Before You Build Podcast: Recent Episodes
Caroline On Design
Podcast coming in late July 2022. Go ahead and subscribe so you get the first four episodes as soon as they come out on July 27, 2022!
Whether you’re dreaming of building a custom home in the future or you’re ready to start planning now, this show is for you! The Before You Build Podcast is your one-stop shop for actionable home-building tips and advice as well as tips for designing your dream home so that you feel equipped to design the home of your dreams that makes you (and your wallet) happy for years to come.
We’ll answer all of your burning questions such as: How do I plan for building a custom home? What should I do before building a house? How do I design my new house? What mistakes should I avoid when building a house? How do I create the perfect floor plan for my family? How do I hire a builder? How do I finance my home build? And the biggest question of all, how do I bring my dream home to life without blowing the budget? Well, friends … the answer is in PLANNING for your home build long before you ever break ground.
I’m your host, Carrie Barker (aka, Caroline on Design). I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. Through trial and error (psst … I built pre-Pinterest), I created my absolute dream home that is not only perfect for the way my family lives but also turned out more beautiful than I imagined. The best part … I did this all without blowing the budget and without design regrets.
I cracked the code on how to bring my own dream home vision to life while sticking VERY close to budget and now I’m here to teach you everything I learned along the way so that you, too, end up with that cozy, beautiful home you envision in your head and a mortgage you’re comfy with.
The short, actionable, and bingeable ‘Before You Build’ episodes will prepare YOU for a successful home build with less stress, more confidence, and joy throughout the process. And just so you know … the key to building your dream home close to budget is all in the planning you do BEFORE YOU BUILD! So let’s dive in and get started!
Most people assume designing a home you love starts with choosing finishes, fixtures, and paint colors ... but after unexpectedly buying an existing house, I realized what actually matters MOST.
(and yes ... considering I've spent years helping people build custom homes, this surprised me too! ) 😉
In this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected journey that led my husband and me to buy an existing home, plus the three foundational pieces you need to get right BEFORE you build, renovate, or buy a home.
Whether you're building from scratch, renovating, or buying an existing home, this episode might completely change the way you think about creating a home you'll love for years to come.
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/bought-existing-house
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Knowing what to clarify before building a custom home is one of the MOST important things you can do for your budget ... and yet it's one of the most overlooked parts of the entire process.
In fact, there's a specific layer of clarity that very few people talk about, even though it's one of the biggest reasons custom home projects go over budget.
In this episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means to be "ready" to build, why finish selections impact your budget more than most people realize, and the four finish categories you need to clarify before you ever request a quote from a builder.
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/what-to-clarify-before-building-a-custom-home
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
If you're trying to nail down the perfect white paint color for your home exterior, this episode is for you. 🙌
I actually created this list for a blog post back in 2020 — and when I went to update it recently, I realized that every single color on that list is still just as popular today as it was six years ago. These aren't trendy whites. They're timeless ones.
I actually have one of these white colors all over my own home interior … doors, trim, cabinets, ceilings, built-ins. I've been in my home almost 13 years, and I still love the color.
In this episode, we'll cover:
- My 6 favorite exterior white paint colors (including a brand-new 2026 addition!)
- Why warm whites are the most versatile choice for almost any home style
- My favorite mess-free way to test colors before you commit
Head to the show notes to see all six whites in action, plus grab links to order peel-and-stick samples so you can see exactly how they look on your home.
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/best-exterior-white-paint-colors
PAINT SAMPLES → (affiliate link) https://on.ltk.com/+2_jko6X3hyRqvn-8wjjMMg
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
When Joanne decided to tear down her family's lakefront cottage and rebuild on the same lot, she knew building a custom home on a small, waterfront lot was going to be anything but simple. So she joined BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ because she knew there would be a lot to think through before breaking ground.
In this episode she covers:
- Why she chose to tear down instead of renovate
- Permitting and building on a lakefront lot
- Designing vertically on a small footprint while planning for aging in place
- Staying within 5–10% of budget by negotiating and shopping vendors
- Catching a framing error mid-build — and why being on-site matters
- How an email trail saved her when a contractor "forgot" a conversation
- What she wishes she'd done sooner
- The emotional side of seeing finishes for the first time
- How BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ helped her walk in prepared and confident
Joanne's story is proof that the right preparation changes everything.
GET ALL THE BYB DETAILS → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
(and see Joanne's beautiful lake house in the show notes)
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/building-a-custom-home-on-family-property
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
I built my custom home back in 2013, and I genuinely love it. The layout is cozy, functional, and still works perfectly for my family over 12 years later.
However, there are a few things I'd do differently if I built this house again.
In this MVP episode, I'm sharing 5 things I wish I had included in our custom floor plan. Tune in because these are details most people don't think about until after they've moved in, and by then, it's too late.
Note: This episode was originally recorded in 2022, but the content is 100% still relevant — and I've updated the blog post with additional tips and resources.
