Placement of shower fittings

You can be sure that it's too much work for him. It is also MORE work. It is on a wall for me, but the same principle. Showerhead at the back of the wall and the control at the shower entrance. My plumber even suggested it that way (he's still an a****).

I don’t see where the extra effort is. The pipe to the fitting is also concealed, just like the pipe from there to the showerhead. Depending on the position of the supply line, it can even be less work because you only need one pipe to the showerhead, but two (hot/cold) to the fitting. It was probably more the fear of deviating from the mainstream than the work.