Somebody doesn’t own a level. What did he put in the gap? Caulk?

Hired a friend? Mistake #1.

Hope you saved a lot of money...

I know I know. Of course I was trying to do the nice thing by putting money in his pocket than someone else's. I'm not sure what it is- but my hardware in result is off centered- and I'm thinking because of that? I'm really looking for a way to bring this up...and know what I'm talking about besides looking at the obvious!!!!

Kate:

The only way that's cost effectively fixable is to fabricate and install a solid surface escutcheon that covers the old holes and to which the relocated faucet and spout attach.

Explain your issues, (he already knows- who wouldn't), if he doesn't offer to completly redo it at his cost- tell him to walk away unpaid and get a real pro and start over, I would worry about every other thing he did if this is an example of his work.

omg people. this is her friend! do not ruin a friendship over this. no one, including you, will notice this unless you are taking a bath in the tub.

It also looks like if he would have lined up the handle and faucet with the tub, it would be off to the right of the surround, which would look even worse.

let it go, live with it, keep your friend.

And hopefully the fact that the tub is not level and is probably improperly supported won’t result in cracks in a year or two. Because then you get to ugly patch it and add another ugly to this already ugly work. That would be structural.

Education is expensive. Accept crappy work that you may have to redo in order to avoid water damage? Or lose a friend due to their inability to do quality work?

As in, is this guy really is a licensed and insured contractor? And that is what he did? He needs to be taken off the street for the good of the rest of the poor souls who might think of hiring him. I’d lose the friend and do the world at Large a favor. Because I call people on their bullcrap. And I think this guy is a know nothing uninsured handyman. Not a real contractor.

Off-center - if you had walked into the home for the first time when you were home shopping, you probably would have never noticed this. Watching a remodel is like watching the sausage being made - which is why remodeling is harder than new construction. If you don't want to rip it out, replace the tub overflow with a white one.

I see the lack of vertical alignment between the drain and the tub filler/valve/and shower head a lot in new construction. The wall mounted items are centered on the overall tub and enclosure and the drain and overflow are centered on the well of the tub, which will be off-center from the whole enclosure because the outer rim is much wider than the rim against the wall.

In these interlocking enclosures I have also seen uneven margins and it could be that the tub is level but the wall is out of alignment so the enclosure is pitched slightly toward the right wall. It really may not cause any functional problems, just esthetic ones. I also think the caulk in the joint will do more harm than good.

I am not excusing any of this but I can see exactly how this happens, and I have seen variations of it in lots of builder houses.

He is licensed and insured. He did a wonderful job with the rest of my bathroom. It's beautiful besides this which is why I am trying to let it go. We are remodeling most of our house for resale in 2 or less years. I will only have to deal with it til then. I just was unsure if this was huge and would cause problems for us. I also won't ruin a friendship over this- 10 years of friendship- and his significant other is one of my best friends. Which is why I wanted to put the money in their pocket. :/

It is up to you, of course, how you handle this, but, while you are mulling it over, but do something with fantastic shower curtains. Love this photo with two curtains (info says purchased at Home Goods).

A shower curtain and some clear silicone and call it a day or ruin a friendship your choice.

Little more caulk to the left, please. That void is gonna fill with crud.

This screw-up started at the plumbing rough-in, unless the plumbing rough-in wasn't changed.

If he/she is a real friend, they wouldn't want you to pay them for their mistake and if they are professional, they would want to learn from it. I couldn't sleep knowing I made a mistake like this for a friend, client, or anyone. It doesn't have to ruin a friendship in total but you will know a lot more about this person and the type of "friend" they are to others after you respectfully decline payment. People should not have to pay for others mistakes.

Remodeling for resale is an HGTV myth. Remodels lose money. They do not make money. They are an expense, and the most successful only recuperate 80% of the funds that you spend. Not 159% like silly TV shows would have it be.

Bear in mind that you are already losing money on this. How much more do you want to bleed? Unless this is an entry level house? That will be a ding at resale from both the technically poor work, and the wrong aesthetic choice. If it’s a builder entry home, you might slide by without too much of a ding.

If a buyer does not notice during walk through, the home inspector most certainly will so be prepared to negotiate price to compensate for this at closing. Friend or not if you did not receive a discount for using a friend you deserve one now if you chose to live with it. Good luck.

This isn't really an inspection issue is it? These things are not required to line up. In fact I've seen the controls intentionally offset toward the outside in newer construction.

I more or less thought it was just a cosmetic issue....

I haven't read all the responses. Get your friend to pick up a white overflow cover from Lowes for 20 bucks. This will minimize the visual impact of the off-center tub. Then live with it (assuming your friendship is important).

I prefer not to work with friends for this reason. When asked to do work for friends or family I provide a free recommendation to a qualified professional. It is never worth the risk.

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If a buyer does not notice during walk through, the home inspector most certainly will so be prepared to negotiate price to compensate for this at closing.

I am not sure what defect you are referring to with this particular post, but if it is that off-center overflow valve, that is not a defect, and it is plainly visible prior to the offer being made.

You are not supposed to be able to renegotiate an offer based on something that is clearly visible in any normal circumstance. Not that it always happens that way, but really once your buyer has invested in an inspection you have some power to tell them to go pound sand over visible cosmetic issues.

At least have him remove the existing caulk and put in some backer rod to caulk to so you don't have 95 lbs of caulk in that gap. When he's finished it needs to be smooth and neat.

The out of level issue is the bigger issue. The other is comedic. Find out what is the culprit on that. The walls or the tub. The walls are the lesser issue. If it’s the tub, then it probably was not set and supported correctly. That’s s much bigger deal, and a much bigger risk.

Bry911 and Pal, I was less concerned with the spout not lining up and more concerned with the uneven caulk line. That looks like it could be a structural issue and problem later.

The first thing I noticed was the widening join between the panel and tub. It took me a much use to see the off centered mess. I would look up the tub manufacturere's specs online, and verify that it was done correctly.

Both issues would drive me nuts.