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/wish-i-included-in-my-custom-floor-plan
FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK → carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
In this episode, I'm answering a question I got from someone in my free on-demand class, and honestly, it was SO good I had to share it with everyone.
We're talking about how to create a realistic budget before you ever sit down with a builder — so that when you do get a quote, it actually means something.
I walk you through:
- Why your vision has to come before your numbers (and why skipping this step is so costly)
- How to identify your true financial comfort zone — not just your ceiling
- What most people forget to include in their total build budget
- How to research cost per square foot in your area so you walk in informed
- What a SPLURGE + SAVE PLAN℠ is and how having one changes everything about that first builder conversation
If you're in the planning phase right now, this episode is for you. It's the kind of prep work that makes a builder meeting actually productive — and sets you up to stay on budget from the very start.
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/custom-home-budget-before-builder-meeting
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
If you're building a home (or planning to build), you're probably worried about the typical things … you know, like staying on budget or making the right design decisions. But guess what?
There are MANY other things you might not even realize you NEED to think about until you are already in the thick of building your home. Don't worry ... I've got you covered with a list of 9 things I wish I had known before building a house.
Note: This episode was recorded in 2022, but the content is still 100% relevant today! I updated the blog post with additional tips and resources in May 2026.
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/known-before-building
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Going over budget when building a custom home isn't inevitable. It does happen often, but it is NOT inevitable. One of the biggest causes is not knowing how to prioritize your home build budget.
In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most important things you can do before you break ground … and that is to get crystal clear on YOUR family's priorities so you know exactly where to splurge and save throughout your entire build.
I'm sharing the simple two-part framework I use with my clients, a personal story from my own build that perfectly illustrates why knowing your priorities BEFORE building changes everything, and everything you need to know about my brand new SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ — the tool I honestly believe should be in the hands of EVERY SINGLE PERSON building or renovating a home.
Because here's the truth … you don't need an unlimited budget, you just need to know YOUR priorities. 🙌
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/how-to-prioritize-your-home-build-budget
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Going over budget is one of the biggest fears I hear from people building a custom home. But here's what I want you to know …
It is possible to build within, or very close to, your budget. It all comes down to knowing where YOU should splurge and where YOU should save when building.
In this episode, I break down my simple two-rule framework for deciding where to splurge and save when building. I also share some of the best areas (in general) to invest and cut back … and why a generic list will only get you so far.
Tune in to learn my simple framework, and to find out exactly how to build your very own personalized SPLURGE + SAVE PLAN around YOUR family's priorities.
SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/where-to-splurge-and-save-when-building
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Have you ever driven past a house and thought, something just looks off — but you couldn't quite put your finger on it? I see it all the time. And it's not just on low-cost homes … I see it on multi-million-dollar homes too.
It's not a budget problem. It's a gap in the design process that SO many people miss completely.
In this episode, I'm breaking down why some custom home exteriors end up looking awkward, and the one simple thing that prevents it. I'm also sharing my own personal story — including the moment I saw my home exterior in 3D for the first time and seriously hated it. 😬
If you're in the planning stages of your custom home build, tune into this one ... you'll be SO glad you did!
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/custom-home-exterior-regrets
MY 3D RENDERING → carolineondesign.com/custom-home-build-must-do
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Feeling overwhelmed just thinking about building a home is one of the most common things I hear from people planning a custom build. And, honestly, it makes complete sense. You're making hundreds of high-stakes decisions you've never had to make before, on a timeline that's largely outside of your control, with A LOT of money on the line.
In this episode, I'm sharing what I've been learning from my business coach about balance — and why every single principle applies directly to your home build experience. Here's what we're covering:
- Why the chaos isn't actually the problem
- The two types of overwhelm you'll face during a build (and how to handle both)
- What you can do right now to feel more prepared and less reactive going into your build
You're going to be okay. Promise. 🙌
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/overwhelmed-building-a-home
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
After auditing 300+ floor plans, I can tell you this: the same mistakes keep showing up. And they're not dramatic design flaws — they're subtle oversights that are easy to miss on paper but noticeable every single day once you're living in your home.
In episode 106, I'm sharing the four most common floor plan patterns I see that lead to daily frustration and regrets — so you can catch them before construction begins.
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/common-floor-plan-mistakes
FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK → carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
If you're planning on building a custom home, rising construction costs are likely scaring you a little bit … and I totally get that!
You might be wondering … Should we wait? Will prices come down? Will next year be a better time to build?
These are completely normal thoughts, and you're not alone.
But here's what most people don't fully think through … construction costs rarely drop in a meaningful, lasting way.
So instead of asking yourself, "Will it be cheaper to build if we wait?", the better question is: "Is now the right time for us to build, given our budget, our goals, and our level of preparation?"
In this episode, I'm walking you through whether waiting actually helps, and the specific questions to ask your builder to protect your budget, no matter what the market is doing.
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/rising-construction-costs
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
After living in my custom home for 12+ years, I've learned exactly what makes a kitchen truly functional versus just pretty.
