Introduction

Your credit score affects nearly every financial decision you make — from qualifying for a mortgage to the interest rate on your car loan. The good news is that credit repair is something anyone can do, and you don't need to pay someone else to do it for you.

In this guide, we'll walk through the key steps to repairing your credit score, whether you're recovering from a rough patch or just want to push your score higher.

Understanding Your Credit Score

Before diving into repairs, it helps to know what makes up your score. The most widely used scoring model, FICO, weighs five factors:

  • Payment history (35%) — Whether you've paid on time
  • Amounts owed (30%) — How much of your available credit you're using
  • Length of credit history (15%) — How long your accounts have been open
  • Credit mix (10%) — The variety of accounts (cards, loans, mortgage)
  • New credit (10%) — Recent applications and new accounts

Knowing where you stand in each category helps you focus your efforts where they'll matter most.

Step 1 — Pull Your Credit Reports

Start by getting a copy of your credit report from all three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can request free copies once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Review each report carefully. Look for:

  • Accounts you don't recognize
  • Late payments that were actually on time
  • Incorrect balances or credit limits
  • Accounts that should be closed but show as open
  • Duplicate entries for the same debt

Even small errors can drag your score down, so take the time to go through every line.

Step 2 — Dispute Inaccurate Information

If you find errors on your report, file a dispute with the credit bureau reporting the incorrect information. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond.

When filing a dispute, include:

  • Your full name, address, and Social Security number
  • The specific item you're disputing and why
  • Supporting documentation (receipts, bank statements, correspondence)

If the bureau can't verify the information, they're required to remove it. This alone can sometimes result in a meaningful score increase.

Step 3 — Pay Down Outstanding Balances

Your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of available credit you're using — is one of the biggest factors in your score. Most experts recommend keeping utilization below 30%, but lower is better.

If you're carrying balances on multiple cards, consider these approaches:

  • Avalanche method: Pay off the card with the highest interest rate first
  • Snowball method: Pay off the smallest balance first for quick wins
  • Balance transfer: Move high-interest debt to a lower-rate card

Even making a small extra payment each month can help bring your utilization down faster.

Step 4 — Build Positive Payment History

Since payment history makes up the largest portion of your score, establishing a consistent track record of on-time payments is essential.

Some practical tips:

  • Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment on every account
  • Use calendar reminders a few days before due dates
  • If you've missed payments, get current as quickly as possible — the impact of a late payment decreases over time
  • Consider a secured credit card if you need to build from scratch

It takes time, but every on-time payment counts in your favor.

Step 5 — Be Strategic About New Credit

Each time you apply for credit, the lender performs a hard inquiry on your report. Too many inquiries in a short period can lower your score.

Be strategic:

  • Only apply for credit you actually need
  • When shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, submit all applications within a 14-day window — scoring models treat these as a single inquiry
  • Avoid opening store credit cards just for a discount

On the other hand, having a healthy mix of account types (revolving credit and installment loans) can work in your favor over time.

Step 6 — Monitor Your Progress

Credit repair doesn't happen overnight. Expect gradual improvement over several months as positive changes work their way into your score.

Keep track of your progress by:

  • Checking your score monthly through your bank or a free monitoring service
  • Reviewing your credit reports at least once per quarter
  • Setting specific goals (e.g., "Get below 30% utilization by June")

If you're working with clients on their credit repair journey, a CRM with built-in progress tracking can make this process much more manageable — for both you and your clients.

Conclusion

Repairing your credit score comes down to a handful of consistent habits: review your reports, dispute errors, pay down balances, and make every payment on time. There are no shortcuts, but the fundamentals work.

Whether you're fixing your own credit or helping clients improve theirs, the process is the same. Start with the basics, stay consistent, and the results will follow.