Caulking should come off the clad windows no issues, sanded brick I kind of doubt it will come off easily. What kind of caulk?

i'm not sure, maybe a silicone product:

i'm really disappointed, especially given how picky everyone working on my house knows i am. this is all at eye-level, so it's pretty obvious. i feel like it looks like my toddler squirted toothpaste in there. i just really worry it will ruin the bricks and mortar to be removed, but i'm so irritated by the sloppiness that i can't possibly leave it like that.

Considering how thin a strip you're talking about that the current caulk covers + the fact that the new caulk will cover most of it, I don't think it will be a problem. The caulk should peel off just the way it would any other brick. With the experiences you've been having, though, I think I'd be there when they did it. No one likes to be watched while they work, but in your case, I wouldn't care if they liked it or not, I'd just do it. No sense risking further screw ups.