If you've never done it before, you can also try to repair your car's transmission by yourself. Chances are you're not going to drive your car for a while. And there will be a big mess in the garage.

And if you've never done it before, you can try to repair your own credit report. But, But as is the case with many repair jobs, using the trial-and-error method could make things much worse, not better. You only have one credit history, and if you burn that, it may be years before you can get the mess cleaned up. You may even find yourself getting sued in the process.

Think how much sooner you can be enjoying great cookies with an expert baker walking you through the process. And how much better those transmission repairs would be with a master mechanic digging into the internal workings instead of you being the one with grease under your fingernails. The difference will probably be significant enough that you would gladly spend a few dollars knowing that the time you save and the results you receive will make it worth it in the end.

So while many would have you believe repairing your credit is so simple a caveman could do it, correcting your credit report can actually have as many complexities as reassembling your transmission. There's much more involved than just mailing a few letters or submitting a form online.

Law firms specializing in credit correction understand the credit repair process, know what to say and how to say it, and have experiencing using the credit repair tactics most people aren't even aware exist. For the inexperienced, making a single improper statement can result in your dispute being dismissed which can delay your credit repair efforts by months. Working with someone who can lead you through all the tricks and traps might even help shorten the time it takes to get results.

Be wary of the phrase "There's nothing a credit repair firm can do for you that you can't do yourself for free." While technically accurate, it is very misleading. There is also nothing a baker or a mechanic can do for you that you can't do for yourself, if you have the time and energy to master the same skills and knowledge.

Also, as anyone can tell you, there are good and bad chefs out there. There are good mechanics, and scam artists with wrenches. The credit repair world is full of vultures, too. But there are also solid, established, consumer-focused law firms whose counsel can be valuable. And they can keep you from making a mess too tough to clean up.