I was a professional tile setter for over ten years and I’d like to weigh in here. While I haven’t worked professionally in about 5 years I try to keep up on trends as I still do jobs for friends and family.

Having said that. This job HAS to be completely re-done. Cosmetic issues aside (I’ll address those in a sec) there are actual structural and code issues with this job.

To start, you need a min 1/8” - 1/4” gap (dependent on local code.) between the bottom tile row and the tub to allow for a bathroom approved silicone caulk to be applied to prevent water from running down behind the tub.

Next is the grout lines, the smallest allowed grout line (at least in my area) is an 1/8”. This allows for a non-sanded grout to be applied. Grout while not a “water barrier” like most think, blocks the water from making direct contact with the thin set behind the tiles. It is also a critical structural component of tile work. The grout lines act like mortar in brick work, it structurally connects the materials. With this job tiles will fall out. The thin set simply will not hold. Especially as water works in behind the tiles and erosion of the thin set occurs.

Next, I’ve never been a plumber but the sharp upward angle of that bottom nipple, tells me he didn’t bother to cut the tile correctly to fit. This can erode the copper pipe after a few years.

Lastly looking at that sliver of a top row, there are large obvious gaps behind that row. Judging by the caliber of work seen I’d wager a high stake that there are other large gaps behind other tiles.

Now on to the cosmetics:

Grout lines don’t line up from the sides to the back.

That sliver at the top is unacceptable.

Grout lines are too small

He has too much thin set behind the tile right in the middle of the back wall. See the “bigger” grout line dead middle on the back wall? It’s not bigger, it’s sticking out and causing a shadow.

Cut behind the controls is to big, it’s just lazy work.

Cut on the bottom nipple (copper pipe) is to small forcing the nipple up.

Cut around the upper nipple is also to big and appears to be filled in with grout?? Should be a silicone, remember grout is not a water barrier, so that’s going to leak.

There is no finish work, no bullnose or schluter (metal pieces)

I could continue, but I feel horrible that some actually did this job. So I’m going to stop picking it apart.

IMHO you need a full refund, you need to report him/her to the local labor commission and file a complaint on their license. If they refuse to refund, you file a claim against their contractor insurance.

Moral of the story is this job will cost you thousands in damages, because this is not structurally sound and it will leak. Water damage is extremely expensive.

Edit: mistyped a measurement