I would ask them why they put the additional trim piece on there in the first place and request that they take it off all together in order to have a clean, finished look. Request that they also repair any damage or poor craftsmanship on the flooring that they might be trying to conceal and cover up.

You say it is new construction? I absolutely think you have an issue (or two) here. From your pictures it looks like a rehab. Are those the finished walls? What is under the paper on the floor?

The response I received was the following:

'¼ round is standard installation practice on wood or vinyl floors. What you may be looking at on the models is ceramic tile/simulated wood which receives grout not ¼ round or wide base which is an upgrade/option shown in the 3 plan model.'

Then after I told him about the response I've been receiving here (I have it under design dilemmas as well) about it NOT being acceptable installation:

'I have been in the homebuilding industry since 1965 and worked with 6 different builders and flooring companies. Without exception, this is how it has always been done on wood floors and vinyl floors. In fact, I have never even received a request to do it any other way. Jim – Your thoughts?' (FYI: Jim is from the Design Center where I ordered my flooring -Bernini from the Studio Moderno Line from Provenza).

Tell them to fix it ASAP!

OK, but what would a 'fix' look like to you? I have builders commenting that there is no other way. I don't get it!

Here is an article which explains your situation...you can read and decide.

My personal complaint about your molding is the mix...the bottom 1/4" round looks like an after thought. What would the molding look like with out it? Too much stuff going on, IMO, and it is going to be hard to keep clean.

http://remodelingguy.net/2009/03/baseboards-and-shoe-moldings-and-quarter-rounds-oh-my/

That final piece is not quarter round it's shoe molding. It IS common to use it on hardwood and vinyl because long runs of base will reveal gaps between the base and floor. Floors aren't always perfectly level and even if they are after install, they will not remain perfectly level due to settling. Shoe molding conforms to the floor better and hides that gap along with keeping out dirt, crumbs, lint, etc. Also, it protects the base from damage and is much cheaper to replace due to damage than the base itself. The shoe is usually installed the other direction (taller side to the base), however trim is also heavily influenced by opinion. You've taken the correct step by discussing it with the builder. Being that it's standard practice, and it may have been necessary for covering gaps, it is something that you will need to find a compromise on with the builder. It's your house and you have final say, but keep in mind that contracts and how they are written dictate what it will cost to have it done differently if that is the route you choose. Hope this is more helpful than "Tell them to fix it ASAP".

It's possible you have floating wood floor. Which means you must leave more space against wall as they need to breath/move. Not sure if you are questioning qtr round shud be there at all ? or the quality? Or proportions? But qtr end shud be there

kbigelo- what was the outcome of this dilemma?