I had my tub taken out and a new tub installed by a plumber and tile put in by a tile person. The job has not gone well (the tub was damaged & the damage covered up and the tile person put two different shades of white tile in the tub area.

The plumber is going to replace the tub (has several dings and has never been used).

The tile company will be removing approximately 60 off color tiles ( 6" x 6", Daltile) and will also have to remove two rows of tile at the edge of the tub. The tile person is going to try and do this without taking all the tile out.

1. What are the chances if all the tile is not removed that they will be able to match the tile not removed (approximately half of the tile has to be replaced along with the trim).
The original tile work was completed 1/11/08 and this rework is being done under a "guarantee" after several weeks of pursuing a resolution to the unacceptable work.

2. Why is the grout starting to crack and do I need to be concerned?? The tub area does not have water hooked up to it and has not been used since this work originally started (12/2007). Just after the work was done there were not cracks. The cracks are just now starting to appear and at this time are in the two back corners.

Any information will be helpful. Thanks.

Sounds like you also have two less than stellar installers too. The tiles might be removerde successfully without disturbibg the others but its dicey. You must remove the tile and the adhesive under it anything can happen when you start scraping the adhesive. Your grout is cracking because something is moving in the wall or with the tub. What backer was used under the tile and where exactly are the cracks?

The chance of matching tiles after several years is almost nil. Manufacturers keep changing colors. Even if the original tiles are available, the tile man doesn't want to spend a week running around trying to match color. You will probably do better grabbing an old tile and hitting the tile wholesaler yourself. Some can recognize the brand.

I think the tile was just done last month "original tile work was completed 1/11/08 " so maybe color matching won't be a big issue. I just bought 10 cases of tile at Menards, hauled it 140 miles and went to install before noticing there were two different lot numbers. Colors were slightly different but the tile color was very mottled so it does matter. Much.

I would have all tile removed and durock installed as a backer (if you didn't have it already) and replaced with all new tile with same lot# on all boxes.