You are correct, that shim placement is incorrect.

The shims are typically sliced off at the plane of the glass panel before caulking. This shows poor craftsmanship. Were they paid in full ?

Thanks for the input, much appreciated. No, I haven't paid him yet and he's returning tomorrow to finish installing one glass panel and hinge that were the wrong size/finish. I agree regarding the poor craftmanship - that became clear to me after he caulked the crap out of everything and installed all of the hinges/clips with "pads" skewed. It dumbfounds me that he would care so little about a job (and future referrals!) to screw up things that are so easily done correctly.

Regarding the gaps - is there an industry standard for spacing between panel/wall & panel/door?

1/4" max, preferably much smaller than that. Much will depend on the plumb ans squareness of the walls but 3/4" to me would be a poor measuring job, mistake in calculating deductions or an order error. Any way you look at it it is unacceptable.

When did the fellow measure this job? The measuring should take place after the tile is installed. Most times you see plus or minus maybe 3/16". Depends on size and thickness of glass.

Clear shims take the weight until the silicone sets up. Removing them will not make any change in appearance than slicing them.

With 3/4" gaps I would be telling the boys to take it back and try try again.

Who's glass guy? Yours or the builder? I've used the same guy for 14 years. I have sent back one piece in all that time. I have one client who dislike my guy and other than that a perfect record.

These glazers should be using levels and plumb lines to do the job right. To be perfect the fix panes should go in first and then doors measured.

Out of plumb walls are no excuse for poor fit.

Houzz has rules about what you can post, and if I ran things, that pictured caulk job would have a trigger warning that viewing it may make you sick.

Haha regarding the caulk job, my thoughts were that my 6yo could have done a better job than this guy. He's here now and is not happy about me pointing out issues and claimed the door gaps were due to my walls being out of plumb. He did measure after the tile was in but it's clear he's not a perfectionist, and his measurements obviously reflect that. Frustrating! I really appreciate all of the input, it's very helpful. One thing I didn't mention is that one of the top of one of the panels has a thin chip out of it about 1" long. It's very thin and not really noticeable, but still shows a crap install.

When I had my frameless shower door installed, the contractor came with a big contraption (templater?) which was actually a wooden trapezoid. He could move the sides by loosening and tightening screws to align it to my wall (which was out of plumb). I laughed because it looked like "old world" craftsmanship to me, but I was astounded when the glass was installed it fit perfectly! I think your guy should consider redoing the whole thing. You should not be able to see the caulk.

When my son had his semi- frameless sliding doors installed the glass people called to say the install would be delayed by a couple days because there was a chip on one of the doors and he reordered it. Obviously they were conscientious about their work, your guy certainly isn't. Even a beginner installer should know to cut the shims off. And the caulking he did is just "piggish". Is the person who installed it the owner of the company?If not get the owner to look at it. If he is the owner tell him he needs to make it right or take it back and you will find someone competent to do the job. Show him the responses you have received from your post here.

3/32 " max and no caulking required.

2 year old post Laurie.

Omg milkman, I've been liking all these responses, lol!

ETA, I called millworkman, "milkman", hahaha