Victor Menderson

Advice on tiling the outside of the shower

UPDATE: Contractor added Laticrete Hydro Barrier Plus and says this is now waterproof
Posted yesterday concerned about the non-waterproofed Hardie board. Appreciate everyone’s insight as it gave me confidence to push back. Thanks y’all.

I am planning on creating a mud bed for this shower pan, but there is a transition from the concrete slab to the oversized sill plate.

A freebie!! GMy mother had a stroke, she couldn’t use the tub that was existing. So I built this shower for her and my father.

Waiting to here from the glass guy now

45-ing subwayHome budget DIY backsplash job. Side walls only go 2 rows up. Mostly because I was running out of tile and didn't feel like heading to Lowe's to get more. Lol.
Whats the expert thoughts on how I finished off the end by 45-ing the tile? Personally i like the look. Didn't have any edge extrusion and again, didn't feel like going to get any. Is this an acceptable edge finish?

I was quoted $6,750 for this salon tile wall, and I’m honestly furious. I paid for clean, professional work, not uneven vertical lines, questionable spacing, rough cuts around the mirrors and lights, and edges that look unfinished beside the cabinets. Some grout lines already look wavy, the pattern feels off in spots, and there are gaps and messy details that make the whole thing look rushed. Now the crew is still asking for final payment like I should just accept it. Am I being scammed, or is this normal? Would you pay for this? Should I stop the job immediately?

What is this amber liquid coming out of my light switch?
I noticed this amber liquid coming out of my light switch. When I took the plate off, there is a pool of it in the box. When I touched it it is actually more hard and a bit sticky, almost like a melted candy. It can't be easily wiped away. This switch was put in around a year ago. Is this something dangerous like a melted wire? We called an electrician but had to leave a message as they are closed for the day. Just wondering what this could be and if it is an emergency. Thanks!

Edit: My first thought was initially honey, but this is an interior wall. There is no buzzing in the wall. Haven't seen any bees. It seems harder than honey and no sugar crystals.

Edit 2: I peeled a bit off the wall. It doesn't really smell, but my fingers did smell a bit like pine afterwards. I put it on my porch and have been watching it for the last 25 minutes or so. No bugs or other animals have come to eat it or even sniff it. For now my best guess is that it is wood sap/resin. Possibly coming down from my overheated attic or an electrical splice. I am hoping the electrician that installed it will be able to come over tomorrow and take a deeper look.

Edit 3: Just some more info. I very rarely use this light switch. Would it still overheat if it is turned off? It has been pretty hot this week. Yesterday there were storms and my power blipped off for a second or 2. About 2 months ago I was having a lot of power surges but the electric company replaced the neutral wire coming in to the house and I haven't had any issues. I have a Ting device to monitor electric issues and it hasn't alerted me to anything. I noticed the ooze today, but honestly I can't say how long it has been there. I do usually walk by the switch, but I'm not always observant. It has not dripped more since I discovered it today.

I was quoted $4,800 for professional bathroom tile work, and I’m honestly furious looking at this. The grout lines already look uneven, the cuts around the pipe and outlet look rough, the edges don’t feel clean, and parts of the layout look crooked instead of planned. I see gaps, questionable spacing, possible lippage, and unfinished areas that make this feel rushed, not professional. Now the crew is still asking for final payment like I’m supposed to smile and accept it. Am I being scammed, or is this normal? Would you pay for this? Should I stop the job?

I was quoted $3,900 for this fireplace tile job, and I’m honestly furious. I expected clean, professional work, not crooked tiny tiles, uneven grout lines, rough edges against the wood floor, messy spacing, and a finish that looks rushed. The hearth looks wavy, some pieces look sunken or raised, and the cuts around the trim do not look clean at all. The whole pattern feels patchy instead of intentional. Now the crew is still asking for final payment like this is acceptable. Am I being too picky, or does this look sloppy? Would you pay for this? Is this normal?

I was quoted $14,800 for this remodel, and I’m honestly trying to stay calm, but this looks nothing like the “professional clean work” I was promised. I expected careful demo, straight framing, clean cuts, protected floors, and a job site that at least looked controlled. Instead I’m staring at jagged drywall edges, exposed studs, hanging wires, broken pieces everywhere, torn-up ceiling sections, and debris all over the floor like the whole room was ripped apart in a rush.