The bottom row of tile is what gets cut to start with a level surface. And judging from the off kilter grout joints plus the top tile, you have a guy who is not a tile setter. I would very concerned about the waterproofing system behind it for starters, and in the fact that it will most likely get trashed taking all the tile and you see where I am going with this. Basically to "fix" this the tile at this point you need to almost get the bathroom and start over, and I am not certain this installer will be capable.

This is a do-over, I'm afraid. But don't even try to have the same guy re-do it.

When you redo the tile, run it all the way up to the ceiling line, but make sure they check how level the ceiling is before they start!

I can’t tell if it’s just the way the picture looks on my phone, but on the right side, the tile looks like it is at least half an inch away from the wall. Am I seeing that right? Another reason to have someone else redo it. I would part ways with your contractor and not make the final payment.

@k8cd yes, that's a whole other issue! There was a weird addition to the wall there that they just tiled over top of, and brought the tile a bit above it? Truly bizarre.

Buy him a level. Then fire him.

What did they do for waterproofing?

I ache for the frustration you must be feeling and you are correct, this is not an acceptable tile job and your contractor is BS-ing you. I recently had a shower tiled, also not all the way up to the ceiling. I live in an 80 year old apartment building so no wall or floor is ever straight no matter how hard they try to plumb. They started with the top row, making sure it was parallel to the ceiling. Then they did the rest and made the more slanted cuts at the bottom. Are you using a shower curtain? A door? How high up will it come?

Unfortunately I doubt he would repay you. I guess it never hurts to ask but I would preface it with how you had heard good reviews and are not really sure what happened but it will cost x amount to have it fixed and you don’t feel comfortable with having the same person try to fix it. Also review your contract before the conversation. Some have a right to fix clause.

Not sure what the situation was for them coming into your house (lockbox, etc) but if they had access to your house with a key, I would change the locks before the conversation (probably overkill but some of our contractor’s guys seemed very vindictive).

Do NOT give them the final payment until this is redone. The only power you have is when you still hold some money. If you pay the final amount, you will never see them again.

Our tile guys messed some thing sup. I had them redo sections and told them they must waterproof again behind these new areas. They made the fix so quickly I doubted that they could have done the second waterproofing. I asked them to show me the can of waterproofing. They said they threw it out but to believe them. GC’s project manager asked them to rip off a tile and show him the water proofing. Then they admitted to lying. They had to rip things out and retile these areas for a third time. I asked them to text me pics of the waterproofing before the tile went up.

You are not alone when it comes to dealing with sheisters.

Here is our tile job. Around the windows you can see how the tiles had to be cut to accommodate the slanting walls.

This is sadly a complete tear out. They should be embarrassed. As others have said with the tile install this poor I’m sure the waterproofing is wrong too. Yikes.

Kylie:

Type up two online reviews, but don't post them. Send them to the contractor first.

One review calmly documents the issues and the problems you've had getting them resolved.

The second review acknowledges the problem but gushes about how the contractor went the extra mile for resolution and you'd highly recommend him.

Ask which review he'd like to see online.

^^^^ Excellent suggestion. No one can look at that installation and say it’s acceptable.

Also, I don't know what higher level of contractor you have involved, but maybe you can get them to plumb all the walls and level the tray base before the tiling starts!!!

This is do over starting with the proper waterproofing and take pics of the whole process too. I donot see the base in your pic but I am a bit confused ast othe reason for the placemnt of the shower head and why small tiles in a shower.. Yes keep the last payment for sure but you need all of this in writing and all the replies saved in writing.

We experienced a totally botched shower job also. They totally screwed up the waterproofing. The tell tale sign was the bad tile installation, and then the wrongly done waterproofing was discovered.

Read here:

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

We were delayed collecting the judgement bc the pandemic hit and the sheriff was not entering properties on writs of execution. And then we were delayed bc my Mom was dying, so I didn't have the energy to focus on this for about 2 years. But we have a judgment and now we are moving forward with collections.

I agree with the above posters that you should try to get the contractor to make it right, but if that doesn't work out, read my story and there's advice in there how to protect yourself.

The "angled floor".....

It is not uncommon for a house to settle. It is also not uncommon, that a prior renovation occurred, without consideration to how a living floor shall stay UP and doesn't sink into a living space below!

A lot didn't happen here, before the very first tile was laid. I'd want to know a lot more about that "angle" : ) joists, the floor, all of it.

I'll let @Millwork sound off on that concept.

2 things

1. This is a mess and a complete do over. The right wall is wavy, the tiling is crooked, the foamboard (?) that is on the right should be covered (did they start doing that with tiles and then stop?) Withholding payment is leverage. While the 2 review strategy may be ultimately successful - I worry it proliferates tainted reviews and sets the next sucker up for pain.
2. Huge props to Kendrah for being firm and advocating for herself to drive resolution and accountability. Well done.

@just_janni Thank you. Your shout out actually means a lot because much sleep was lost over this, and much energy was spent putting on my female cajones to go head to head with idiots who lie to your face. Sometimes you have to cave instead of using the energy to fight with contractors. But when water is involved, a fight is necessary.

I'm having the same questions that I think Jan is having...

They've lined full tiles up with the angled shower tray at the bottom,

Shower tray indicates a prefab pan. Is this indeed a prefab piece?

Pictures that include the shower floor? The shower tray...prefab tray? The tile flange of most shower pans that I'm aware of should be level all the way around if installed correctly.

Put a level a horizontal line of tiles and take a photo. Level across the top of the tiles on the back wall. And a level where the wall meets the ceiling.

Do not assume that the ceiling is level or flat.