transmission question

i have a 96 civic which is an automatic. I heard that i can change it to manual but that if i have some1 do it that it will cost about $1000+. However i have this friend who is a mechanic so do u think he and i could manage? do u recomend this? is it bad for my car? if i have him do it with no service charge how much will it still be? And if anyone has done this to there car is it worth it? I know that is a ton of questions but this has bothered me for as long as i have owned the car and i need some advice. Thnx everyone