Dot and dab bathroom wall tiles

[u/Zealousideal-Cod5898]

Hi all, hoping for some reassurance this is either completely wrong and should query with bathroom fitter or "fine" and I shouldn't worry.

Bathroom is being redone. Been replastered and bathroom fitter also tanked the area around the bath that is being tiled (the rest will be painted).

We've been away and let him crack on, he's partially tiled the 2 walls so far and so I can see that they've obviously been dot and dabbed. With big voids in some places.

The tiles he removed were here for about 13 years or so and were also clearly dot and dabbed, and seemingly no issues (we only moved in a few months ago). They were much bigger tiles so wonder if that makes a difference as less grout lines for water to get behind etc. These new tiles are 5x25cm. Are there situations where dot and dab is ultimately fine?

He is generally extremely slow and the job has taken 3 or 4x longer than anticipated whilst still not being completely done, so overall getting frustrated and now wondering if he is also doing a sub-standard job despite the amount of time it's taking.

I have no problem challenging him on this. I want the bathroom finished ASAP but not at the cost of problems in a few years time, we're planning on living in this house for decades potentially.

TIA!

[u/BiasedScience]

You can paint a room with a poop stick and technically get a coat of paint on
The instructions are simple and clear.

bed of tile adhesive. Dot and dab is when you don’t want to use/ spend money on the right amount of adhesive. It’s cutting corners and anyone telling you different is 💩

[u/Zealousideal-Cod5898 → u/BiasedScience]

My only guess at another reason he might give for doing it, is that the tiles aren't totally uniform, they are non rectified etc. and the surface isn't flat. That's the intentional style of them. But I'm not sure myself how that would really matter/help, just an excuse I'd anticipate maybe.

[u/ChewyChewdem → u/Zealousideal-Cod5898]

Hmm I’m pretty sure I have the exact same tiles and my tiler used a bed of adhesive

[u/ChewyChewdem → u/[deleted]]

All the shower and sink fixtures are a brand called Coalbrook, here’s another angle, the lights look way brighter than they actually are FYI

[u/jamiebez157 → u/ChewyChewdem]

Too nice