In this episode, I'm sharing 9 tips for designing a functional kitchen, including:
- Why you need at least 42" of walking space around your island
- The placement trick that makes everyday tasks so much easier
- Why a butler's pantry and coffee bar are at the TOP of my list for my next home
- Two things I'd change about my current kitchen after 12+ years
The most beautiful kitchen won't make you happy if it doesn't work for how your family actually lives.
This episode gives you real-life lessons so you can design a kitchen that makes your daily life easier—not more frustrating.
FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK → carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/9-tips-for-designing-a-functional-kitchen
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Clients and podcast listeners ask me the same question over and over: "What would YOU change if you built your home again?"
After living in my custom home for almost 13 years (and now planning my NEXT build), I've really been thinking about my answer to this question.
I don't have any regrets, but there ARE some tweaks I would make.
In this episode, I'm sharing four things I'd change if I built again, and four things I would NEVER change.
We cover:
- Why separate primary closets are at the TOP of my list (for my next house)
- The exact kitchen island size I wish I had (and why I had to forego it)
- How combining my mudroom and laundry room seemed smart on paper, but doesn't work in real life
- The one thing I added to my daughters' closets but forgot to add to my own (oops!) 😳
- PLUS, four things I got 100% right and would never change
Thankfully, we took the time to plan strategically BEFORE we built, so none of these are actual regrets—they're just small things I'd tweak next time.
This is what I want for YOU too.
This episode gives you my real-life lessons learned so you can make smarter floor plan decisions NOW—before they become permanent.
FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/change-if-built-my-home-again
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Wondering what you need to know before building a custom home?
In this episode, I'm answering the most common questions I hear from first-time custom home builders—the practical stuff you need to know BEFORE you start.
You'll learn what the first step actually is (hint: it's NOT interviewing builders!), why you need a crystal clear vision before you ever get a quote, when the right time to start planning is (way earlier than you think!), and the two BIG mistakes that almost always lead to budget overages and regrets.
Plus, I'm breaking down why planning 6-12 months ahead is your secret weapon for staying close to budget and loving your finished home. 🙌
If you're just dreaming about building or actively interviewing builders, this episode gives you the roadmap to avoid the mistakes that cost people tens of thousands of dollars (or more 😳).
🎉 BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ enrollment is open RIGHT NOW through Monday, February 9th! 🎉 Get all the details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/what-to-know-before-building-a-custom-home
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
First-time custom home build advice from a REAL family who just moved into their brand new home.
Patrick and Jessica share their real experience going through BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ and how this program helped them build with confidence.
In this episode, we cover:
- How they vetted and found their amazing custom home builder
- How they designed for how THEIR family actually lives
- Why you don't need to be a design expert to make great home decisions
- What mattered most to THEIR family
- How they managed a custom home build from three hours away
- How BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ worked in tandem with their builder
- Their real budget outcome (and WHY)
- Their top advice for anyone planning a custom home build
Patrick and Jessica are living proof that the right preparation leads to confident building decisions—even when unexpected costs pop up.
Ready to Follow the Same Framework?
You can follow the exact same step-by-step framework Patrick and Jessica used. Enrollment for BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ opens February 2nd and closes February 9th.
JOIN BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build 😘
But first, join me for my FREE live training where I'm teaching the "4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets." It's happening Monday, February 2nd at 10:00 am Central Time.
GRAB YOUR FREE SEAT → carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/first-time-custom-home-build-advice
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Nine out of ten custom homes go over budget. 😳
If you're wondering WHY, this episode will show you exactly what's happening—and how to avoid it.
I'm breaking down the real reasons most builds go 10-20% (or more!) over budget.
You'll learn why that initial builder quote is NOT what your home will actually cost, the exact moment most people start blowing their budget (before construction even starts!), and what the 1 in 10 who stay on budget do differently.
Plus, I'm sharing Mare's story—one of my clients who came in $6,500 UNDER budget while getting everything she wanted. 💪
If you're about to build, this episode gives you the roadmap to be one of the rare few who build on budget and love their home—no regrets, no financial stress.
🎉 FREE TRAINING! 🎉 Monday, February 2nd at 10 am CT → "4 Steps to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget and Without Regrets!"
FREE TRAINING: carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/why-custom-homes-go-over-budget
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Choosing the right builder can make or break your entire home-building experience, so you want to be SURE you're choosing the RIGHT builder.
In this episode, I'm sharing the three most important questions to ask home builders during interviews. These aren't the typical questions you'll find online. These are the questions that will save you time, stress, and thousands of dollars.
You'll learn exactly what to listen for in their answers, how to spot red flags, and the one step most people skip that reveals everything you need to know about a builder. Plus, I'll walk you through how to make your final decision using both data AND your gut instinct.
If you're interviewing builders (or about to start), this episode will give you the confidence to choose the right partner for your project.
