The location of the drain could be a factor. If a tub was removed with a offset drain located 10" from the wall it would be steep behind the drain. The 1/4" per ft. is established at the furthest distance from the drain therefore any distance closer will have more pitch as the perimeter remains level. A photo would help.

Shoulda relocated the drain.

Here is a photo that shows the steepness of the slope. Contractor proposed fixing the problem by putting new floor on top of this one. Is that possible?

I'd bet the waterproofing is inadequate as well. Do you have pictures during construction. That's a complete a do over, and you should look at moving the drain for a trench drain. Not with another hack. With a first rate guy. Who wont be $1.98.

No, the slope should be corrected first. I would not try overlaying the old tile with new. I doubt he would even be able to tie it into the drain properly.

Believe it or not, this is the most expensive and also highly rated home improvement company in my area of NYC. I chose them so I wouldn't have to deal with problems like this. I wonder if I can find someone who will criticize their work.

I had a tile issue with drainage due to slope, well lippage caused dams we think, error. A kerdi rep suggested tiling over existing kerdi pan but from advise here and at the insistence of my terrific GC he had the tiler rip out and reinstall all new walls and floor at no cost to me. To accept less is not getting the brand new shower you are paying for but a problem waiting to happen at full price!

The step down into the shower is hazard. It looks to be six inches, is that correct? Stairs aren't that high. Ask for a full refund and Find another contractor. Refer to the TCNA website more details and assistance in locating a list of contractors to interview in your area. I am sorry you are going through this.

The 7/8" drop over 8" of run could be a bit uncomfortable, especially with the steeper slope running away from the entry and being right on the other side of the curb.

You have valid reasons for getting the floor redone if it does not feel comfortable underfoot.

Since it was mentioned by another poster, as to the "maximum allowable curb height", code requires that the top of the curb not be more than 9" above the height of the drain grate. Between 2" and 9" is the standard set by code.

Also if you are retirement age I would think you Do Not want a curb, but if possible a curb less shower.

Bear in mind that there will be a considerably higher slope to the drain when the drain is close to a wall. Code is that there should be a minimum 1/4" drop from the drain to the farthest corner, and that should dictate a level line around the shower. Obviously, this will make a much higher angle to the "close" wall. It is for this reason that we recommend centering the drain, as to eliminate the high rise at that area.

When all is said and done, it still appears that you have a much higher "rise" there than is appropriate. You would need to measure to the farthest point to determine if the 1/4" per foot applies. At this point, use a level to see if that point matches the height at the nearest point to the drain. If it does, then the tile man did his job.

@ Avanti - Thanks for elaborating on the point I was trying to make earlier. I probably should have taken more time to explain.

I'm sorry but i have to take exception to something said above. Pitch is NOT 1/4" per foot from the curb to the drain. Slope is 1/4" per foot from the furthest wall to the drain, and then leveled around. Now if this drain is at one end of a 5 foot shower, and a foot away from the wall, then the pitch to the drain is 1". That said, the whole shower could be sloped flat from the furthest wall, and level side to side till he got about a foot from the drain, and then just a 1/4" pitch from there, all the way around the drain, and then you don't have that drastic pitch. Bottom line-- I can see why he did it, but there IS a way to avoid it.

Bill, trying to understand this. So, if the pitch is correct from the farthest corner...and you use that as the level line, and you pitch at 1/4: inch as you got to near the drain, then I don't see how the line would be equal all the way around the perimeter of the shower. Looks to me as though the bottom row of wall tiles would be taking a big dip at the area close to the drain. Am I misthinking something here?

If I'm understanding Bill correctly in his scenario the first 4' would be pitched flat as if for a linear drain then tapered 1/4" at the last foot around the drain. Which certainly would work to eliminate the steep pitch at the drain.

CTET-- Exactly.

We lowly tile laborers have it tough in many ways and drain location ranks up there

I have at times passed on jobs where the client or GC didnt want to splurge the few hundred bucks**** to relocate drain, the discussion happens in advance of accepting the job..

In your case I would not allow the Tile over tile and if you cant come to terms and accept a discount id insist on a full gut/redux. No partial attempts .

Grading Can be customized..this beast had over 46" to one corner 30" to the other, a neo angle and the drain in a most unfortunate locale LOL. sometimes I need to eat and take these jobs as a diet challenge thats about 12 60# bags mud there !

In my contract was an $1800 fee for moving any pipes around, which I had to pay whether I chose to move pipes or not. The plumber asked me if I was okay with the drain where it was, followed by a comment that it would be very difficult if not impossible to move the drain, and it would hold up the job. Because the previous bathroom renovation resulted in a perfectly balanced floor -- with all the water gently moving toward the drain -- I thought such an achievement was normal, so why move the drain and get everyone in a tizzy? NO ONE mentioned what the ramifications would be, although I am paying a project manager, a contractor, and various sub-contractors. I have a meeting with the contractor this week to resolve this issue. Is there any simple way to remedy this without a total rip-out? Should I (in my 60's) try to adapt to this?
Maybe this scaled drawing with measurements might be helpful to visualize the situation?

Forgot to mention, the drain head was adjustable for height.

"In my contract was an $1800 fee for moving any pipes around, which I had to pay whether I chose to move pipes or not."

Huh?

And, no, I'd not adjust to that kind of slope.

$1800 to move a drain? I'm in the wrong business! My local plumber generally charges about 5-600 bucks for that...including going up from a 1 1/2" plumbing to 2"....which is what is needed for a shower. Call around.

Trying to adjust your ability to balance in a wet, slippery, soapy shower is a no-go. Even if you choose to do balance exercises (which are a good Idea as we age) it is too dangerous to chance. IMHO

Suzette-- sorry to say this, but you got hosed. He's going to charge you NOT to move the drain? And then tell you it's going to hold up the job if he DOES move it?? This schmoe should have been down the road right then.