help! builder ripping us off for cost of materials

starving_artist

My mother has just had her bathroom and kitchen refurbished. The quote included the cost of tiling approx 7 sqm but not the cost of the plain white tiles themselves. Foolishly we asked the builder to get the tiles and we would pay him the extra.
He completed the works and we have paid as per his quote. However he now says he wants an additional £250 for the cost of the tiles and grout. I find it hard to believe that he paid more than £30 per sqm metre for plain white tiles. I have asked him to provide proof of purchase but he refuses to do so and will only provide his own hand written receipt. Can we refuse to pay? He has become quite aggressive and I am worried about him intimidating my mother in to paying.

misgrace

Normally when they quote for tiling and you buy the tiles, thier price includes tile adhesive and grout.
It does seem a hell of a lot to me £30 sqm for plain white tiles, can you not do some searches on tile shops and get the average cost for plain white tiles, personally I would hold back some money till you either get a receipt or both come to a agreement about the cost of the tiles acceptable to you.

catkins

Sorry but I think you are on to a loser here. You asked him to supply them without fixing a price. I am on your side and think that it is a rip off but he has no legal requirement to show you the original receipt. It is like asking Tesco to show how much they paid for something they are selling to you. He is by law allowed to mark up whatever he likes, if it goes to Court he will probably win. Unfair I know but use this as a learning experience, get a firm price before agreeing to anything.
Good luck.

Alan_M_2

I agree with catkins, feeling it's fair or not is actually irrelevant, you've given authority to the builder to go and buy them without any budget constraint at all.

If they are a quality Spanish or Italian kitchen tile then £30 sq/m in not unreasonable. If they are cheap Turkish Rubbish as sold by any of the DIY sheds then it's probably on the steep side.