DIY vs Attorney: Trademark Filing Cost Comparison
Compare the costs, risks, and benefits of filing your trademark yourself versus hiring an attorney.
Your Situation
DIY Filing
File it yourself via TEAS
Total Cost
$250
TEAS Plus filing fee
Estimated Time Investment
5-15 hours
Research, filing, monitoring
Rejection Risk
What You Get
- ✓ Full control over the process
- ✓ Lowest upfront cost
- ✓ Learn the trademark process
- ✗ No legal guidance on conflicts
- ✗ Must handle office actions yourself
- ✗ Higher risk of costly mistakes
With Attorney
Professional trademark filing
Total Cost
$1,000
Filing fee + attorney fee
Your Time Investment
2-4 hours
Initial consultation + review
Rejection Risk
What You Get
- ✓ Comprehensive trademark search
- ✓ Properly drafted application
- ✓ Office action response included
- ✓ Legal advice on registrability
- ✓ Monitoring and deadline management
- ✗ Higher upfront cost
Our Recommendation
The Hidden Cost of Rejection
If your application is rejected, you may need to:
$500-$2,000
Attorney to respond to office action
3-6 months
Additional delay
$250-$350
New filing fee if abandoned
Updated March 2026 | Based on industry averages