Sorry, pics didn't post. They might be too big. I'll shrink them and try again.

The wall with the insulation is an exterior wall, one side wall is next to the toilet room and the other side was is next to a closet. The footprint of the shower did not change at all.

The boards have "hardi backer wet area cement board" printed on them. There was a box of screws on the vanity:

I guess my questions at this point are:

1. Are the hardi boards being attached properly?

2. Does the contractor need to slice the paper on the insulation? I can't remember the rules on that. Maybe that only needs to happen if there's poly behind?

Pros: Please hang with me on this thread. Each day I am planning to post what the crew did that day and ask if there is anything I need to talk to them about. My friend is off the grid in a very remote place and if there are any concerns about waterproofing, I want to nip them in the bud.

How should the next section of hardie boards be arranged? I think I remember someone on a thread explaining that they should be staggered, so that there aren't any places where corners come together. Is that correct?

Darn, when I saw someone had responded I thought I'd get an answer to my question! No new pictures today bc they were still working when we went over there and I didn't want to interrupt them. But I did peek in, and there was a person welding something in the shower so I guess that's plumbing. And no more hardie boards had been added. So I'll look at it again tomorrow and try to get a pic.

Ut-oh, I think I need a pro to talk to me. The boards aren't supposed to be embedded down in the mud bed like that are they? If this is wrong, I need to talk to the foreman about it tomorrow. Here's the same pic from yesterday, but cropped to show what I'm talking about. I printed out the Hardie instructions, but I don't really understand them. I read the TCNA handbook a long time ago, so I can't remember, but isn't there a rule about not putting the boards in the mud? If someone could clear this up for me tonight, I'll talk with the foreman tomorrow.

You'll probably get better responses on the John Bridge forum, if you haven't gone over there yet. They specialize in all things tile, including correct shower construction.

I'm concerned that I'm not getting any answers here.

If this is done wrong I would like to know. She's overseas for work in a totally off the grid and remote place, and I can't even communicate with her until her location changes and she has some cell service. I'm not "in charge" of this remodel, but if there is something wrong, I can't un-see it, so I would like to address it with the foreman if needed.

Wish I could help but I’m posting to help it bump up. I’m hoping a pro sees and responds.

Can you change the title to I need a Pro to advice on bath Reno ASAP

Maybe go to one of the pros that you like personal page, just click on their profile pic and on their profile page there is a contact button at the bottom to send a message.

Try the John Bridge forums!

I agree - if you google your issue "hardie board in mud bed" you will get directed to a forum of pros who can help you.

Why not just discuss your concerns with the foreman anyway? Then they can get resolved if anything is wrong right then and there and they don't have to tear out if something is wrong wasting time.

Help her by getting her a new shiny drain :)