Keep it simple! (excuse the silly picture, this was the only good example I could find) You also might want to put furniture against the walls someday, and the large shoe molding can keep things from sitting against the wall correctly. You also don't want it to look like an after thought. With the type of base molding you have right now, a simple Quarter Round will work perfectly, *and probably be more cost effective*.

Agree... we have the same baseboards such as Carly S posted and quarter round will be most cohesive with your baseboard. Not to mention what you have selected would be much harder to keep clean.

Again, pretending like this is the Quarter Round, I would do the transition angled away from the door on the side of the molding, not on the top of the molding angled down (if that makes sense). I think once it is all done, it will be a small detail that's not as noticeable as it is right now!

You wont have that sharp point on the corner that toes love to catch then! It will wear nicer, as well.

Carly is correct.... you will paint the small edge where it needs to be painted. It is nothing at all like the moulding you have posted when quarter round is used.

Agree with Carly. And while probably not needed in your case (as you likely have uniform mouldings throughout), there's this neat little trick when needing to transition between two different mouldings:

I install my base boards and moulding myself. I paint it before I install it. Or I paint the base boards before the flooring is installed if they are on. If you are careful while making the cuts, the paint does not get damaged. It is easier to do a little touch up than paint after installation and get it on the new floor or visa versa.

Use a standard shoe molding. No need to go too fancy as it could distract from your flooring.

If your builder is paying have the base boards scribed to the floor

we primed and painted ours then touched them up after they were installed. A lot easier in my opinion.

We do must of our own building as my husband is very good at it. Gut and do over.... I find it easier to prime and paint first. It was much easier for me on a 2000 sf first floor as I don't have to be on my knees priming then painting and I'm half blind so have to wear glasses! Just my way, not every body might do it this way and I do not paint as a profession :) I dreaded the second floor, but it's done after putting down all the hardwood it looks just beautiful compared to the old short ugly baseboards. Good luck.

I can't believe people are actually recommending 1/4 round vs a shoe molding??? People are so used to seeing things done wrong that they think it is the correct way over the actual correct shoe molding. 1/4 round is a quick fix end of story. Shoe moldings come in different sizes and profiles.

What your contractor needs is a simple pencil scribe and a plane to fit the molding properly. The again look above we are so used to shoddy repairs people are recommending them over proper ones.

You can have your house look like a HD craft project or done correctly. How about some Annie Sloan chalk paint? 1/4 round is for inexperienced homeowners to cover mistakes.

wannabath.... I'm not so sure that is true. Yet, we are entitled to our opinions.

If you live in a very old home and very large home and are replacing baseboard to 5 or 6" and your walls are off kilter as are your wood floors then it works very well to use quarter round get around (meander if you will the nuances of the old home) all these problems of a very, very old home. No, we can't take the walls down and rebuild an old home that has so much charm. Shoe moulding and 1/4 round are kissing cousins with a 90 degree angle on the back side. We originally ordered a more decorative, "shoe moulding" yet it wasn't cohesive to the problems given the age of our home.

On the other hand if your baseboards are short and you use 1/4 round they will look, "fat" so to speak and off balance. It's a preference thing. Not a right or wrong thing.

Who ever Annie Sloans baseboard Wannabath?

I do understand that (did you read response to an unrelated issue) and am in complete agreement with the posting. However, I don't think it is an issue of, "shoe moulding". I think it has taken a turn as it does at times. Janna W should get this done the way she wants it. Trust me on that one! I didn't need to explain my own options and should not have felt I should explain it as it's of no concern yet it is what the situation the brought to the posting when it was posed. It's a new build, yes I know that.... Jenna should get it done with what she wants I agree.... I decorate model homes, I don't do shoe moulding... I have only done what I do in my own home.

***Apologize Janna for this going South... Good luck with your project.

Was rather surprised at the paint job ... Orange peel

I agree with that part lynartist and by no means thought that you personally were being critical .... I agree whole heartedly with what you (most) are saying 100%. This got too far to quarter round vs. shoe moulding.

I think if you want to address the gaps, then the baseboard should be scribed to the floor. If you want to address the stain on the baseboards then they should sand them (to get rid of the globs and orange peel texture) and then repaint them.