Looks like a difficult one, we have this issue sometimes with a tiling equivalent.

If the works done before hand are not straight, flat etc, it can be very difficult and even damaging to try and install something flat over the top (benchtop, tiles etc). We see dodgy plastering jobs that get tiled onto, it is virtually impossible to do a good job if the base work is off. Smaller tiles will show obviously and larger ones will have a great risk of breaking with these small voids under. Therefor the tradie installing the 'aesthetic' aspect cops the brunt of mistakes made by the trades before hand. It can thus be difficult to blame them for this, as it doesn't necessarily indicate their poor workmanship.

However, if you are paying a professional to do what it takes to complete the job in a high quality manner, then there is always a way to fix this ($$$). If it was going to be a foreseeable problem, and cost you more money, he could have asked you if you would like him to make more expensive changes to achieve the perfect finish, or continue as is at the risk of it being sub-par finish. That should have been your choice to make on consolidation.

So it is a tricky one for sure!

Are the cabinets below new or is it just a new benchtop?

Thank you for the info! Handy insights.

At the initial consultation I asked if any work would be needed on the cabinets. I was told they were in suitable condition and no replacements/repairs were needed.

We ended up installing one new cabinet but the rest were existing.

In future I'll be sure to triple check the cabinet situation with them so I know in advance.

Would you say in your experience that the level of finish in the job is pretty standard/acceptable?

Do you have an image of the space as a whole? Eye level & birds eye views would help to discern properly. I'll definitely give you that the finish is messy and heavy handed, but if it looks OK from above it might be standard.

Without the benefit of knowing what it looked like before, I still have to say that looks like a sloppy job to me. I don't ever accept anything less than a good job.