What he ^^^^^said go'es for me as well. He is lucky to be paid at all.

I never like tile or even brick on the flat. Nothing but trouble. And mildew.

Yeah, agree with Creative, and also would like to ask if the prep done properly?

First question. What waterproofing was used in the shower???? Do you have any in progress photo's? To fabricate bullnose a profile wheel and an ANGLE GRINDER:) Depending on the answer to the waterproofing question all other issues could be irrelevant. NOTE: cement board is not waterproofing.

Thanks for the feedback. The waterproofing was done thoroughly and I'm happy with all the first fix, problem only started when the tiler arrived. I was pointing out some of the tilers mistakes as he went but the builder gave me assurance that everything would be finished to a standard I was happy with however some of the tiling looks like it can't be repaired with remedial works?

Very sloppy, uneven joints, not what I would be expecting from an actual pro. It looks as bad as my early efforts at DIY tile (I've gotten better, not great, with time). Even if you can't get a finished bullnose tile--clearly the best solution-- I'd have at least made miter joints at the corners by back beveling the tile at a 45 deg angle to present a small, uniform grout line at the corner. I'd be asking for a do-over at his cost, not considering paying more.

I noticed the chipped edges. I don't see how not using Schluter would cost more?

" The waterproofing was done thoroughly and I'm happy with all the first fix"

What were the first fixes with the waterproofing?

"but the builder gave me assurance that everything would be finished to a standard I was happy with "

The tiler is asking for $550 on the side, not through the builder? This is all your builder's problem to resolve.

Agree with others ... first look at the pictures says amatuer work, no way quality pro work .. asking for more money is an insult

Each time op post's additional comments the more convinced I become we arn't getting near the complete story about this job.

What do you mean and how does it relate to the workmanship he is asking about?

Don't pay anything extra. See if you can get your money back from the GC.

Bring in another tiler, preferably one recommended by a local tile store. Avoid a worse mess.

This looks like the work we got initially. What you can SEE here is only a CLUE to how bad the work is. We later discovered that not only were the tiles uneven, the guy had also failed to extend the shower floor's waterproofing seal up and over the threshold. Tiles cracked and started falling off as soon as we began to use the shower.

I'd make him tear out the shelf and do it right, and he wouldn't get a penny extra, much less $550.

Why was the tiler not using a wet saw? Are you saying he was using a grinder preferentially over his wet saw, or did he not even have a wet saw?

I guess because he isn't really a tiler.

snookums-

How unkind! But that thought did cross my mind...

I think it 'crossed' everyone's mind, lol.

Oh, and I'll tell you what's unkind ... pictures are above, along with a request for more money!!

Well, it does shows a willingness to try to improve, as long as the OP pays for the OJT and provides the materials and the training site. Maybe the $550 is to buy him a wet saw...

There you go. You want a good job? More equipment is needed, that's on you.

Just to give an update. Raised the issues mentioned above and tiler said that the joints could not be mitred properly using onsite tools and would need to be factory cut to achieve those joints...

So he decided to do it improperly and ask for more money?

Yeah, the factory. How about TWI - Tiling While Intoxicated?

Robert-

Each explanation you are getting is more implausible than the last. I've cut 45 degree miters perfectly with my crappy little $60 wet saw.

Tell him he can take a hike, or he can come redo it on his dime. Bet he wont ask for more money again. Also tell him to buy a wet saw, as cutting tile with an angle grinder is not something a pro would do routinely. It is clear many of the tile have chips in them due to cutting with the grinder. Cutting straight lines with an angle grinder is difficult at best and time consuming, and you need very steady hands.

geoffrey_b -- TWI! How did you *know*? The men doing our MBA were two brothers. One was 'just OK'. His brother...a drunk who brought along his ten-year-old grandson one day, to 'help'. Eeek!

But did the 10 year old grandson do the best work?