Looks like crappy installation, not crappy tile. Were the smaller squares part of a sheet or were they individual?

I think I could do better than what's shown!

Also, if the tile was bowed, why did they try to use that piece? Isn't extra tile always ordered just for cases like that?

I'm no expert but that first picture alone looks like crappy installation. Bad tile doesn't cause tons of excess grout all over the place.

That first pic doesn't look right. A good installer should order extra tile and inspect the tiles before install and ask for clarification before installing if something isn't right. I believe our installer insisted on around 20% extra. Even if the tiles were bowed, they should have stopped installing and contacted you before putting bad tile in to avoid problems. I'm starting to appreciate our installer more and more after seeing a lot of these posts. Sorry for your problems.

The first photo is the only one that bothers me, and from a distance (your later photo), I can see that the tile itself has a lot of variation too. I'm not sure I'd rip this out, given how much work goes into proper waterproofing behind the tile, but only you know how much you'll continue to notice it once the other parts of your bathroom are in place -- usually yesterday's work is what really galls us. :)

Poor install and BTW concrete board is not waterproofing

I agree 100% that waterproofing should be used but the facts are that USG and Hardibacker due NOT state any is needed for installation. As a matter of fact they also not that even a simple plastic barrier is only needed if code states it.

The entire waterproofing deal has been pushed by Co blasting the internet pushing their products. If you take a cup of water and turn it upside down on one of the above the opposite side would take hours if not a day to penetrate the opposite side. A simple water barrier such as felt or plastic would redirect that moisture into the pan or tub.

They aren't waterproof but they are mold proof which eliminates any issues if they due get wet. The majority of water issues are plumbing and behind and waterproofing. Otherwise it is poor installation majority being wall wicking water like the heavily grouted corners here vs using caulking at any change of plane.

All the water proofing issues people see being ripped out are due to builders using green board about 10-20 years ago which simply can't take being wet and fails. What you don't see is all these complicated waterproofing systems failing as builders mix and match and don't know how to deal with overlapping installation instructions. They are adding so many more products that create as many ways for the job to fail. These are needed in a steam shower not a basic shower. Your exterior walls don't get as much waterproofing.

That said the $200 in pruduct to waterproof wallboard makes a better installation but I have torn out green board bathrooms with zero water intrusion and anybody who tells you different is lying. It is the tile job.

Sorry for the rant but yes you have issues here that are due to how the backboard was installed . You need an educated licensed tile installer who is there with his or her crew. Not a great job especially the glass and the grouted corners. Give them the chance to fix it and make sure they caulk the corners that is where cracks and water intrusion occur. The caulking shouldn't be 1/2" or done over the grout.

The installation is certainly poor, tile and grout. I point out the grout because even if you have a tile set tile you can sure mess it up with the grout. Now I will say that you can run into tile patterns (styles) or batches that are not consistent. If you source from a big box store expect issues! This is where a skilled company and installers play there role. The installed needs to understand the style and flow of the selected tile. They also need to monitor for the size and if if acceptable to adjust to give the illusion of perfection fine but if its too bad, you need to stop and address the issue with the client and vendor. We have run into tile that we would refuse or recommend not to use for such circumstances. To be fair I would also ask how was the installer hired. Was he referred? Did he have a list of reviews and references? Was he the lowest cost? I ask that one because it is the number one source for BAD work, all too often homeowners think you will get the same level of work regardless of price. That is far from true. I also wonder where the tile was sourced, big box or professional dealer? As for the corners, they should be bull nose or a product like Shluter Rondec, not square. There are a number of factor that combine to give great results or poor results. All points should be covered with you so you may make the best decisions and get the desired outcome.

I would say that the work is average especially given all the natural stone tile selections. The natural tile varies in size and the trim pieces usually do not align with the wall tile.

My question would be, did you look at similar bathroom projects the firm recently completed? This might be their level of quality and the best that they are capable of producing.

@Alison Bock. Ugh. This is terrible. The accent tiles are a complete mess. Looks like they were cut with a dull toenail clipper. The out of level placement, plus the wildly varying grout thicknesses...at least the tile setter was consistent in his incompetence. Those wide grout lines at the joint in the field tile are also a disaster. Caulk, not grout, is to be used at any change of plane. Moreover, such a wide grout line suggests no planning as to layout.

The fact that your contractor subcontracted the tile work, and the subcontractor then handed it off to another tiler complicates (and explains) things, but makes not a whit of difference as to whom is accountable. It's your main contractor, the guy with whom you signed the contract for the remodel. What does he say?

@ BuildEx "Average" work? Seriously? It may be "average" in a mathematical sense, when complete hack work drags down the curve. But, "average" in the sense of acceptable? Nope.

@chris v-- Best to start your own thread. Include info on whether these are handmade tiles, and any pics of mfgr or showroom examples of installs you relied upon to make your purchase decision.