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/questions-to-ask-home-builders
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building a home in 2026? There's ONE question you need to ask yourself that will reveal whether you're truly ready—or just winging it.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between "planning" (aka browsing Pinterest) and ACTUALLY being prepared for your build.
You'll hear a real example from clients who showed up so prepared that their builder and electrician were blown away.
Plus, I'm sharing what strategic planning actually looks like—it's way simpler than you think and way more powerful.
If you've been thinking, "I'll figure it out later," this episode is your wake-up call to start NOW.
Want to feel confident and prepared for your build? Join the waitlist for BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. Doors open February 2nd!
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/building-a-home-2026
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
You might think your floor plan is done once the room sizes are sketched out. But here's what most first-time builders don't realize ... you can't really know if those dimensions work until you see how your actual furniture fits in each space.
In this episode, I'm sharing a tool I discovered (and tested with my own money) that helps you visualize furniture in your floor plan before you build.
We'll talk through why this step matters so much, how to make layout decisions with confidence instead of guessing, and how this platform can save you from expensive mistakes.
You'll learn why testing furniture placement matters and how the right tool can help you feel confident about your room sizes before your builder breaks ground.
SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/visualize-furniture-in-your-floor-plan
FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
Get the SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo
Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
Download FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
My FREE CLASS → Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training
The next time you host (or attend) a gathering (whether it's Thanksgiving next week 😉, a birthday party, or just family visiting for the weekend), you're sitting on free research for your custom home planning.
In this episode, I'm showing you how to turn those hosting moments into valuable insights about what you actually need in your future home.
You'll learn:
- The specific questions to ask yourself while hosting (or visiting someone else's home)
- What to observe about kitchen layout, traffic flow, and entertaining spaces
- How to translate real-life frustrations into must-haves for your floor plan
- Why these observations matter more than anything you'll find on Pinterest
This works whether you're the host or the guest. These real-life insights reveal what really matters when you're designing a home you'll love living in.
...
🔗 EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-planning
🎓 BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
✏️ FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
👉 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training
Planning to build a custom home? Lighting and electrical planning is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of the design process. And here's the thing ... it's not something you can figure out "later." It needs to happen before your electrician shows up on site and your walls go up.
In this episode, I'm talking to Jenn Smith, a licensed residential architect with over 20 years of experience helping families navigate the custom home process. Jenn specializes in one of the most overlooked yet transformative parts of design: lighting and electrical planning.
We're covering the biggest mistakes homeowners make (like waiting too long to plan), how to future-proof your home with smart electrical decisions, where to splurge and where to save on fixtures, and the exact spots you'll wish you'd added more outlets and switches.
...
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/lighting-and-electrical-planning
🎓 BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
🎙 JENN SMITH RESOURCES:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennsmitharchitect
- Website: www.jennsmitharchitect.com
- Free Checklist: Lighting & Electrical Checklist
👉 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building a custom home? You've probably heard this advice: "Whatever your builder quotes you, expect to pay 30 to 35 percent more."
Here's the truth: going over budget is NOT inevitable.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the real reason people blow their home build budget and showing you exactly how to avoid this happening to you. Spoiler alert: it has very little to do with unpredictable construction costs and everything to do with clarity.
I'll walk you through why vague planning leads to expensive surprises, what happens when you make decisions on the fly, and the specific steps my clients take to stay on budget (or even come in under!).
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why the "30% over budget" myth exists and why it's completely avoidable
- The real reason most people face major budget overages mid-build
- How to clarify your vision before breaking ground
- Why a 5-10% buffer is enough when you plan ahead (not 30%!)
Whether you're just starting to plan or already in conversations with builders, this episode will help you make smart, confident decisions that protect both your vision and your wallet. 🙌
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🔗 EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/reason-people-blow-their-home-build-budget
🎓 BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training
Curious what DesignShop IS ... and if it's worth it for your custom home build? In this episode, I'm sharing my honest review after ordering 13 different material samples – countertops, tile, cabinet hardware, wallpaper, and more.
I'll walk you through what I ordered, how much I spent, the sample quality, and whether DesignShop can actually help you make confident design decisions before you build.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What DesignShop is and how it works
- The real cost of ordering samples (and why it's worth it)
- Sample quality, size, and brand selection
- My honest pros and cons after testing the service
- Tips for using samples effectively in your home
This is NOT a sponsored episode – I paid for everything myself, and I'm giving you my unfiltered opinion. 😀
SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/designshop-review
DESIGNSHOP™: rstyle.me/+2MSVa_R01PuMdwY0U84Nsw (affiliate link)
SAMPLIZE REVIEW: carolineondesign.com/peel-and-stick-paint-samples-review
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Are you worried about going over budget on your custom home build? You're not alone—but what if I told you budget overruns aren't inevitable?
In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 biggest budget busters that cost home builders TENS OF THOUSANDS in overages (we're talking $15K-$50K+ mistakes!), plus my proven system to avoid them completely.
If you're tired of hearing "just expect to go 20% over budget" and want to build your dream home WITHOUT the financial stress, this episode is for you!
