I meant installed on my bathroom and shower floor! Please see my photbucket album for pictures.

http://s940.photobucket.com/albums/ad250/erj_photo/

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of my bathroom remodel

If he used epoxy grout, he may be able to soften it slightly with a heat gun. If he used regular grout he'll probably need to use a solution of muriatic acid to remove it, which will damage the finish on your marble tiles.

Either way - he needs to fix it. If he refuses then tell him you will contact 3 other tile installers, get their bids to repair the work, and be forced to subtract that cost from his payment.

Leaving the grout in place for so long is definitely the problem here, it has now hardened to where it will be very, very difficult to remove. Simply put - he screwed up.

And I thought I did bad work after drinking a case of beer and not sleeping for three days. While splitting my work hours with one eye on the tiling job and two eyes on the portable TV I brought to work with me so I could watch playoff baseball. All while minding my three toddlers that I had to bring on the job because I forgot where their daycare was located. While blind in one eye. And with my left arm in a cast and my right arm in a sling. While working barefoot. On an empty stomach.

Okay.

My question to him is "why" does he feel that this is the best that can be done?

If it's because he has limited talent, he should have forewarned you.

If it is because of limitations with the material, he should have forewarned you.

But on the whole, no it is not acceptable. Repairs could alter what you have; losing the "polished finish" for example. Replacement, as has been mentioned, may be the best option.

This is just an example of a super lazy clean up job. I didn't know better when we built our house 13 years ago and I put 12" marble tiles in our master bath. After they were installed, thin grout smears were everywhere. Got the sob story from the tile layer and he says he can clean it off with a razor blade. Was I gullible. Builder ended up having to have the marble resealed because of the doofus. I know clean up is a pain, but gee whiz, you are getting paid to do a job. If it doesn't pay well, get a different job but don't do a bad job.
Sorry about your trouble. This needs to be fixed the right way. Good luck.

Here are your pictures so it's easier for people to see them:

If it makes you feel any better, it'll be beautiful once it's done properly. :(

I am having the exact same problem...Since this posting is 3 years old, how did you get it fixed? or did you have to get them redone!

Thank you...