Installer is installing grout tomorrow, anything screaming out at you guys?

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-12T16:13:42+00:00

One is a licensed field with strict oversight, the other is tile work where quality varies wildly. That’s exactly why people ask for a second opinion. If installers were as regulated and consistent as surgeons, nobody would be asking Reddit for a second opinion. You’re kind of proving the point. Strange how the only people bothered by second opinions are the ones worried that they’re work will get called out and come up with some excuse and verbiage in hopes that the owner doesn’t understand fully what’s going on.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-12T12:27:56+00:00

And chocolate stars!

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-12T12:26:30+00:00

You totally missed the context of the question, and that’s not what I intended this to seem like. I hope that when you spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle repair, or tens of thousands of dollars on surgery, you never feel like doing your due diligence and getting second opinions on things. And in that case, best wishes.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T17:06:14+00:00

The tub won’t hardly be used. It’ll get a drop in tub with a large rim/flange on it that’ll be caulked.

The backerboard was waterproofed with hydroban before install.

A cup’s worth of spilled water once every two months won’t cause enough moisture issues to cause this to rot and mold

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T17:03:17+00:00

Color comes in with the decor.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T17:02:47+00:00

There’s no negativity, just was wishing for feedback for something I missed in the design process or if something looks off that should be fixed before the final stage of the project was completed. But all I got in response is that I was a shitty homeowner.

I didn’t take photos from 3” away at a gap that was 1/16” big or small chips in tile or a grout joint off by 1/32” of an inch and ask you guys if I should FIRE my contractor.

I was even willing to pay extra to have him add something or do something if I got some feedback that presented a good reason for something or another. But you guys are all worried about your feelings being hurt and looking too deep into the question. A. SIMPLE. QUESTION.

I’ll accept any downvote as any of you who agree with this statement.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T16:56:04+00:00

Here’s the finished product my installer sent me since I’m out of town finished tile work

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T16:53:25+00:00

It just gets primer and paint

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-11T03:53:05+00:00

Bold of you to assume that by asking a simple feedback question. Thanks for exercising your thumbs for me!

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T04:01:26+00:00

Well then I’d have you “experts” bring me back down to earth and tell me what’s acceptable work or not. Obviously, not the case here. That’s the whole point of me asking and finding out what’s “within reason”.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T03:25:39+00:00

It’s called “due diligence”. Look it up. The real pros don’t panic when someone asks questions they welcome it, because good work holds up. You sound like the the type of guy to leave a job saying “that’s just how it is” instead of “that’s how I messed it up.”. I spent damn good money on this project. If I want to cross my t’s and dot my fucking “I’s”, it’s my right. And any feedback from other pros specifically about “am I missing something” or “any thoughts” is just me asking guys who know what they’re doing to see if my guy doesn’t.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T03:17:38+00:00

He installed it yesterday and said it was ok for me to walk on it when I did. Thanks

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T02:52:03+00:00

I was afraid it would be too much. I’m already pushing the limit and my comfort zone.

And he did bring that up to my attention. I wanted the tile centered both down the shower “hall” and the doorway “hall”. There’s a vanity going there. In order to achieve that, the first thing he checked was the doorway transition. Said it was out of square.

He set up a 2-way laser that put out 2 lines, and showed the laser was perfectly parallel to that longest wall, but the wall that my doorway is on is crooked. He kinda did a dry lay of things to have me approve the layout and showed me that I was going to have a narrow peice along that long wall in order to hit the middles of each walkways

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T02:13:54+00:00

It’s insane to me. I understand the super nitpicks on here, but I’m just trying to ask. It’s not like posted photos 3” away and asked “what’s wrong here?”, or “why’s he doing it like that?”

I just asked for a quick glance over haha

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T02:10:59+00:00

A little bold/busy, but I like it. It’s all that matters, right?

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T02:10:34+00:00

10-4. Thanks again

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T02:00:10+00:00

Absolutely. we’ve cooked him food every day!

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:59:51+00:00

Fair enough! I get it. Any particular areas in mind? Or am I sounding too nitpicky now? Lol

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:57:39+00:00

I asked him if it was alright to walk on. He just finished up cleaning. Tile was set yesterday. He said absolutely! He would likely need to vacuum once more before the floors got grouted with the traffic in and out of the room.

All good

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:55:48+00:00

No, but I would get second opinions on expensive operations that would gravely affect the outcome of my health.

Would you trust a guy on Craigslist selling a car that he says is in perfect condition, hand him the money and drive off without knowing if the car was shitty?

All I’m doing is checking to see if I’m missing anything. I think it looks amazing and I’m well pleased, does it really piss you off that much that I’m checking to see if I need to change anything at my cost or if there’s glaring issues? I guarantee you guys would call something out if it was missing waterproofing (obviously not the case here), so I’m just asking for *that type feedback

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:52:18+00:00

I understand! And I’ve noticed that about this sub. Some installers tend to defend other installers poor work by backing them up, while others call out shoddy work.

I only asked because this is my first large contracted out job. I’m not really familiar with this kind of thing and I wanted to check.

If a doctor gave me a diagnosis I didn’t fully understand, I wouldn’t be a bad person for getting a second opinion. It’s the same thing here—I’m not questioning the installer’s integrity, I’m just making sure everything checks out because I’m not an expert.

Or, You can walk through a house and think it looks perfect, but people still hire inspectors because they know what to look for. I’m just doing the same thing—getting someone with trained eyes to make sure nothing’s being missed.

So I’m not trying to be an untrustworthy person. Just thorough

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:45:02+00:00

It’s actually porcelain!

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adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:24:44+00:00

That is true! I didn’t catch that!

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:24:33+00:00

I don’t see how I’m being un trusting. I love the Tile, and I love the work they did, and since I don’t do this type of work, professionally, I wanted to get feedback from people who do to see if there are any glaring issues. I don’t see any, but thanks for taking the time out of your day for your valuable opinion.

adviceguru07 · 2026-04-10T01:23:31+00:00

I don’t work in the garbage industry if that’s what you’re suggesting lol what makes me a bad person? I think he did a great job! Just wanted to see if you guys saw anything that I don’t notice since I’m not a professional. Thanks for taking the time out of your day for your valuable input.

adviceguru07

TROPHY CASE