Ready to take control of your home build? Join BYB!👇
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ enrollment closes Monday, 9/22/25 at 11:59 PM. Don't miss your final chance to join at the current price! Get all the details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/home-build-budget-busters
CONNECT WITH ME:
- Website: carolineondesign.com
- Instagram: @carolineondesign
- Free Home Build Guide: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
Building your dream home doesn't have to mean blowing your budget. Let's plan it right from the start!
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building a custom home with your spouse doesn't have to be stressful or dramatic. It can actually bring you closer together ... and I'm sharing exactly how to make that happen.
Learn the simple strategy that helped me get along great with my husband throughout our build and has helped hundreds of my clients build their dream homes without the drama.
Spoiler alert ... you don't need to agree on everything – you just need to respect what matters most to each other.
We'll cover:
✅ Why building together feels so overwhelming (and why that's totally normal)
✅ The must-have strategy that eliminates most arguments before they start
✅ Real examples from couples who nailed this approach
✅ What to do when you can't afford all your combined must-haves
You'll walk away knowing how to honor both of your visions, stay within budget, and actually enjoy the building process together.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/building-a-custom-home-with-your-spouse
🔗 FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Planning your custom home? Before you dive into Pinterest boards and floor plans, there's one crucial question that will determine whether you truly love your home for decades to come. In this episode, I'm sharing the most important consideration when planning your custom home ... and it's probably not what you think!
I'll explain why location matters more than design decisions, how to evaluate potential properties, and the real cost of getting this wrong. Plus, I'm sharing my own current location search and what I've learned in the process.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The #1 question to ask before planning any custom home
- Why you can't effectively design without knowing where you're building
- How to evaluate locations for long-term happiness
- The expensive mistakes that happen when you choose the wrong spot
Whether you're just starting to think about building or actively lot shopping, this episode will help you make confident location decisions you'll love for years to come.
Ready to plan your custom home with confidence? Download my FREE Custom Home Build Start Guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide to get started!
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🔗 Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/planning-your-custom-home
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Okay, real talk. Those generic "must-have" lists all over Pinterest and home-building blogs set you up to build a house that might have some cool features, but most likely won't even work for YOUR family's lifestyle.
In this episode, I'm spilling the truth about why there are NO universal must-haves when building a custom home, and I'm sharing the four questions that'll help you figure out what YOUR family actually needs (spoiler: it's probably way different than what those lists tell you).
We'll cover:
- Why that mudroom everyone's obsessing over might be completely pointless for your lifestyle
- Real stories from families who ignored the "rules" and built homes that actually work for them
- How to stop second-guessing yourself and create a must-have list based on your real life, not Pinterest dreams
- The difference between features that look amazing and ones that actually make your daily routine better
Bottom line ... this is YOUR custom home. YOU get to decide what goes in it based on what makes YOUR life easier and happier ... not what some blog says you "must" have.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-must-haves
🔗 FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building your first custom home should be exciting, but there's one massive mistake I see first-time builders make over and over again ... and it's costing them thousands of dollars and major regrets on move-in day.
In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what this critical mistake is and how you can completely avoid it with the right planning process.
You'll learn:
- The biggest custom home building mistake that sets everything else up for failure
- Why having Pinterest boards isn't the same as having a clear vision
- The real cost of this mistake (spoiler: it's way more than just money!)
- How to get crystal clear on your vision before you break ground
Plus, I'll share stories from my BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ clients like Sheri, who went from total panic to moving into her stunning dream home, and Mare, who came in $6,500 UNDER budget.
If you're planning to build a custom home, this episode could save you thousands in change orders and years of regret. Don't let this preventable mistake turn your dream home into an expensive lesson!
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-building-mistake
🔗 FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Feeling confused about construction loans? You're definitely not alone... and you're not the only one who finds this part of home building overwhelming.
In this episode, I'm breaking down how construction loans actually work so you can approach this part of your build with confidence instead of confusion.
Understanding construction loans is crucial to avoiding costly surprises and timeline issues that could derail your build.
We'll cover:
✅ How construction loans work (and why they're different from regular mortgages)
✅ Timeline requirements and what happens if your build goes over schedule
✅ Down payment requirements and approval criteria
✅ What to expect for payments, closing costs, and borrowing limits
You'll walk away understanding exactly how construction loans work and how to prepare so you can secure financing and stay on track with your build timeline.
Quick note: This isn't meant to replace professional lending advice—always connect with a qualified loan officer for guidance specific to your project!
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/how-construction-loans-work
🔗 FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Not sure whether to hire an architect or a draftsperson for your custom home build? You’re not alone ... and you’re definitely not the only one confused by this decision.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the real differences between an architect and a draftsperson so you can make the smartest choice for your project, your budget, and your design needs.
Whether you’re looking to save money or you want a one-of-a-kind design, understanding your options is key to building a home you’ll love for decades (not one filled with regrets!).
