It differs from state to state as the laws are different. Some places only require a verbal agreement while others require the owner of the car to sign authorized work agreements. For basic routine, routine being the keyword, jobs can be quoted by book hours + parts. Example, $200 in parts for brakes and pads + 2 hours of labor at $100/hr = $400 bill + tax. This is something the desk rep can give you at the time you drop off your car or when they call you. These are always estimates as things can go wrong or things that went unnoticed during inspection may need to be replaced, resulting in a higher bill. If you ever have a question, just ask. If they can't answer or don't seem professional, there are hundreds of other shops. You’re putting a lot of trust into someone working on your car, so find someone you trust. Ask friends where they take their cars.

The best thing you could do is always verbally tell them to quote you before any work is done and to contact you before any 'extra' or non-quoted work is needed. Be firm, but logical, with them if you only want a certain job done. This keeps you in control, most shops will try to swindle a few extra dollars out of you for something small like ‘wore wiper blades’ or plastic screws that ‘break’. Shops make money off parts not labor.

If you want an estimate before the shop has disassembled and seen the condition of all the parts, they'll give you a base price for a basic brake job and tell you it could be more.

If you want an exact and guaranteed price, the shop must disassemble. But if you don't like their quote, you will have to pay for their labor to disassemble and reassemble.

It differs, area-to-area: here in Ohio, any repair expected to cost $75 or more requires a written estimate, which you sign to authorize the work. IN THEORY if the charges are going to exceed the estimate, the shop is to call and get your permission for additional work/cost. Good, honest independent shops tend to comply with the law although no one is going to argue over a few bucks over the estimate. Chain operations (like tire or mufflers shops) are notorious for low estimates that turn into big bills when they find more "problems" that need to be addressed.

As said, different in different areas, but you should always get a written estimate.

They will give you an estimate of the cost before hand. Then when you go back you will pay your bill and they will also list all the other problems they found, if any at all. Then it's your decision for them to fix the other problems. If not you pay for the break job and on your dandy way

Hi there! I'm just curious about how the transaction goes when taking your car to the mechanic. Let's say I want a basic break job, would they tell me the price before doing the job? Also would they talk about some additional charges (if it's applicable) ? or would they just do the brake job and then give me the bill? Sorry if my question is a bit unclear I never really had my dad taught me these things since he's an alcoholic and moved out a few years ago. Thanks