I am a fabricator. Very poor install. The point of backsplash is to provide a barrier keeping liquids away from the wall. FAIL. The step at the bottom of the seam is something that should be ground off in the fab shop and its easily done. FAIL. the warped material is defective and should be replaced. FAIL. was your countetop purchased thru a big box store? The shortcuts apparent in the install are typical of big box store fabricators because they have to cut labor hours on the fabrication in order to make any money at the rates the big box stores will pay. Note not all fabricators that supply to big box stores do a poor job but when I see work like that it is more often than not a big box store job.

And in my experience, if it’s a big box store job you’d probably be wasting your breath trying to get it changed.

The remodel was contracted through a kitchen designer who subbed out all the work. This person has walked off the job stating that I am a complainer and that I should just accept it as is and just enjoy my kitchen. I might add that the countertop is not the only issue. The designer has refused to provide me with the name of the fabricator/installer and said there is no warranty on the countertop. Is this normal?

Probably MSI or other knockoff brand that doesn't really offer anything but a tail light warranty. And some guy in a shed with a garden hose. Or, cutting dry. Without a mask.

None of that is "normal". But, you don't get what you won't pay for. A 23K quartz top job is not the same as a 3K quartz top job.

I dislike hearing people put down the big box stors because if it was with a big box store you would have more recourse. I would continue to hound the ”professional kitchen designer” until they make good on this or take them to small claims court.

Did you pay everyone directly or did you pay the designer? Sounds like you paid the designer which means they are acting as a contractor. Are they licensed as contractors in your state? Do you owe them any money?

I paid the designer directly and I have only withheld a small amount of money. I cannot find a contractors license listed for this company but there is one for the GC she used for some of the work.

You'll find that the big box stores hire the most successful fabricators in the business. Enough of this myth that they do poor work; it just isn't true and anecdotal evidence doesn't make it so.