Door panel is a pita, but the rest of it is pretty simple. Sounds more like a plug than the actuator. Dig around the kick panel near the door. There will be several connectors going into the boot to the door. Ensure all are properly seated and gently tug on each wire in each connector (sometimes the pins are not properly seated in the connections).

If nothing there, THEN tackle that door panel. Look up a few videos of the removal prior to attempting.