Ways to pay
Financing & rent-to-own
Most of our buildings leave on a payment plan, not a check. There are two routes: rent-to-own with no credit check, or bank financing at a lower rate. Here is how each one works.
Rent-to-own
No credit check. You make a first payment at delivery, then a fixed monthly amount. Pay it off early for a discount, or return the building and walk away.
- 1
Choose your building
Same catalog, same prices. Pick the size, roof, doors, and colors you want.
- 2
Pay at delivery
A first payment (usually the equivalent of the first and last month) is due when the crew sets the building.
- 3
Pay monthly, own it at the end
Fixed payments over a 24 to 48 month term. Pay the balance early anytime for an early-payoff discount, and the title is yours.
Rent-to-own is month-to-month: if your situation changes, you can call the provider to pick the building up, and you are not on the hook for the rest of the term. Because there is no credit check and no interest rate, the total you pay over a full term is higher than paying cash — the trade is approval for almost everyone and the freedom to stop.
Financing
A fixed installment loan through American Steel's lending partner. A credit check applies, and the rate is far lower than rent-to-own.
APR starts as low as 9.99% for well-qualified buyers, with terms up to roughly 60 months. You apply online in a few minutes and usually get a decision on the spot. If approved, the building is yours at delivery and you make one fixed payment a month to the lender.
What you need to apply
- A valid government photo ID
- Verifiable income
- A checking account and routing number
- The quote from us with the building total
Which one is right for you?
| Rent-to-own | Financing | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit check | No | Yes |
| Best for | Bad or no credit, want the option to stop | Good credit, want the lowest total cost |
| Term | 24–48 months | Up to ~60 months |
| Interest | None (built into the payments) | APR from 9.99% |
| Own it | End of term, or early payoff discount | On approval, at delivery |
| Return it | Anytime, month-to-month | No |
Rent-to-own and financing are provided by third parties. Approval, terms, rates, and availability are set by those providers and can change. Ask us for current program details before you order.
Paying for the site work
The building and the ground under it are two different invoices. Worth knowing before you budget.
Rent-to-own and the lender's installment loan cover the building itself — that contract is with the manufacturer and its finance partners. Dirt work, retaining walls, concrete, wiring, and interior finishing are our work, quoted and invoiced separately, usually in draws as the job hits its stages.
We give you both numbers at the same time so there's no surprise after the shell is standing, and we'll tell you which parts of the site work can wait a season without hurting anything. See site prep & groundwork for what's in that scope.
- Building: rent-to-own or lender financing
- Site work and concrete: quoted and paid separately
- Interior finishing: quoted separately, can be phased
- Both numbers come back with the same quote
- Some site work can be deferred; drainage usually shouldn't be
What affects your price
Two carports the same length can be hundreds of dollars apart. These are the levers.
- Footprint: width and length
- Leg height: taller frames use more steel
- Frame gauge: 14-gauge standard vs 12-gauge certified
- Roof style: regular, boxed-eave, or vertical
- How much you close in: ends, sides, gables
- Doors and windows: roll-up, walk, sliders
- Insulation and wainscot
- Delivery distance and site condition
- Site work: grading, walls, concrete, and drainage
Questions we get a lot
Is there a minimum down payment?
Rent-to-own asks for a first payment at delivery, typically the first and last month. Financing may require little or nothing down depending on approval. We'll show you the exact numbers with your quote.
Does rent-to-own cost more overall?
Yes. With no credit check and no stated interest rate, the sum of the payments over a full term is more than the cash price. You're paying for guaranteed approval and the option to return it. Early payoff cuts that cost.
Can I pay it off early?
On both plans, yes. Rent-to-own has a set early-payoff discount. Financing has no prepayment penalty.
Do you run my credit for rent-to-own?
No. Rent-to-own has no credit check at all.
Who do I make payments to?
To the rent-to-own company or the lender directly, not to us. We help you get it set up and then step out of the billing.
Get a quote with payment options
Tell us the building you want. Your quote comes back with the cash price, an estimated rent-to-own payment, and a financed payment side by side.