Credit repair is a sizable industry with millions of customers across the US. These companies help citizens improve their status by correcting reporting errors. On average, one in five Americans have unfair credit scores, and many of them enlist the help of professionals. But which provider is the best for your needs?

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Do You Confuse Repair with Rebuilding

These are two ways to boost your score, but the former only works if your reports are erroneous. There is no opportunity to delete accurate formation until it expires. If your history mentions negative events, most of them will stay there for seven years. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is an exception, as it tarnishes the score for a decade.

Meanwhile, you may use many alternative methods to boost the total. This includes making payments on time, using less of one’s credit limits, adding data through Experian Boost, etc. To formulate a strategy, consider the components of the calculation. For example, FICO assesses your payments, the total amount owed, the age of the borrowing history, new accounts, and credit mix. 

If you are sure your score has dropped for no objective reason, you may have solid grounds for correction. According to the Credit Repair Partner reviews, seven of the most popular companies can be counted on. Your choice should depend on the situation — i.e., how many errors you want to eliminate and what extra services you need. In basic cases, it is possible to repair your own credit — of course, if you have enough time to collect evidence and initiate formal disputes.

What Is the Best Value for Money?

On the one hand, you need a reliable firm with competent experts — ideally, certified by financial organizations. On the other hand, you should make sure you will not be paying for unnecessary add-ons. To do this, you should look at the pricing policy. 

Most repair businesses divide their services into bundles. The cheapest package may be limited to the bare essentials — report analysis, evidence collection, and disputes. The number of errors you can challenge per billing cycle will also vary — for example, your plan may allow five disputes per bureau per month.

5 Top Criteria

Never make decisions based on one factor. A company with attractive pricing may have low ratings and devastating feedback. Here are five revealing characteristics.

1. Reputation

Some of the most popular providers have been in business for 10+ years. These are well-established companies, and you can find full details of their status on the website of Better Business Bureau. The absence of accreditation is not a red flag, but complaints from customers could be. 

The system shows the number of negative comments over the past three years and the past 12 months. You can see if the company responds to bad feedback and solves the issues mentioned. The system will notify you of any pending lawsuits against the company. At the moment, such alerts are displayed on the profile of Lexington Law.

2. Pricing Models

Compare different plans according to your needs. Take the cheapest option to have a few derogatories removed. If you want unlimited disputes with identity theft protection, score monitoring, TransUnion alerts, and other extras, you will probably need to pay for a premium package.

Pay attention to the first work fee, too. Also known as the setup fee, it is charged at the beginning. This amount may be equal to the monthly fee or different. Some providers do not charge it at all. This is an important advantage. A free initial consultation is another benefit.

3. Additional Services

Are you being harassed by collection agencies? Cease and desist letters will stop the pressure. The fixer will do this for you if it is part of the plan. They may also send other types of correspondence, such as goodwill letters to your lender. 

Some repair businesses give access to a special credit line. It allows you to rebuild history as well — this way, you can work on both fronts. Many providers have free educational resources that help to boost financial literacy.

4. Customer Support

All reputable companies are easy to reach. They provide support on weekdays and during shorter hours on weekends. You may have access to a live chat, and progress is usually monitored via a web portal. Some companies have their own apps, so updated information is always on hand.

5. Refund Policy

Most providers stick to the 90-day policy that is voided by one change to your reports. If the company fails to achieve any result within the period, you may get a refund. Sky Blue Credit Repair is an exception, as its policy is non-conditional. Clients can get their money back for any reason. 

In comparison, Credit Saint has stringent conditions for refunds. If new derogatories appear on your reports over the first 90 days, if you do not make timely payments or fail to provide proof of identity, you lose this right.
 

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There Are No Guarantees

Consumers should understand that repair is not an exact science. Your chances of success are higher with hired experts, but the provider will never guarantee a specific increase by a certain deadline. Compare the companies' status, reputation, support, services, pricing, and refund policies. This way, you will make an informed decision to achieve the best results.