AC compressor

[My01yuk]

I need to replace my AC compressor before the summer rolls around. I have been told the compressor part of it can be done at home meaning i would not neccessarily need to have a mechanic do it. The freon charge would have to be done at the shop i know. Anyone done this and care to confirm that it can be done at home. I have a guy that works at a shop that has done some other work for me at his house(power steering pump, belts etc) and he said it would have to be done at his shop. When I told him several people have told me it can be done at home and that a co-worker replaced his son's compressor himself, he came back and said he could do it at home and then would need to take it to have a vacuum pulled on and then recharged.