Brake service costs will vary greatly depending on the shop rate where you take your vehicle, your make and model, and parts availability. Shop rates vary from $45 an hour to more than $100 dollars an hour depending on where you live. Imports and luxury cars also generally cost more to fix. Parts for some models are available only from dealerships, making your repair much more costly.
There is a labor guide that tells the shop how long each job should take. The shop rate is multiplied by this factor to get the cost of your repair. Usually, brake service is in the 1- to 1.5-hour range. Your labor cost should be about 1 to 1.5 times the shop rate, plus parts. There may also be a rotor machining fee and other associated costs.
Shop around for the best shop labor rates in your area and ask around at local auto parts stores to see which shops they would recommend. Parts professionals often know the mechanics and shops well and will usually point you in the direction of a reputable and economical shop. Price parts before you go, knowing you will pay a premium over what you would pay for parts to do the work yourself when purchasing them from a shop.
