I'm too nice, my wife is not
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For reference, this is what my FIL had done* and is what I am expecting... slightly different tile, but same size tile.

*the guy who did theirs is notoriously slow/OCD, like 3 days staying until 9pm each day, cutting each tile. That's who we requested but he was not available based on scheduling.
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The first guy didn't know what he was doing and was probably trying to save tile by using scraps. Where those 1" pieces were could have been a single piece. Setting tile is all about planning. Start right, end right.
The dings in the counter are unacceptable. It's a brand new counter ferchissakes. It should have been covered by a tarp. Let your wife handle it and do not give them another red cent until it's done. It's not difficult but you have to know how. The counter people should do it and the cost deducted from the tile job payment.
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Yes they had a tarp but a thin one it seems, and if you dropped the previous 3x3 tiles just right, I can see how the dings happen. They are Cambria countertops so they will fix it (and the cost out of the installation job).
Your tile comments are spot on. It's about planning, and the 2nd time around I talked through the strategy with the guy. I'll be sure to post after pics later today when the grout is done.







