Some owners handle everything themselves, and some sign a service plan that covers the routine work. Most sit somewhere between those. The useful question is not who is capable but which repeat jobs you want to own, and what the rest costs in time, lifting, and missed refills.
Count the refills honestly
Work out how many bags of salt your softener uses over a normal month, using your own refill record or how fast the salt level drops in the brine tank. Note the bag weight, how many bags fit in one trip, and how far the store is. Add the time and vehicle use for each trip, not just the price on the bag.
Check the lifting and storage
If anyone in the house cannot lift heavy bags safely, that settles the question. Schedule delivery or choose a plan that includes it. If you carry the bags yourself, store them dry and off the floor in the garage or basement, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Ask what a delivery includes
Find out whether the driver fills the brine tank, sets the bags in a specific spot, or only drops them at the door. Ask how often delivery runs, whether you can order between scheduled trips, and what each drop costs. Confirm that the salt is the type your softener is designed to use.
Cartridge swaps and checks
Decide whether you will change any pretreatment cartridges yourself. Many owners can follow a manufacturer's steps, but that means closing the right valves, relieving pressure, and checking for leaks afterward. If you are not comfortable with that, put the cartridge swap into the service plan or the delivery visit.
Read the service plan line by line
A plan may include salt, a visit, a filter change, or only a phone line. Find out which of your repeat jobs it covers, how many visits you get, and what happens to visits you do not use. Compare that against your own refill count. If you are choosing a company in St. Louis, our St. Louis company ratings can help you build a shortlist, and you should then confirm each company's own terms before you sign.