Yes, for the amount of repairs they should have presented a written estimate BEFORE proceeding with the work. Most reputable shops do this. Legally, the final repair cost should be within 5-10% of the estimate. The OP may want to contact the state attorney general. If they didn't get approval the OP may have legal grounds to challenge the repair.

A while back I took my '06 Ram (258K miles) in for its yearly safety state inspection at a Firestone shop I patronize. Found the lower ball joints worn out - would not pass inspection. Presented me with an estimate (~$900). I signed off on it. In the process they found the lower ball joints were riveted to the lower control arms and could not get them off. Well, they probably could have if the tech worked on it for a couple of days. Ended up replacing the LCA's (new ones came with ball joints already attached), but the repair estimate remained the same - they ate the cost on the LCA's.

 

I take back what I said earlier about the object being a tire kick-up. Now it looks like the work of a bored 15 year old's attempt at harmless vandalism. I have to give credit to the master-mind that carried out a rattle attack on the exhaust system. Can you make a sound video with someone with a camera and someone reving the engine? It would help educate the class.

 

Never have I had this issue with any of my GM vehicles that I have owned over the past 30 years. The only time I did have a issue related to this was on my 1977 Olds Cutlass Salon and it only occurred after I put in the wrong type of brake fluid. It wasn't DOT 3 but something else and it destroyed the seals.

 

I had this leaking of the master cylinder on my 1988 Mazda truck (and into the booster); the 1986-1993 Mazda truck have "iffy" hydraulics . But never on our 2 Suburbans and 1 Yukon.

 

Ok... to answer some of yall at once (I hope)
They gave a VERBAL estimate not written and it was ***** nilly nothing in writing. vehicle is mine, in my name, dealing with me... but they had my husband sign something (unbeknownst to me). He doesnt know what he signed he was just told it was "to allow us to do the work". He was sick and on cold medicine and literally not thinking clearly (not to mention not mechanically inclined - he knows some but I'm more the auto repair tech than he is...).
That metal piece... I had it pulled out when I went back the Monday after work was done. It was pulled out and the tech broke it right in front of me as I had my hand out asking for it. I do have it, though. As tight of a space that is I dont see HOW it could've been kicked up from the road.
Yes the work WAS done. I can verify new brakes and rotors, new calipers on rear, new MC & new booster (but the booster is remanufactured 🤬300 for a REMAN!? What the heck!?).
Monday after work was done I took it back as I noticed pedal wasnt consistent and idle was wonky. I also wiped between MC & booster and fluid got soaked onto napkin immediately. Supposedly it wasn't leaking the guy said "the tech did a sh*t job cleaning up" (exactly what he said to me). Then he cleaned it and tried to say it was done. He noticed pedal was weird. Pulled back onto lift. Pulled MC back off. Said theres a vac leak. Put back on. Still vac leak. Pulled MC back off AGAIN and "discovered" there was an o-ring supposed to be on the MC but wasn't. Put o-ring on and vac leak magically vanished. Tried saying I was done and backed the Burb out to send me on my way.
Me: uhhh why are these lights and messages on?
Tech: oh you're needing some other work done I guess. Want me to check it and see what it needs next?
Me: those weren't on when I pulled in
Tech: they were you prolly just didnt see them
Me: no. They weren't. (Pulled out phone showing a video of truck in park, at idle, with no warnings or lights on IN THEIR LOT before I got out of vehicle 30 minutes earlier)
Tech: (look of "oh crap" on his face)
Went and got scan tool... cleared codes.
I had "service brake system soon" message, StabiliTrak light was on on the dash and Traction Control disabled message on dash. I stood right there as he scanned and cleared them. I recorded entire interaction because I just get a weird feeling there.... did before and still do now.

The o-ring resolved the inconsistency in brake pedal distance & pressure and the slightly rough idle. Warning lights & messages have stayed off.

I really hate feeling like a place is steady trying to take advantage of someone.... especially when it's me. Just because I'm female doesnt mean I'm ignorant with vehicles. I can change radiators, coolant flange & CV axles (2001.5 passat), oil, transmission filters, clean intakes, coolant flushes, and some other basic stuff. I would've done brakes myself if I had the pneumatic tools.


(I've already put out a mass email to Budget Brakes regarding the ENTIRE ISSUE from cost, estimate, charges for things that should've been bundled or included, having to return, feeling like it was a partial sabotage, having someone else sign off on whatever it was when it's my vehicle brought in by me, etc).
I'll update accordingly as anything happens.