If it's in writing, the GC has to replace those!

Absolutely! Is it in the plans, or the contract? Maybe even an email? As long as it's in writing somewhere!

yep - if it in the specs, builder has to give you brushed nickle. But, if the specs don't say "Moen brushed nickle", he could go with brushed nickle from another company. Sounds like maybe your builder is trying to cheap out on you but the reason why things are put in writing is so neither side can later say "I thought we agreed on...."

Yes it is in the specs, I even double checked myself to make sure I wasn't crazy.
Bevangel- yes i think that is what he is trying to do, he has definitely fallen on some financial hardships and is ready for this project to be done. That is not my fault though!! It doesn't even have to be "Moen", that is the brand he uses, i just want it to be brushed nickel as we agreed upon.
Thanks for the support, getting to my wits end as this house is getting closer to completion

OTOH, his mistake gives you a good lever to get a much better price. Matchy-matchy isn't the big deal it once was.

On a brass fixture, chrome plating is applied over nickel plating so the story that nickel is more expensive doesn't make sense (unless the fixture is not brass). I suspect the contractor's odd actions have to do with increasing his profit.

Brushed nickel simply has a matte lacquer coating applied over a nickel plating so it looks a lot like many other so-called brushed or matte finishes.

IMHO Nickel is such a distinctive, soft, and beautiful finish that it seems a shame to coat it with anything and brushed or matte chrome seems expensive and a bit utilitarian.

Historically nickel has been preferred but it did not last as long as chrome so it dropped out of favor but that is no longer the case with modern plating processes.

macv, you may well be right on the process and the cost not making sense, but brushed nickel is almost always a premium cost over any kind of chrome.

To the op, make sure he does not swap out the Moens for some brand that has plastic innards. You won't be happy in the long run.

Maybe he is color blind? Brushed nickle and brushed chrome can look very similar if the light is not right....

I agree with worthy. If the brushed chrome looks ok with the brushed nickle fixtures, you might be able to get some price reduction rather than making him change them out then change them out yourself a few years from now. Just a thought.

well what we decided on was to leave those as such and move the faucets from the master bath to the basement bath and order the brushed nickel for the master bath. So I am being flexible with him. I guess you can't win everything

I would still get compensated for the diff. in prices....that would be fair all around.