I would have him redo it after you move in. It would not be that different from renovating while you live in the house. You could set up a temporary pantry somewhere else.

Get it the way you want it. I think a well designed pantry is pretty important to kitchen happiness. Don't be afraid to say something. This is your chance to speak up. DH will get over it.

Deep breaths.

Best of luck.

I'm so sorry. Get it done! 24" deep is impractical for finding what you need and accessing your items, the depth is eating up precious floor space and most importantly, it will make you sad every time you see it.

For what it is worth, I think done to move in and DONE are two different things. If you rush everything at this point you're not going to be happy somewhere along the way and the pantry may just be the thing now.

I think I would review what needs to be completed to be DONE and determine from there what needs to be complete to move in, then do the move in items during the 6 weeks and make a schedule for getting the rest DONE. Trying to work with no margin for error could prove foolish for both you and your builder.

As far as the pantry goes, get it done the way you want it on whatever timeframe works for you and your builder. I have 24" deep shelves in my current pantry and everything gets lost, out dated, etc. I can't wait to change it.

(((((((((((((((((cyber hugs)))))))))))))))))))

You must be really bummed, but this is only a little glitch.
I agree that since you have to move in, get there but be
sure to have in your contract that you want the pantry
changed. It will be easier to do it now. And start gathering
images of pantries so that your builder understands what
you want in that space.

This may be a blessing in disguise. Especially if you
are having the changes once you move in. You will be there
to oversee some changes and meanwhile you can start thinking
about the space in terms of actual use. Don't give up
on your pantry dream. This could be a cause for celebration
you can start thinking about where you want to keep
your mixer, your linens, maybe those fantastic martini
glasses and of course your canned goods.

~boxer

Talk to your builder. I don't think changing the pantry is that big of a time consumer. I think they did mine in just a few hours(built-not painted) Mine is a walkin "U" with 12"-18" shelves all the way around.

You will hate 24" deep shelves!!! I had that in my old pantry. You can't find stuff in the back. I was constantly reorganizing and throwing out expired stuff that got "lost"

If he says no time before move, make it clear that you expect him to fix it quickly after the move.

Thanks so much, everyone. This is the only place I can truly get understanding and sympathy about something like this! Now I don't feel like I'm overreacting. And thanks to all of your responses, my husband now understands that it should change. Now I just need to break the news to the builder and see what he says.
Thanks again!!

I agree -- 24" deep shelves are too deep to be practical. While you can use some rollouts or baskets or even have some deeper shelves for appliances or larger storage, don't try to live with 24" shelves for the majority. Once you put things on the shelves, it's going to become a lit harder to overcome inertia and take everything out and redo it. If you try to store food there, yu are likely to loose time, patience and money there (stuff buried in the back that goes bad -- trust me, happened with baskets I could pull out and shelves that weren't that deep). So much easier and nicer to get it right and enjoy it. Move in if you need to -- you can live without the pantry for the few days it will take to get it redone -- even a bit more if paint has to cure.

i'd be concerned that he will take the time table for you to move in to skip over things, not do them correctly etc. I'd be sure he knows that you expect it all done correctly.

things that arise that can be put off til after move in might be better to do so. if some trimwork needs to wait etc, then let it wait.

Move-in has nothing to do with the end of the project when you are doing a large project. Many people move in before they are completely finished. You should not confuse MOVE IN with the END OF THE PROJECT. It is hard to live in a house with the contractor lurking around, but this is a common thing that happens in a large construction project.

You need to talk to the builder and help him figure out where he needs to concenrate so you can move in on time. Tell him that the pantry will be fixed after the move in. Work with the builder so you can move in on time and still have what you want. For example, you can do the trim and moulding (if you can live with some sawdust), fixtures, etc after you move in but you can't finish the floor after you move in so that is a must. Painting is more difficult with your stuff but it can be done. The exterior of the house can be done quite easily while you live there if there is still painting or trim work to be done. (How did you do the exterior paint in the winter?)

Find out what is requred for you to get the certificate of occupancy so that the builder can work to satisfy that before dealing with things like pantry.

Don't let the contractor bully you into accepting what you don't like/want. You are paying his paycheck.

If it was me, I would work on what I really want even though there will be guys around after I move in. But then I have done several large remodels while living in the house so I think nothing of the construction crew showing up in the morning as I run off to work.

Toward the end of the project, you need to go through the house and have a punch list of the things that needs to be fixed, addressed, repaired etc. I would start making my own punch list since you are near the end. This way, you have a record of things that you can show with the builder as you are finishing up. Until the punch list is done, you don't pay the contractor in full.

Kaismom, desertsteph, lascatx-
Awesome advice- thank you. As much as I want things finished, it is much more important to get things done correctly....and thoroughly!

I plan to talk to the builder this morning; hopefully I can do it without getting emotional about my butchered pantry. Maybe it's good this happened over the weekend so that I could take a step back and really calm down before I talk to him. Thanks again for your very helpful advice!