--- title: How Contractor Financing Works | Lend Home Improvements description: One application runs through four lenders in order. See how the approval waterfall works, what your dealer portal shows, and how same-day funding happens. --- [Skip to content](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/how-it-works#main-content) [![](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-transparent.webp?width=300&height=92&name=logo-transparent.webp)Homepage](https://lendhomeimprovements.com?hsLang=en) - [How It Works](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/how-it-works) - [About](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/contact-us-1?hsLang=en) - [News](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [FAQ](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/faq?hsLang=en) - [Login](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/lhi-existing-dealer-page?hsLang=en) [Get started](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/getting-started?hsLang=en) - [How It Works](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/how-it-works) - [About](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/contact-us-1?hsLang=en) - [News](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [FAQ](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/faq?hsLang=en) - [Login](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/lhi-existing-dealer-page?hsLang=en) [Get started](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/getting-started?hsLang=en) [![](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-transparent.webp?width=300&height=92&name=logo-transparent.webp)Homepage](https://lendhomeimprovements.com?hsLang=en) - [How It Works](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/how-it-works) - [About](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/contact-us-1?hsLang=en) - [News](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [FAQ](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/faq?hsLang=en) - [Login](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/lhi-existing-dealer-page?hsLang=en) - [How It Works](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/how-it-works) - [About](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/contact-us-1?hsLang=en) - [News](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [FAQ](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/faq?hsLang=en) - [Login](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/lhi-existing-dealer-page?hsLang=en) How it works # One application, Three looks, one place to manage it all. Here is exactly what happens between the homeowner saying “can we finance it?” and the money landing in your account. ## The waterfall Your customer fills out one application. It runs down the panel in order until it finds the best available approval — you never re-key anything, and your customer fills out one form. FIRST LOOK ### Best available offer The strongest terms we can get your customer. Most applications are approved right here. SECOND LOOK ### Wider credit box Runs automatically when the first look passes, with terms built for larger tickets. FINAL LOOK ### Another set of guidelines A different credit view entirely, so the customers most contractors write off still get an answer. UNFINANCABLE ### Discuss Alternatives If the customer doesn't get an offer after the final look.  They are not financeable.   You will need to discuss other options.   ## From the kitchen table to funded 01   ### Send the application Text or email a link from your phone, or sit with the homeowner and apply together. One form covers the whole waterfall — you never re-key anything. 02   ### Instant decisions The waterfall runs on its own and decisions come back instantly. You see approved amount, term options and monthly payment for each offer in the portal. 03   ### Present one clear payment Pick the plan that fits the job and the customer. Payment factors are published up front, so your closer quotes a monthly number with confidence. 04   ### Sign digitally Loan documents are signed on the homeowner’s phone. Nothing is printed, faxed or driven back to the office. 05 ### Get funded Once the job is complete, submit your paperwork in the portal and funding is released the same day. ## Your portal, your numbers You can see the application data behind your own book, not just a decision. Track approvals by rep, by look, by month, and export whatever your ownership meeting needs. Applications \[###\] Approval rate 90% Funded $\[###\]k First look   Second look   Third look   Fourth look   Sample view — figures shown are illustrative. ## Questions dealers ask first ### What does it cost to sign up? Nothing. There is no enrollment fee and no monthly platform fee — you pay a dealer fee only on funded loans. ### How many credit checks does the homeowner get? Your customer fills out one application. Each lender in the waterfall runs its own credit check, so an application that travels the full waterfall can result in up to four. ### How long does approval take? Decisions are instant — you have an answer before you leave the kitchen table. ### What kind of work qualifies? Residential home improvement only — bath, kitchen, roofing, windows, siding, HVAC and similar trades. We do not finance solar. ### Can my whole sales team use it? Yes. Add every closer as a user and see production by rep in your portal. ### Which states do you cover? All 50 states. ## Come See our Platform in action [Become a Dealer](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/getting-started?hsLang=en)[Book a demo](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/getting-started?hsLang=en) [![](https://lendhomeimprovements.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-transparent.webp?width=300&height=92&name=logo-transparent.webp)](https://www.lendhomeimprovements.com/?hsLang=en) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026 Lend Home Improvements. All rights reserved.