a card with a low interest rate.
- Read each credit card's fine print: Some project credit cards have conditions about interest-free promotions. If you miss payments or don't repay the entire balance, you might face higher interest rates or hefty fees.
Alternatives to home improvement credit cards
A few alternatives to home improvement credit cards include personal loans, lines of credit, gift cards, and more:
- A personal loan: Work with any bank or credit union to take out a personal loan that you repay in installments.
- A line of credit: Lines of credit are similar to personal loans, but it's revolving credit. You can make purchases up to a limit and repay only what you actually used.
- A home equity line of credit (HELOC): To get a HELOC, you borrow against the equity you've built up in your home.
- A home improvement store gift card: If your credit card offers increased earn rates (like 5x back at grocery stores), work around the category restrictions to buy gift cards you can use at your hardware store of choice.
FAQ
What is the best credit card for home improvements?
The best home improvement credit card depends on where you prefer to shop, the scope of your project, and your personal finance needs. However, we think the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card earns bonus Scene+ points at Home Hardware, making it a valuable choice.
What is the $7,500 home renovation credit in Canada?
The Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC) is a refundable tax credit for seniors or Canadians who are eligible for the disability tax credit. The MHRTC provides up to $7,500 in credit for renovating a self-contained secondary housing unit.
Which home improvement store has the best credit card?
The Home Depot Project Loan Card is probably the best home improvement store credit card, but we recommend going with a rewards or cash back card instead – choosing a card that offers high returns on home improvement supplies is a much more valuable choice. Then you'll have a better all-around credit card you can keep using for other purchases.
Is the Home Depot credit card in Canada a good choice?
The Home Depot Project Loan Card can be a good card, as long as you have the funds to make payments during the promo period – if you make your payments, you won't be charged for 6 months. That said, it's still a good idea to check out all credit card options for your renovation financing.
How can I save money on my home renovation?
To save on your home renovation, start by creating a budget that covers every aspect of your project so you know exactly how much funding you need. If you can, save costs by sourcing materials second-hand or breaking up your project timeline so you can pay for the project in stages.
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