We’ll cover:
✅ What each professional actually does (and how their roles are different)
✅ The cost difference between hiring an architect vs. a draftsperson
✅ A hybrid approach that could save you thousands (without sacrificing design)
You’ll walk away with clarity on who to hire, how much it might cost, and what support you can expect so you can move forward with confidence.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/draftsperson-vs-architect
🔗 FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🎓 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Thinking about finishing your basement? Whether you're building a custom home or planning a future reno, this episode shares 3 simple custom basement details that are totally worth it—and easy to overlook.
From a clever built-in cooler to the one upgrade I’d do in every home from now on, I’m walking you through the little things we added that make our basement more functional, fun, and guest-friendly.
These aren’t just cool ideas—they’re practical, everyday features that you’ll be so glad you planned ahead for.
🎧 Tune in to learn:
- How to add more light to a dark basement stairwell
- A built-in bar feature that takes entertaining to the next level
- The underrated upgrade that made finishing our basement stress-free
Whether you're building now or just dreaming, these custom basement ideas will help you create a space you’ll love to live in.
👀 Want to see this tips in action? Follow me on instagram.com/carolineondesign.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-basement-details
⚒️ FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
💡 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
You might think building a confident home starts with picking finishes or trusting your builder to guide you. But here’s the truth most people don’t hear (until it’s too late): the real secret is planning—real, intentional planning—long before construction begins.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it actually means to “plan ahead”. We’ll talk through the kind of behind-the-scenes decisions that make all the difference when it comes to building a home you truly love—and how skipping this step can leave you feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and full of regrets.
You’ll learn how to start your plan right now, even if you have no clue where to begin.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/secret-to-a-confident-home-build
⚒️ FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
💡 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Possibly you haven’t started building yet—but here’s a heads-up: at some point during your build, your builder’s going to say, “We can’t do that.”
Sometimes that “no” is legit. But other times? It’s just not standard.
In this episode, I’m walking you through a real story of a homeowner who dropped something she really wanted (and still regrets it 😳)—and how YOU can avoid the same fate. You’ll learn exactly what to say, what to ask, and how to advocate for the things that matter most… before you're caught off guard.
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/when-your-builder-says-no
⚒️ FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
💡 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Feeling excited (yet OVERWHELMED!) about building your dream home? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.
In this episode, I’m walking you through3 simple mindset shifts that will help you approach your home build with more clarity and confidence.
Before you dive into layouts and finishes, the real foundation for your entire home build experience starts with your mindset.
We’ll cover:
🔑 Why your home should reflect your lifestyle, not just square footage
💰 How to think about your budget in a way that feels empowering (not limiting)
🏗️ Why YOU (not your builder) should be leading the design vision
These are the exact mindset shifts I walk my students through inside my BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ program—and they can be total game-changers in how you experience your custom build.
🎧 Tune in for some quick wins, helpful perspective, and a dose of encouragement to start your home-building journey off right!
⚒️ FREE HOME BUILD START GUIDE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-your-home
💡 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building your dream home? You’ve probably spent hours planning the big things—your floor plan, kitchen design, and must-have features. But what about the small details that can make or break your home’s functionality?
In this episode, I’m sharing 15 commonly overlooked details that people building for the first time regret not doing—and how you can avoid them. From outlet placement mistakes to traffic flow issues and not adding enough windows, these are the things you’ll be so glad you planned for before you build!
🎧 Listen now to avoid costly mistakes and future home-building regrets!
🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/common-custom-home-oversights
💡 Join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
One of the biggest concerns when building a custom home is going over budget.
However, YOU don’t have to fear this because I know it’s possible to build within (or very close to) budget … you just need to know where to splurge and save when building your home.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through the best areas (in general) to splurge and save when building a custom home.
I’ll also share the choices I personally made while building my own home—because sometimes it helps to hear real-life examples. 🙂
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/where-to-splurge-and-save-when-building
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER: carolineondesign.com/splurge-save-guide
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👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
This episode is for anyone out there who is building a lake house and, more specifically, looking for trending exterior paint colors for lake houses in 2025.
I decided to record this episode because, ironically, a significant number of my clients inside BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ are planning to build a lake house.
For some, it’s a secondary home, but for others, it will be their primary residence.
Either way, they obviously want to get their exterior colors RIGHT!
And hey … even if you aren’t planning to build a lake house, this episode will still be very helpful because the paint color palettes are popular for home exteriors in general in 2025.
And, be sure to check out the show notes for this episode so you can see some of these colors in action (in other words … you’ll find photos of the colors on my blog).
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/trending-exterior-paint-colors-for-lake-houses
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
BLOG POST (4 STEPS TO CHOOSE PAINT COLOR): carolineondesign.com/steps-to-choose-a-paint-color
PEEL-AND-STICK PAINT SAMPLES (affiliate link): https://rstyle.me/+8h_YTkI3gg-JchgCAKrBhw
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Sticking to budget when building all starts with avoiding three common mistakes that I see people make ALL. THE. TIME.
