I agree...that's an un-workmanlike mess. The cuts are crappy and chipped and that corner joint to the left doesn't meet up properly. And what is all that white crap slopped on the tilework? The first tile project I did in my own house years ago looked far superior to that, and I'm just a DIY-er, not a contractor.

When I see work like that, it makes me question everything else he might or might not have done. You said he used Durock on the walls, but did he plumb and shim the walls first? Did he use an adequate fastener pattern? Did he tape the joints. Did he apply a waterproofing membrane? What's the construction of the shower pan, and did he leak test it?

And my last question: Did the tile guy start drinking before starting work, or did he wait until lunch? Fire this guy before he wastes more of your money and causes more damage. Talking to someone who is so incompetent is not going to turn this into an adequate shower. If you keep him on the project, plan to tear the whole thing out and start over in a year or two.

Elizabeth:

Creative knows of what he speaks.

I usually try to be postive, but have to say that this is a really bad shower tile installation. I can't imagine any newly prepped wall being so out of plumb that you would have that much thinset behind the tile. Or was there some other reason to adjust the wall? Durock is also not waterproof by itself, so they should have applied other waterproofing on top of it (Redguard, Schluter membrane, etc.).

The tile along the floor looks like completely the wrong type of tile. They should have used trim tile that has a bullnose edge, or they should have added bullnose edging on top to give a finished edge. Whoever caulked it does not have much experience working with caulk. It looks like a first-time homeowner fix.

Bruce

Spot bonding (and wrong waterproofing) was used on my project a couple years ago. When I asked the contractor about it, they quit. Had to rip out and rebuild with a new contractor.

Sorry this is happening to you. Here's what I recommend:

Tell contractor to stop work, and that you know spot binding is not allowed by industry standards. Then ask them to come for a meeting on a certain date. Before that date, hire a certified tile professional to come and do an inspection and give you a written report detailing everything that was done wrong and what it will cost to fix it. (Ask them to do a flood test and anything else they need to do to evaluate the waterproofing).

Here are 2 organizations with search tools on their websites.
www.tile-assn.com
Click on “find a contractor” and enter your zip code. Let the miles radius be fairly large, like 50 miles or so. The excellent tile pro that built all my bathrooms was on that site in my area, but about 40 miles away bc he was near downtown and I’m in a suburb.
www.ceramictilefoundation.org
This site has lots of good information on it. I didn’t find my contractor on this site, but a lot of people have told me that they had luck with it.
Here’s where you click to find a contractor:
www.ceramictilefoundation.org/find-certified-tile-installers
Also, if you are a nerd like me and you like to read, you could download a digital version of the TCNA handbook. It’s less than $40. It’s over 600 pages, but you don’t have to read the whole thing. Read the introduction (about 50 pages) and then read the shower chapters. You can skip all the other chapters such as swimming pools, etc. Reading this helped me to learn about the process and industry standards for water proofing and tile installation; it helped me to ask more informed questions, and helped a lot in my meeting with the contractor who messed up my shower.
www.tcnatile.com/products-and-services/publications.html
After the pro you hire for the inspection gives you his written report of all the things done wrong, have the business meeting with the contractor at the worksite and discuss all the problems. If it needs to be completely redone, ask them to do that, at their expense. They will either agree, in which case you give them a chance to redo it, or they will refuse, in which case they are effectively quitting. Confirm with them that if they don’t attempt to redo it, they are basically quitting; get them to acknowledge that fact. After the meeting follow up with an email documenting that conversation, and asking for acknowledgement, so that in the future they can’t claim that you illegally fired them. In that email, say something like “We were so disappointed that you decided to quit the project rather than fix the [ list of problems ]. Because we have to have the shower rebuilt, we are requesting a refund in the amount of [$$$] in order for us to hire a new contractor and for the purchase of replacement materials.” They will probably respond to that email to refuse you the refund, but at least then you have an electronic paper trail that shows that you did not fire them illegally, that they quit instead. You can then go to small claims or district court to sue them if you want, but that’s a real PITA.
In the scenario where they agree to redo it, give them a chance. Take pictures of the demo process so you can see, and post here, the layers under the tile. If the waterproofing was also done wrong, you’ll need to getbthem to agree to do it right this time. Post here for advice about that discussion and amendment to your contract. Also take pictures twice a day (at lunch break, and in the evening) of every step of the rebuild, including all the supplies and tools. Post them here. When/if they mess it up again (and maybe have the inspector come out a second time), then you can legally fire them in most states. That’s how it is in TX where I am. If you want to know for sure you can look up your states statues online and read the construction laws. If you aren't sure and you don't want to read the laws, just assume that you have to give them a chance to fix first before firing them. After you fire them, ask for a refund and hire a real pro to start over. Consider hiring the person you hired to inspect.
Sorry this is happening to you. It happened to me. It's far too common.

anyone reading along, get A written contract that guarantees TCNA ANSI and all MFG standards will be met and followed.

This tile job fails all and you will have recourse when the bickering starts. Hire wisely.

Thank you for the feedback - all very helpful information. The contracting company I hired is licensed and insured but they obviously are hiring out work to subs who are not qualified. They did use red guard, I have no idea why they used so much thinset (other than the fact that they have no idea what they are doing). I also have a permit for this work. I will be contacting my “project manager“ first thing this morning.

Many thanks for all the feedback. Here‘s the latest.... This remodel is due to a leak in my condo. I have hired a licensed/insured contracting co that specializes in dealing with insurance claims. Since this is a larger co, I am assigned a project manager (nice kid but young). I contacted him this morning and insisted on a face to face meeting. Prior to this mtg, I also called the bldg dept and got good general information re inspections and tips on disputing the work....as well as researching online from the helpful info provided here.

When I met with My project manager this morning he assured me all the work was done correctly and it would look great after the finishing touches were done at the end. I told him I was calling the head of the bldg dept and requesting a consultation inspection and to immediately cease all work.

Long story short, I was able to get a meeting with the head of the building department, the head of building compliance and my project manager today all together at once in my bathroom. The tile is all being removed and redone! On top of spot bonding and sloppiness, the red waterproofing was not applied thick enough, the inspector could still see the lettering on the duorock.

Thank you for all the information provided on this thread! It was key to me having insight on how bad the job was and pursuing a complete redo of the tile work!

Forgot to mention - original tile person will NOT be involved in any aspect of the tile redo!!!!!!

Good to see someone dig in their heels for what is right and not buckling to pressure tactics.

Commonly Insurance companies do not pay contractors enough to hire trade professionals. Odds are not in your favor for a proper installation. Use caution on the redo and post in progress photos. Rip-out, framing, wallboard, waterproofing, adhesives/mortar, tile setting method. It's your best defense. Good luck.

Bright side? You tile is very nice - be sure to post an after photo!!

Good on you!

Now, going forward, take lots and lots of pictures of all the work. At lunch breaks and in the evening, including all the tools, buckets and materials.

I’m going to post and old thread of mine. It’s long. The most important things are taking pictures and documenting all conversations and decisions in text or email, nothing merely verbal.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5725013/what-to-do-when-a-project-goes-completely-south#n=66

stay strong, you have the cards.