What will the future bring? Walls move, additions are put up, houses change in ways we in the present cannot foresee. It could be the braces currently are a builders nuisance but the future may have a role for the braces. Besides the builder took a job to deal with a frame so he should deal, one thing about building trades is that everyone with a sawzall will "redesign" with only personal convenience in mind, no thought for future possibilities. Stand firm Tim.