These mistakes can lead to significant budget overages (especially mistake #3!).
BUT … I’m not gonna let them happen to you!
These are all 100% avoidable ... and I'm so glad you’re listening to this episode so that you'll know exactly what to avoid.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/mistakes-to-avoid-when-building-a-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
If you plan on building your dream home in 2025 (or 2026 or even 2027), you're in the right place!
I'm here to help YOU bring your dream home to life … within budget and without regrets. 😘
This podcast is a great place to start ...
The short, binge-able episodes are full of actionable home-build tips and advice to help you feel more confident as you prepare for, and build, your dream home.
And, if you want to dive deeper and work with me in 2025, I invite you to join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠. 🙌
Tune into this episode to learn ALL about how I can help YOU bring YOUR dream home to life in 2025 … within budget and without regrets.❤️
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/building-your-dream-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
One of the most important keys to staying on budget while building is getting accurate home construction quotes BEFORE you hire your builder.
However, it can be a little tricky to get quotes when you most likely don’t even have a floor plan when you’re interviewing builders.
So, how do you get (accurate) quotes from builders without a floor plan?
It all starts with a crystal clear vision of your future home.
In this episode, we’ll discuss some (really important) things to consider when creating your dream home vision so that you can get quotes from potential builders that truly take into account your desired dream home.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/accurate-home-construction-quotes
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
Building a custom home is a HUGE investment in both time and money. Obviously, you want to get it RIGHT! I want this for you, too, so I’m giving you a huge tip in this episode … stay tuned because this is a custom home build MUST DO!
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-build-must-do
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming home build and you don’t know how you can possibly feel confident designing an entire house, this episode is for you. All it takes to feel confident is to have CLARITY before building your house.
There’s a reason that ‘Clarifying Your Vision’ is the very first step in my BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ Blueprint that I teach my clients.
A clear vision is an essential component to feeling confident (and in control) as you go through your home build.
It is the absolute foundation for every single design decision you’ll make while building your house.
We’re going to get into it, but if you’ve been thinking about joining BEFORE YOU BUILD℠, now is the time to do it :).
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/confidence-when-building-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
CAROLINE ON DESIGN WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
This episode is a little different than my typical episode … it’s more of a personal explanation of my top floor plan regret that I have for my own custom home.
Although this is a personal story about my own home build experience, I know it will help anyone out there who is toying with the idea of doing what I did (and now regret).
I'm also sharing a BONUS at the end of the episode ... my second biggest floor plan regret :).
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-regret
FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
CAROLINE ON DESIGN WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
I recently decided I was going to try to create a floor plan design with ChatGPT.
I was looking online at different floor plans, and I found things I liked about each one, and then I thought, "Well, why don't I just create my own, and I'll have ChatGPT do it?"
I thought I could plug everything that I wanted in, and a beautiful floor plan would spit out, and voila, I would have it.
That's not exactly what happened.
A floor plan did spit out, but it was far from beautiful!
So that was a bust. However, I found things about ChatGPT beneficial when you're creating your floor plan.
Tune in and learn why I think ChatGPT can be a great tool in your tool belt as you create your floor plan.
- EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-design-with-chatgpt
FREE FLOOR PLAN RESOURCE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
ChatGPT: ChatGPT.com
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
👉 Grab a seat in my FREE CLASS, 'The 3 Most Expensive Home Building Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)', at carolineondesign.com/free-training
My business coach recently asked me, 'What is the movement you would love to create for the people you serve?'
In other words, how do I want to help YOU and others who are building their dream home?
I had SO many thoughts automatically run through my brain.
I knew these things deep down, but I haven't done a great job of explaining exactly how I want to help YOU.
Tune into this episode because I'm sharing it all :).
Psst ... grab a seat in my FREE class, 'How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves'. This is a great place to start!
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-movement
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
CAROLINE WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
In this episode, we’re talking about the MANY MANY MANY benefits of planning before building your house.
I see these benefits first-hand with my home build experience, as well as with my clients as they go through and complete the home build process.
I’ve started a movement to get people to PLAN before they build because I know there are SO. MANY. BENEFITS. to doing this.
It’s IMPERATIVE to PLAN if you want to stay on (or close to) budget when building.
It’s IMPERATIVE to PLAN if you want to get to the end of your home build WITHOUT regrets.
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/benefits-of-planning-before-building
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
CAROLINE WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
Are you starting to work on your custom floor plan and want to make sure you do it right? (i.e., you want to avoid making costly floor plan mistakes that you’ll later regret.) If so, tune in!
In this episode, we’ll cover common mistakes people make when creating a custom floor plan (or tweaking a stock plan). Unfortunately, I even see some builders (and the occasional architect) make these floor plan mistakes simply because they overlook the little details.
But don’t worry … you'll have a big advantage over those people because you'll know what important details to look out for so you can avoid making these mistakes in your own floor plan.
