Hi, I have been using a home brewed fretted fiddle for 2 years now cost of coversion is nil.and the instrument is not subjected to any
expensive, irreversable surgery.
An early forerunner of the fiddle was the viol which was fretted with gut and a special knot(very ordinary fishing slip knot).
I have fretted using black cotton but prefer light fishing cotton cord .Tune the fiddle open vs digital tuner eg Korg, set frets vs
tuner,fix frets in position with slip knot and strip of black electricians tape at back of fingerboard. check tuning each time you play as usual and adjust if needed.
Slides( bluegrass) are a little less easy but fingering is very
accurate.
Change your mind and no harm done,don't pay someone to hack your fiddle.
good luck,

mike R. (devon uk)