I refilled my A/C a couple of times a year, then it got to where it would only work for a couple of weeks.

At that time I decided to do mine and am satisfied with the decision to do it. Including ALL efforts (web and book study/research, writing out a plan, finding, ordering and running for parts, the work itself, finding and re+nting an evacuation pump, etc), it took the equivalent of 4 days. Much of this time you will not be able to use the car, so plan for that. By working methodically and not rushing things I avoided breaking anything (such as plastic parts). Carefully label things as you pull them out. One of my sons worked with me through the entire job.

The posted instructions referred to are a very good starting point. You do need the TORX bits and the spring clip removers.

You need to remove the entire dash and climate control unit. There is no other way. You will be able to clean/inspect the plenum and heater core at the same time.

If other A/C parts prove to be bad you will be able to get access to them without removing the dash - unless it is a bad compressor which has sprayed metal fragments or other contamination throughout the system.

The issue of bending the lines on the evaporator was not so difficult - see some previous posts (including some with my name) on this issue. The evap is a durable aluminum part.

Not long ago a posted on a couple of things I ran into that you might watch for.

There is one more item I had not mentioned - there is a very large red connector (at least on the 850) which is the main connector for the dash functions - it swings open on a hinge. It was very hard to remove the retainer clip on this and I damaged the clip some. The connector did not want to stay together when reassembled, resulting in appearance of a number of check engine codes and erratic running. I secured this with a nylon wire tie and it is still ok (about 4000 miles later).

All told, the decision would depend on what your time is worth.