Yup, sometimes they are slightly crooked but it's just the odd irregularity usually. Is it grouted yet? And can you post a clear photo of the area?

Usually the tiles are not crooked; it's that the mesh-backed sheet shifts during the setting. The only solution is to go back and individually adjust each tile.

is it reasonable to expect them to be straight? it dips down behind the stove where there was no countertop to support. also on the left side. it goes up on the right before the first outlet.

Have you thought of doing an accent tile in a different pattern above your stovetop? It may help to break up the linear problem. Also, just a suggestion, if your stove is new and can be exchanged for a slide in style, it would give you more room to create an accent piece for a little more interest.

It's hard to see how far off straight/level the tiles are. Any noticeable amount isn't acceptable IMO.

Perhaps you could stretch an easily visible cord or thick string level and taut (use a level), then take a photo of that. It will be easier for people to say confidently whether it's unacceptably off-level or bowed.

Perhaps the tile is level and your cabinets and counters are off. You need a real 48" level to put on it to determine what is real. Because the tile seems to be perfectly in plane with your range back. No ''dipping''. Also, you get different quality work from a $300 ''tile guy'' vs. A $1200 tile mechanic. If you pay the $300 and have expectations of $1200 work, then you hired the wrong contractor.

I agree I can’t see this either.

I do not see too much off kilter, but it is you who has to look at it. I think that the tiler should have pulled out the stove and nailed a level board across the space so the tiles had some support. I have seen that done. That prevents the sliding down effect.

I do not think that anyone else would ever notice what you are describing, it is hard for some of us to even see anything!

I can't see it.

However, I can say that there shouldn't be sag where there is no counter, as a careful tile-setter would put a board across the gap while tiling, and take it away only once the tile is set.

Maybe you won't notice it once the tile is grouted and the lines aren't so prominent, and once this isn't the New Thing taking all your attention?

(p.s.) quite like this tile -- happy to see it installed!

I see it too. Needs to be fixed. It would bother me. Have you checked the stove for level?

If you look at the top of the range, you can see it. I would have him straighten it out, it's just a off a bit, i think it can be corrected. It would bug me too.

Or shim the stove under slightly? A

Oh... this is not the tiles fault but rather the installer who did not use his level while placing! I thought you were originally referring to those 1x1 mosaic tiles that have a tendency to shift. This is why photos are so crucial to support an arguement! You can clearly see the sag along the top of the oven. No doubt he knows about his #*£! up, and will try to talk his way out of this mess. Buy a $20 level as Sophie advised and photograph this for documentation should you need it. A level don't lie - there will be no arguing their way out of it.

thanks for all your feedback. I am going home at noon to discuss with him. he wants to be done with this job so I suspect he will blame the individual tiles. I asked if he would use a level and he said he just works his way up from the counter.

There's definitely a noticeable dip in the tile above the stove. That would drive me nuts. I hope your tile installer will fix that for you.

I spoke with him this afternoon. He said he can see the dip, but reiterated how it's hard to manipulate individual tiles. He said that they didn't put a board until the tile behind the stove because they didn't want to put nails in the wall. He told me to mark off the sections that i would like fixed and send him a picture. I also have to buy more tiles - which I plan to deduct off my final payment to him. Any other advice before we go down the path of trying to correct this problem? I see areas on the right and the left and behind the stove when I look at it.

Easier and faster just to demo out that area of drywall, put up new and do it again... And with that level handy.

I see a barely noticeable dip over the stove, and two cut tiles to the left of the outlet that are askew. If this were my kitchen, I'd have him reset the two cut tiles and say good enough for the rest. Once it's grouted you won't notice after a week, and nobody who comes in your kitchen will ever notice it. Besides, these tiles are notoriously hard to set, so there's no guarantee the fix won't look worse.

I see it. It would drive me bonkers.

Wabi-sabi (侘寂 ?) represents a
comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the
acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes
described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and
incomplete".

That would make life easier.

just adjust the range legs to make up the slight difference

I know this post is from years ago but I absolutely see the imperfection. I hope it all worked out for you.