I hired a local handy man recommended by a colleague of mine to install a new bathroom. He claims to be a laid off and insured, licence plumber. Anyhow, this bathroom replaces a previous smaller bathroom and closet. The bathroom and closet had once shared an interior wall and it has been taken down. At the far end of the room will be installed a two person shower with 2x2 ceramic tile floor and 18x18 travertine tile cut into 9x18 rectangles for the wall. There is a 14 inch deep bench along one of the three shower walls. The fourth wall facing the bathroom is glass and it includes a hinged door.

At the start of this project the contractor presented me a list of materials which I arranged for. Everything was delivered and he was to complete the project over a two week time period while I and my fiancee were away on vacation. I returned from our trip to find him barely half finished... okay, maybe it's more like a quarter finished. Yes, I'm frustrated with the delays and his excuses, but I can deal with that. My question for you... how concerned should I be that cement board or no other tile backerboard was used on the shower walls? When I originally discussed this project with our contractor he explained that cement board would be used on the shower floor and walls. Instead, he has only used cement board on the floor - in fact, the entire bathroom floor (not just the shower).

I've also noticed that he's used no rubber water barrier under the shower floor. It seems he's only used cement board.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.