We had to travel to N. Carolina last week to make out choices for the home we bought in River Bluffs. I was looking forward to this and happy to start getting this going. Our appointment was at 11 am with the builder, and following that with the interior designer, (not really an interior designer).
The meeting with the builder went well. We had some changes which he okayed. We wanted to add a gas fireplace on the interior; we wanted to add a hood instead of cabinets over the gas top; a farmhouse sink; the fireplace on the screened porch we wanted to make into a wood burning fireplace; the the master bathroom shower had to have a seat and ADA hand held bars and toilet paper holders. All this would be added to the price, which we were aware of.
We were very disappointed with the choices we had to make for the interior of the home. The cabinet choices, (3) we settled on. The paint choices, (only 2 colors), the tops on the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, (came with very busy granite) The quartz are extra. We did choose quartz for the kitchen and one bath. The floor choices were Mohawk engineered floors. It was very hard to choose seeing such small choices. Can you believe that vinyl flooring cost extra? Now we come to the tile. In the kitchen I chose subway tile, (backsplash) no problem. The bathroom choices were so bad. I said they looked like what Home Depot offered at discounted prices. Very bland 12 x 12, for floor and walls of shower. Again we settled. All these choices had to be done at that appointment. It was very overwhelming and the last hour I didn’t even care anymore.
The next morning we were supposed to meet at the lighting store to pick out lighting throughout the home but the person came down with Covid, so it was cancelled. We left with the name of the vendors to go to their websites and choose our lighting with a budget of 2300 dollars. I am bringing some of our fixtures so that should save some. Next came the appliance choices and that man wasn’t available either. We went to store and another salesman was very nice and noted our choices. Again, what we wanted was extra, above the budget they allow.
I came away from this trip not feeling so great. I was disappointed in the place, (River Bluffs) and our choices. I’m feeling that I’m getting sucked in. I never wanted to live in a place where our yard backed up to someone else’s, yet here we are. I wanted to live in a place close to stores and shopping so I can be more independent, which River Bluffs is not, and I wanted to look out my back windows and look at water, which this house doesn’t.
On a positive note, I held up very well. I didn’t use the wheelchair at all, just the walker!