Check if someone's already done it.

Maybe. Soldered RAM is usually permanent, but some skilled third-party services can replace the chips on certain laptops. The key is finding out if your specific model has been successfully upgraded before.

Search “replace soldered RAM [your laptop model]” on forums like Reddit or Notebookcheck. If you find a thread with photos and a service name, that’s your lead. If all you see is “it’s soldered, can’t upgrade” — they’re probably right. No point calling random repair shops without this research.

Services exist for some MacBooks and high-end Dell/HP workstations, but they’re rare. Expect to pay $200+ and lose your warranty. This is not a $50 job.