it's really quite easy to change the pads on disc brakes. normally there is only one nut/bolt you have to remove and then the caliper swings up so you can access the pads.

if you have done any minor maintenence(plugs, oil change, etc) then this is in your realm. you should have a manual, Haynes is good for this, just to check out pics and get familiar with it. only special tools you would need is a somewhat large c-clamp and a turkey baster to pull some of the fluid out of resevoir as to not have it spill out when you use the clamp.



unless you allow the pads to wear to the point that the backings grind into the rotor, I wouldn't worry about that nor would I have them turned. tho you should deglaze them with a very fine grit sandpaper and clean the surface with denatured alcohol.

I think you'll be pleasantly suprised how simple the procedure can be. when you compare how much you pay for a set of pads vs how much the bill from a shop would be, its a small amount of work for a significant savings.
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good luck.