The cost of credit repair varies widely based on what level of service you need. In fact, the process can be entirely free if you repair your credit on your own online. Just be aware that the trade-off for reduced costs is more work. The more you can accomplish on your own, the less you can expect to pay and vice versa.
According to Mint.com, the average consumer pays $64 for credit repair.
There are basically three levels of service in credit repair. Each tier comes with a different range of prices. So, here is what you can expect to pay for each level of service:
- Do-it-yourself repair: Free – Less than $30
- Dispute software: $13.99 per month – $400
- Concierge repair services: $15-$90 setup + $30-$100 per month
Do-it-yourself credit repair costs
When you repair your credit on your own, the cost ranges from nominal mailing charges to completely free.
- If you use the online dispute portals offered by each credit bureau to make disputes, you should have zero costs.
- Nominal mailing charges come into play if you send your disputes through physical mail. Some experts say you often have more luck at having items removed if you make disputes with a letter. If you do so, you should send the letters via registered mail, return receipt requested. The charge for each letter would be $6.59, meaning you pay around $21 to send disputes to all three bureaus.
The cost of credit repair software
This tier of service essentially splits the difference between DIY and full-service professional repair. You get repair software that helps you make disputes on your own. What you get with each platform usually depends on the cost.
Basic credit monitoring software at the low end of price range won’t give you much. However, comprehensive credit repair software could cost upwards of $199! Especially when you’re trying to save money and fix your credit, this can feel like a lot.
Luckily, there are some mid-range options that can still help you boost your score. SmartCredit® is a great place to start. This software’s platform helps you track, build, and master your credit score starting at only $13.99 per month. For even more features, such as unlimited updates and a once-monthly, 3-bureau credit report, you can get the premium version for $19.99 per month. To learn more, check out our review of SmartCredit. Already set on giving it a try? We have a 14-day free trial of SmartCredit with your name on it.
Concierge credit repair services – the full-service experience
The final tier of credit repair involves hiring someone to do all the work for you. These Credit Repair companies do the same thing you’d do on your own. The only difference is that you have a state-licensed attorney make disputes on your behalf.
Fact: There is nothing that professional credit repair services do that you can’t do on your own.
With full-service credit repair, you authorize the service to pull your credit reports; in some cases, you pay a fee for that step. Then they review your reports to identify issues and start to make disputes on your behalf. They keep you updated on the process. The only things you usually need to do are:
- Confirm if negative items are correct or errors
- Provide copies of any documentation you have proving an error
In most cases, you pay a one-time setup fee, plus monthly fees for as long as you remain enrolled with the company. Each company offers a different range of credit-building resources in an effort to keep you enrolled as long as possible. Higher premium programs may even have specialized services to help you achieve specific credit-based goals. For instance, if you want to buy a home, they can help you become mortgage ready.
Here are some of the services that may be included in a concierge repair service:
- or 3-bureau credit monitoring
- Fraud protection / alerts
- Credit score monitoring / alerts
- Credit score simulators / credit coaching
- Housing counseling & mortgage lender referral
- ID theft insurance
- Financial coaching / education
The more of these services you roll in, the more the program costs. With that in mind, pre-mortgage credit correction services usually cost the most, because it can take a village to get your outlook ready to buy a home.
Warning: If you pay for a credit repair service, make sure the company employs state-licensed credit repair attorneys. According to the Credit Repair Organizations Act, only an attorney licensed to work in your state can make disputes for you. If a company does not have attorneys on staff, it’s more than likely a scam!
Don’t pay for more than you need
The main thing you want to avoid is paying for services you don’t need. If you’re going for a mortgage, a few hundred dollars to save tens of thousands on interest charges is worth it. But if you just want a better credit score and don’t plan on applying for a loan or new credit card in the near future, then paying for top-level service is probably overkill.
With that in mind, make sure you set your goals before you explore service providers and packages. Go for a mid-range option that will give you what you need and help you accomplish those goals!
