It really is the best way.... and you'll save a fortune! Research the job to do online and even ask questions. make sure you have all the tools, and don't start something unless you feel confident you can finish it. Removing prop and replacing VCU and bearings is quite a simple job with simple tools- even a simple person can do it!

If you do the job you will take more care than a garage would. When I do anything is takes a long time because I clean and restore whatever I remove or get access to as I do the job. A garage will just do as asked in the quickest way possible...
And when it's done you can beat your chest in a manly way and say 'I did that!' Then run indoors for a hot cuppa....
Even the 'test drive paranoia' goes away after you've done a few jobs yourself...
Tomorrow I am biting the bullet and changing my aux belts and bearings. I tried to find a garage to do it knowing it was a pig of a job but nobody wanted to actually do the job. Problem is that the centre 24mm nut on the tensioner is loose so I can;t move it with a spanner. I got a perfect 2ft piece of flat steel bar with holes in to put a suitable bolt so I can fit it in the hole in the centre of the 24mm nut and use the thing as a lever. This should make detensioning a piece of ****. I decided I really must do it myself as I would need to do it if the alternator went which happens a lot on 4x4s that go near water or mud in my experience. I can also test the waterpump and other bits for bearing noise while the belt is off if I do it myself.