Have 1.8 hubcarriers waiting to go on to do the brake swap on my 1.5 but I want to change the bearings in them. I know these require a press but is there any way to do it at home without one? Or should I just hunt around for somebody with a press to do them for me?

Press is the best way ever!
You can try with big hammer and some pieces of round/tubular metal to force it out, but the new bearing should go in without any stress (hiting with hammer)
That's why press is the best way.