The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously.
- Henry Kissinger -

Let go of the things you have no control over and focus on coordinating the final work with the GC. There may be things you can do to help.

Your relatives will understand; that's what they're for.

You will successfully adapt to the design of your new house as you have all the other things life has thrown at you while you were making other plans. Be flexible, it's just a house.

It may help to stop from time to time and tell yourself, or anyone who will listen, "God, I love this ... there's nothing I'd rather be doing". It has always worked for me.

For whatever its worth...
can it be done? YES! it can be done if everyone is lined up and things go perfectly.
Will it be done? NO! things won't go perfectly, not everyone's schedule will work, and you probably won't be 100% move in ready in 2 weeks.

don't let it bother you too much. I've learned to let go of these things among constant delays on my build... you will too...

regarding the other questions of size of this, layout of that.... guess what? you can't change it now, you will learn to live with it, and hopefully be happy. If you got the house 85-90% perfect for you, you should be happy. I have 2 layout regrets on my build, can't change them now, overall you have to look at the whole picture and realize you're in a much better space than you were, and most plans aren't perfect, and what is perfect today, is imperfect tomorrow you can't see all possible problems

It certainly can be done...the tile will take the longest, then the hardwoods, carpet takes no time. If your builder gets it all lined up right...ANYTHING can be done. One day, I was at the house and there were about 6 guys doing base and crown, 2 master carpenters doing the fireplace overmantle, panel jambs, wainscoting and all of the built ins in the closet, a guy working on installing the cabinets, and painters working on the exterior! It was crazy, there was a circular saw going in almost every room! BUT...like post above said, it may very well take a little longer. Just mentally prepare yourself. You are so close!! We are about 5 weeks out and while I can't wait to live in our new house...I start hyperventilating thinking about all we have to do between now and then. But it WILL get finished! When the going gets tough...focus on some aspect of your house that your love and think about that. There are things in our layout that would have been nice to change...but it is so much nicer and better suited to our family than our old house! I am focusing on all the positives. Best of luck to you! So exciting!

Be flexible, its just a house.

Thanks Renovator - I needed to hear that!

I agree with Chris K, if you get a house that thisclose to being perfectly designed for your family and your needs, then it really is the perfect house for you. And some of those things that you might have changed or regretted will turn into the quirky things you really love about the house twenty years from now.

By the way, what's "wrong" with corner cabinets and lazy susans? What other options are there?

I understand your stress. January 27, 2010, movers came to our house and packed everything around noon. "Let's go," they said. We said, "What's the hurry? You guys have worked so hard all morning. Why don't you let us buy you lunch?" They gratefully accepted our offer. What they didn't know was the town was doing the final inspection of our new house and we were waiting for the final verdict. If we didn't pass, the stuffs would go to a storage and we to a hotel. During the lunch, we got a call from our builder and it's a good news. So ended the drama.

I guess my suggestion is, "Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst." And the worst is not really that bad; it's just money. Get the money ready and you should feel better.

dapitou, that was sly - nice move! Renovator, I needed to hear that too.
Looks like there are quite a few of us thinking the same way - having to breathe in, then breathe out, then take another step.
We're close to the same boat. This week they gave us 30-days notice on Monday. It's gonna be close!!!!
If we all collectively hang in there together.......

We haven't started building yet, but I understand the stress as we did two major remodeling projects ourselves while living in the homes. The 1st time around we didn't have kids, but we did the 2nd time and it was a lot harder. We also had to deal with a lot of chaos, as my father died, my FIL moved in with us and my hubby and two children and I were crammed into one tiny bedroom to make room for him. We both worked FT and so all the work was done nights and weekends amidst a lot of family stress.

It seems like it just can't work out...but it will! Just hang in there! Even if you have to move in when things are not yet completely done, you can do it (as long as you are allowed to move in, that is).

You cat will be fine (ours were even after an across-country move). Your kid will be fine. And you will love your new house!

Bluekitten! It will all be done soon enough...you are in the home stretch! Renovator8-I will use those quotes as my mantra over the next several weeks as we finish our home. They were great!
Good luck Bluekitten!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I'm feeling better about things than I was at this time last week ... that's progress, right? :) I think we've gotten as close to perfection as mere mortals/first-time builders can.

We hit a snafu with our master bathroom and found out Friday that our shower tile is back ordered until mid-August. Sigh. Since everything in that room was picked based on that tile, we're not changing it now! So, our master bath won't be finished until after we move in. Our builder is mortified; apparently he's never had this situation before.

Anyway, I'm trying to relax because the stress is literally making me sick. I've been in bed since Sunday fighting a simple cold because I'm so tired and worn out.

We haven't started building yet, but I can't help but think that once you move into your beautiful new house you will collapse on the sofa one night sooner after you've moved in and unpacked, and think, "It was all TOTALLY worth it!"