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When you calibrate your monitor, you're matching the monitor's color and contrast to an international standard.
Your calibrated monitor matches the printing machine at the lab you use.
So, if you carefully adjust the color of a photograph, the lab will make a print with the same color as what you see on your monitor.
Photographers rarely have the opportunity to compare their non-calibrated monitors to calibrated ones.
So, they neglect to calibrate their monitors.
They blame the lab when they get a lousy print back from a lab.
However, the problem isn't the lab.
It's the photographer's non-calibrated monitor.
A colorimeter is used to measure the color of your monitor, along with some software.
Have a look at the ColorVision Spyder2express and the Pantone huey.
The latter adjusts the monitor for changes in the ambient light.
If you wish, you can check your calibrated monitor with these two test pages from Dry Creek Photo.
Photo Friday Monitor Calibration Tool Contrast and brightness are adjusted, but not color.