If you have knowledge in getting a patent, it is okay if you are the one who will apply for it however, you should know that during the application, it takes a lot of time, effort and you should have enough patience. If you do not want to experience the lengthy application process, then hiring a professional on this area is advisable.
Take note that if you hire someone, this someone is an attorney so it means that you have to spend a lot of money. Saving money is also important that is why you should know the process and the things you need when filing a patent.
Lawyers are not necessary when getting a patent. In order to obtain a patent you should ensure that your invention qualifies for the requirements needed in applying patent and you should be confident and knowledgeable in discussing all the aspects related to your invention as was discussed in https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/inventhelp article.
If you are a type of person that is not confident in speaking, it is not a problem at all. You will be used in speaking many times regarding your invention. The basic steps of getting a patent are helpful so that you will have a perspective of what are the things that will happen during the patent application.
The first thing you should do is to keep a good and complete record of your invention, the process and the improvement of your invention. Make a description, diagram or drawing that may illustrate the invention.
You should have a prototype as well because this will be the product you will be doing the test. In every test and changes the signature and date is very important and the presence of at least two reliable witnesses. Second, is to ensure that the invention you did will qualify for getting a patent. The invention should be new and will be of help in the country.
The invention should not be reproduced to the public after a year from the day of patent application. Third is to assess potential of your invention to be commercialized. It can be a good business venture for you. Approximately the application process will cost you 1500 dollars as you can find on https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/INPEX.
Be certain that before you spend more than a thousand dollars your invention should be worth and possibility of the people in buying it is high. Do a search as well, because if you have a similar product with another person your application will be denied. Lastly, prepare and file for getting a patent to the USPTO.
Upon the application, this will be the start of the very stressful but challenging part on getting the approval for patent. Not everyone who will apply gets the approval, most of the applicants will get denied for some reasons so when you get the approval it is very fulfilling on part of the inventor.