Don’t know how old you are but it is kind of fun to learn. Doing mechanic work on your own can be a lot of fun, sometimes aggravating but you get a lot of experience and first hand knowledge. There were times when I was working 12 hour days at the plant I didn’t have time to do my own work so I relied on auto shops to do my work. Most of them are shysters, there are a few good ones but most of them are just part changers and really know very little. Most of them are on commission and the more they find “wrong” the more money they make, even if the work isn’t needed. Dealerships included, they are just as dishonest like many independents.
When you don’t have the mechanical aptitude (I don’t), then you risk doing irreparable damage in the process of learning. I could junk the whole car just by a careless mistake. I can change oil, some bolt-on components, like starters and alternators, and can gap and change spark plugs, but that’s about it. When it comes to engine and body structure, I’m an accident waiting to happen.
In this regard, it’s a LOT cheaper just to find someone with years/decades of experience in this type of work.