How long ago was the tile set? Is it grouted?

Once installed and set, there's little you can do to remedy the situation without destroying and restarting, which can get expensive. It would be natural for a tiler to presume staggered unless you provided specific insructions.

Please share pictures, we can comment on it's look although what really matters is your opinion.

So you didn't know they were going to be tiling? That's rather unfortunate.

I can’t believe they didn’t ask first! Is this the only tile work they are doing for you or do you have more going in for bathrooms/fireplace etc? You probably can’t save the tile and re-orient. Can you post a picture?

May we please see photos? Sometimes stacked tile can look boring. The brick pattern cam be very nice. It depends on the design of the kitchen. And yes, I do agree you should have what you want, but again, photos would help. you will not be able to remove these and use them again.p, sorry to say

Do over is likely. New tile, new install Life is harsh, (especially right now ) . That said?

When you build, and you have no designer monitoring ?You are the designer. Should they have made their own decision regarding your tile? No, maybe not in YOUR mind. . However, a builder, a foreman, has a tile SUB. He uses the sub, pays the sub.........and if you don't have something in WRITING, REGARDING THE TILE INSTALLATION? That sub will use his "best" judgement and tile will be installed because time is money. The builders money. . Where were the written instructions, that you wanted the tile stacked? A stacked installation is far less common than offset, and that it IS very much a "proper" way to install a 4 x 12,.........unless you specify in WRITING , something else and in this case, stacked.. Unless the detailed instructions are WITH the tile, with the builder. with his foreman and on the site for the sub and clearly marked/available etc?. Sorry. It appears to be on you. Bummer. Or.....$$$$$$

Is this a custom build with a licensed architect or is it a tract home?

Personally, I don’t like stacked tiles and would prefer staggered. It’s possible that this isn’t the disaster you think it is. Pics would help determine that, though.

You want stacked. Remove the tile. At least one. Determine the method and product necessary to clean off the residue. Calculate the time. This tells you if new tile is more cost effective. Make your determination. Get the job completed. Move forward to your long-term goal and enjoyment.. . . .Don't inject anything else into this process until it's complete.

What type of written and illustrated design instruction was provided on the front end?

Project Documentation Samples · More Info

It isn't really practical to remove the tile without damage. The backsplash would really have to be redone. I agree with one of the other posters. Unless you specified a stacked pattern the natural installation would be a staggered (running) bond. Let us know what you decide to do.

Sofia, why don’t you post some images.

The truth is it is almost impossible to remove and re-use glass tile. This would be a tear down. Ask yourself if you’d rather do that now, while your space is under construction, or later.

Sorry but this is on you . If wanted stacked then that should have been discussed with the tiler and if wasn’t he did what he always does . Yes he should have asked but really you should have made it clear. Now you either live with it or take the hit and remove and start over all on your dime.

I have 4"x 8" tiles on my kitchen floor. I wanted a basket weave design so I gave my tiler a picture of how I wanted the tiles installed. I didn't just tell him basket weave, the picture answered all his questions.

I prefer a brick-joint pattern (staggered). The stacked tile look is trendy and hip right now, came into fashion about 2018, and will pinpoint your backsplash into a specific 6-8 year time period. And even moreso if you are using the narrow elongated tile. The contractor has done you a favor.

If you want something else, you’re going to have to pay demo costs, all new tile, and all new labor. It’s always on you to communicate and verify. A simple drawing would have done it.

Thanks for everyone's input. This is a custom build. The same sub did all the bathrooms and floor tiles as well and he would ALWAYS call me and text me beforehand to confirm orientation of the tile. The paperwork/directions to the sub were that he was to contact me prior to installing kitchen backsplash. I'm not sure what happened because he went ahead and did it without even notifying me first. It's more of a modern contemporary home with clean lines (I've always preferred this look so don't care about trends) and the staggered look did not fit at all. He apologized and tore off the tile (next day) and said he will purchase new tile and place it stacked. I bought extra to begin with and he layered whatever tile was left over on the bottom so you can see how the tile actually looks...Heartbreaking to see the underlying damage to the wall...

It sounds like you got a good resolution to the situation and that the sub sounds like a reputable and honest person. Good luck on the rest of the project!

Wow, you really owe him big time.

If this is a custom build who is GC, project manager, who did all the specs? Glad you got a resolution!

Thank you so much Beth that's a great idea and I will definitely ask about putting them higher up!

The glass tile is MSI Ice Bevel 4x12. The edging/border will be a thin schluter jolly.

perfect. might as well turn a negative into a positive as long as the wall is already torn up.

sounds like you've got it under control. Jolly is perfect.

post a pic when done.

Beth, she does owe him big time! Geesh. Just calling ahead of time is not A contract or written order. I’d like to see the before pic. It’s your kitchen, but with so many vertical lines in the cabinets and drawers and doors/drawer pulls, the brick pattern could have helped to break up the linear look. But hey, be happy! You will get what you want, which is great!!!!. But I’d certainly give this guy a big tip, especially in a time when lots of people are out of work.

@km kane No I'm sorry I do not owe anyone anything. I'm building a CUSTOM home and paid lots of $$$ for that tile and I am paying an arm and a leg to get it installed through the builder. He's a nice guy but the signed order/instructions clearly state he had to contact me prior to installing and I even sent him pics with the stacked tile several weeks ago to inquire about grout selection. He contacted me beforehand for each and every bathroom he did (and I have 5 of those with yes STACKED tiles) and I have absolutely no idea why he went ahead and did the kitchen staggered without my input. The staggered look drove me nuts and that is not how I designed my kitchen. Now my walls may be messed up and it will definitely delay things. But I'm a reasonable person and I understand mistakes will happen during a build. But of course with the money and time I am spending I expect them to be corrected.

kmkane,,As I stated, she said It's written IN the contract that he must call her for instructions BEFORE he tiles.

So, not sure why you think she still owes him. As she stated, he did exactly that on 5 separate occasions. He flubbed this time. She owes him nothing.

(sofia, you're understanding and I'm glad he owned up to it. other than the delay, it will work out fine)

100% agree Beth couldn't have said it better myself except to add time in addition to money as well....

hemina, very nice of you. t.y.

At the end of the day, you're tile guy did right by you. He owned up for his mistake and ate the cost. People especially now have so much on their minds and stuff they are dealing with personally that mistakes happen. I consider the fact that he/she is going to make it right at no extra cost a win! A delay won't be the end of the world and you'll still get the kitchen you love.

The problem is the so called pros don't answer the question insteaad they want to be investigators and go off on tangents re issues that are bothering them.

The question was simply can you remove the tile. The answer is NO. When she asks how to deal with the contractor then thats will be another topic.

By the way the picture with the standard outlet sunk into a tile is not a good installed with the power of the internet might not even be real. How would you service the box or outlet? They sell specific outlets with their associated boxes for that the of install. Bocci is one of the msg's. Also the Switchplate Lady can match any faceplate to just about any surrounding.

Its always wise to ask the contractor before asking the forum.

Oh man @wakokid I need to do actual work today, but soon I’ll be doing some stylometry analysis instead.