Credit Repair
DIY Credit Repair vs. Hiring a Credit Repair Company
You can fix credit report errors yourself for free. So when does it make sense to hire help? An honest comparison.
Here's something some credit repair companies won't tell you: you can dispute errors on your credit report yourself, for free. So why do so many people hire a professional? It comes down to time, organization and follow-through. Here's an honest look at both paths.
What DIY credit repair looks like
- Pull your reports from all three bureaus.
- Review every account, collection and inquiry for errors.
- Gather documentation.
- Send disputes to each bureau (and sometimes the creditor).
- Track 30- to 45-day response windows for each dispute.
- Review results and send follow-up disputes with more evidence.
Pros: it's free and you're in full control. Cons: it takes time, organization and persistence, especially across three bureaus and multiple rounds.
What a credit repair company does
A legitimate credit repair company handles the same process for you: reviewing all three reports, identifying items that appear inaccurate or unverifiable, preparing and sending disputes, tracking deadlines and responses, and running additional rounds. Good companies also coach you on habits like lowering utilization.
Pros: saves time, experienced eyes on your reports, consistent follow-up. Cons: monthly fees, plus you'll usually pay for credit monitoring.
Side-by-side comparison
| Do it yourself | Credit repair company | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Monthly service fee |
| Your time | Several hours per round | Minimal |
| Tracking deadlines | On you | Handled for you |
| Can remove accurate items? | No | No |
| Best for | A few clear errors | Many items, or no time |
Your rights when you hire a company
The federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) requires credit repair companies to:
- Give you a written contract with the services and total cost.
- Give you a written statement of your rights before you sign.
- Let you cancel within three business days without penalty.
- Not charge you before the services are performed.
Credit repair scam red flags
- Demands payment before doing any work.
- Promises to remove accurate negative information.
- Tells you not to contact the credit bureaus yourself.
- Suggests disputing everything, even accurate items.
- Offers a "CPN" or new credit identity. That's illegal.
Is credit repair worth it?
If you have one or two obvious errors, DIY is often enough. Start with how to read your credit report. If you have many negative items across three bureaus, a big purchase coming up, or simply no time to manage the process, professional help can be worth it.
How 30 Day Credit Pros works
We review your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion reports, dispute items that appear inaccurate or unverifiable, track every response, and keep you updated. Our work is backed by a 150-point warranty; read the warranty terms for details. The best way to decide is a free credit assessment: we'll show you what's on your reports and whether our service makes sense for you.
Not sure which items on your reports are worth disputing? Our team will go over all three reports with you for free.
Get a Free Credit AssessmentFrequently asked questions
Can I repair my credit myself?
Yes. You can dispute inaccurate information with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for free.
Is credit repair worth the money?
It can be if you have many items to review, a big purchase coming up, or not enough time to manage disputes and follow-ups yourself.
Can a credit repair company remove accurate information?
No. Neither you nor a company can legally remove accurate, current information just because it's negative.
Can I cancel a credit repair contract?
Yes. Federal law gives you at least three business days to cancel without penalty.