New Brakes

I still like Minh's Auto at 15th and 3rd ave. Him and his son Tam run an honest and affordable shop.

If you can change a tire, you can change your brakes. Most cars disc up front and drum in the back. For discs, Take off the wheel, push back the calipers. Remove the two bolts that hold the brake assembly on the hub. Remove old brake pads, insert new pads. Put assembly back together.
If your rotors are scored, either have them recut or replace them. After the brake assembly is off, the rotor will come right off. If you need to bleed the brakes afterwards (pedal is spongy, goes to the floor) Get a piece of fish tank tub, a clean jar, some brake fluid and a helper. On the back of the brake assembly, there is a nipple nut. Put the hose on one end (clean it first) and the other in the jar filled with brake fluid. Have your helper pump the pedal a few times and hold it. Loosen the nipple nut, and you should see some bubbles, then close the nut. Do that a couple times till there is no more air and your good.
Drums, take the wheel off, and remove the drum. Take off the tension spring and replace the pads, reassemble, bleed if needed. Make sure the parking brake is off.

If you go to a shop, inspect your brakes before hand so they don't try and sell you service you don't need. If the rotors are smooth and nice, they don't need cutting or replacing. Check your hoses for cracks etc. The brake fluid level will be low if you need brakes.

- edit to add -
Clean off the master cylinder and check for leaks at all the connections to it. (It's under the hood usually on the upper left on the firewall)
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I cannot refer a shop as I do most of my work myself. However, I haven't had a whip in ages.

modsquad wrote: "If you can change a tire, you can change your brakes. "

You don't recommend checking the brake master cylinder for leaks? That seems rather irresponsible, especially on older cars.

ooops.... forgot that.....