Baseboard Moldings

That sounds like typical prewar style. It's not uncommon to see baseboards roughly 5" high, often with additional trim that adds another inch or two.

If the baseboards look to big to you, they are too big. You can specify the size to the contractor. After all, you're paying for this.

Assuming that you have a lovely prewar, a nice high, rich baseboard gives you luxe & instant architecture. I just measured mine & it's 9" & looks just grand. Carry a little ruler & start measuring baseboards everywhere you go. It's fine; it's easy to obsess about these little things.

Thanks for the comments. We are moving to a different apartment in our building. Our current baseboard molding (which we did not install) is low and thin (3" x 3/8"), so these more prominent ones really surprised us when we first saw them. I just wanted to make sure our gc didn't go crazy and do some unprecentedly large moldings. It sounds like that is not the case.

Colgin--

Inquirer is right, though--if you don't like the look of the baseboards, that is really what counts. There are numerous styles and sizes to choose from so if these aren't floating your boat for any reason, you should tell your contractor to stop installing them until you can find something you think looks great.

That 3" baseboard is very skimpy. 3" crown molding (at the top of the wall) maybe, but a more substantial baseboard will give you a much nicer look.

Colgin, I'm assuming you have a traditional pre-war apartment; if you're going for a modern look, a very simple 3" baseboard may be all you want.

didn't you go over this with your contractor before he bought and started installing the baseboards?

A taller baseboard -- without rounding -- will give the apartment a more contemporary look.