That is just a terrible job. No two ways about it.

Thank you for your comment. The marble came on sheets, so the grout line thickness was pre-determined by that. I asked the tile installer about the wall and he said the wall didn't have any issue. I agree that the light definitely highlights the issue more as without it, it is not very noticeable with the regular kitchen lights in use.

I guess i'm debating if I have any recourse with the installer...

Way too much lippage; it is screaming for a redo.

"The installer told me it was a result of inconsistent tile and perhaps they were meant to show a "textured appearance"."

Awful workmanship.

It isnt a good tile job. I would want it redone.

The groutlines appear to be appropriate for the tiles. What are the manufacturers specifications for that particular tile?

I think the grout line size is fine too. It's more the Lippage. These are 2x6 marble Subway tiles on a mosaic sheet. Thickness is 3/8.

I don't see how it's possible to have that much lippage on a backed tile without there being inconsistencies in the tile. If you hold a straightedge on a leftover sheet on a flat surface, you don't see variation?

The level lays flat on the remaining sheets I have and I would say it's overall quite level no matter the direction I lay the level over the tiles.

I would want it redone. It appears that there is not an issue with the actual tile - and even if there had been an issue, your tile setter should have told you as soon as he/she identified a problem. I believe the tile manufacturer‘s conclusion would be installation error.

Is there a written agreement covering the installation of the tile? Don’t panic if the answer is ”no.” Many people on Houzz will ”advise” an OP that he/she has no recourse without one - however, that is not necessarily true. Most states (I haven’t researched this issue in every jurisdiction so I cannot use the word ”all”) have statutory provisions specifically addressing home renovations.

my installer is saying that because the mosaic backing of the tile doesn't extend past the ends of the tiles, the adjoining pieces of two sheets don't have backing, which is causing the lippage. I can't see that causing that much lippage though.

Sean - I’ve previously had mosaic tile installed that is EXACTLY the same re: tile extending past the edge of the mesh backing - and no lippage issues created. Also, I have two new mosaic tiles that I’m using in two bathroom renovations - and they BOTH are made the same exact way. I think this is typically how mosaic tile is installed on mesh backing.

They are simply making an excuse - and hoping that you will accept it.

These are the two new tiles I’m having installed (the spacing between the individual tiles looks uneven in some spots because the mosaic sheets are not laying on a flat surface)

Notice that the tiles extend past the mesh backing along all four sides

This sheet has some individual tiles removed - using them to replace some tiles on the sheet I’m actually having installed - but you can still see how the tiles along the edges extend past the mesh backing

The mesh backing isn’t very thick - adjusting the amount of thinset used will make the edges even anyway.

Thank you for your response. The fact that the backing is implemented the same across all the tiles, should've been an indication to the installer that he may need to compensate a little when installing. I agree that he's looking for a way to pass the blame to the tile, but it comes down to an installation issue.

I'm not sure I want the same installer to fix this, so I'm looking to proceed with getting a credit and finding a more reliable installer. It's a shame because the person I chose was highly recommended and was actually pleasant to work with.

The installer shoukd be ashamed.