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-mistakes-to-avoid/
FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
HOME BUILD COURSES + PRODUCTS: carolineondesign.com/courses
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com
If you’re worried about building and designing your dream home because you aren’t a designer (and you don’t want to hire one), I’ve got good news for you. You don’t need a designer … you just need a crystal clear vision BEFORE building your dream home.
Tune in to learn WHY a crystal clear vision of your future house is so CRUCIAL.
- EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/before-building-your-dream-home
- BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ WAITLIST: carolineondesign.com/join-byb-waitlist
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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Visit carolineondesign.com for more resources.
I’m sharing 3 BIG (actually, huge) mistakes that most people make when building a house.
These three mistakes lead directly to going over budget on your home build.
For many people, this can be significant budget overages.
But don’t worry, half the battle of staying on budget is knowing what mistakes to AVOID.
You’ll be armed with this knowledge and you’ll know exactly what to avoid.
- EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/mistakes-when-building-a-house
- FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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- Visit carolineondesign.com for more resources.
This episode is a little different than usual, but I it’s going to be super helpful to a lot of people.
Soooo … I got some GREAT questions from a woman who attended my free masterclass.
I answered her questions in a voice memo and I’m sharing that exact voice memo (unedited and all) in this episode.
I’m doing this because there are some golden nuggets that I think anyone building a house can take away from these answers … whether you choose to join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ or not.
I’ll play that voice memo for you and then I’ll come back onto the podcast and tell you WHY I think this is super helpful for anyone who is planning to build a house.
- EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/3-quick-home-build-tips
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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Visit carolineondesign.com for more resources.
PSA for anyone who is looking for a builder right now or will be in the future. The lowest home build bid does NOT mean the lowest price.
Let me repeat that … the lowest home build bid does NOT mean the lowest price.
In this short and sweet episode, we’ll talk about why it’s VERY important to consider more than just the bids (or price quotes) when selecting a builder.
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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/lowest-home-build-bid
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home on Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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Visit carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Avoiding home build budget overages is one of the TOP home build concernsthat I hear over and over from clients inside my private BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ program.
This is a VERY common fear among people getting ready to build their dream home.
Sooo ... if you’re feeling nervous or confused about the budget piece of home building, you are definitely NOT alone.
But believe me ... the more information you know about the home build budget BEFORE you build, the better your chance of sticking to that elusive budget :).
I didn't go over budget, and you don't have to either.
In this episode, I’ll answer your home build budget overage questions PLUS I have a special invitation for you at the end of this episode because I want YOU to feel equipped and confident in your ability to build your own dream home within budget (or at least very close to budget).
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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-budget-overage
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home on Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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Visit carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Whether you plan to hire an architect or not, the key to designing the perfect floor plan for YOUR family (that is functional, can grow with you, and you absolutely LOVE) all lies in the very first step.
And in today’s episode, I’m going to tell you what that very first step is so that you can move forward and start creating the perfect floor plan that will work for your family now (and into the future).
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/perfect-floor-plan
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FREE MASTERCLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home on Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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'BEFORE YOU BUILD' PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Before creating YOUR Home Build Success Plan, you need to really think about what a successful home build looks (and feels) like for YOU.
More specifically, how you will feel while you’re building and how you’ll feel about your house at the end of your build when you move into your brand new home.
I’m going to share what most people consider to be a successful home build.
You might relate to some of these things.
You might even relate to all of them.
You might even have other things that I haven’t added to this list.
The bottom line is to take from this list what resonates with you and leave the rest.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/home-build-success-plan
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FREE CLASS: ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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'BEFORE YOU BUILD' PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
This episode is a VERY informal kitchen design Q+A session I had with Anne-Marie Klobe, Kitchen Designer. This Q+A session was not intended for my podcast but rather for clients in my private 'Before You Build' program.
However, there are SO many golden nuggets of kitchen design advice that I wanted to share with all of you! The sound quality isn't my usual standard, and the call is extremely informal, but the tips are SO worth listening to.
In this episode, we cover:
- The first thing to do BEFORE you design your kitchen
- The kitchen triangle rule
- Tips for kitchen design elements to make your life easier
- The biggest consideration for designing your kitchen
- Modular cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, custom cabinets
- and more!
Episode Show Notes:carolineondesign.com/kitchen-design-questions
Connect with Anne-Marie:
Instagram: @dreamkitchen4me
Website: amklobe.kartra.com/page/Home
Email: kloberesidential@gmail.com
Grab your seat in my FREE Training! (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Your initial quote for your home build can be a little frightening, BUT it's OK!
Your initial quote is just that ... an INITIAL quote.
It doesn't mean it's the final price of your house.
It's just a starting point.
Believe me ... it's MUCH better to get a crazy high quote BEFORE you start building because this allows you time and space to pare your future house down to a comfortable price before you break ground.
Tune into this episode to learn about a concept I teach inside BYB (i.e. creating a REALISTIC budget).
Creating a REALISTIC budget (that you can actually stick to!) all starts with getting an ACCURATE initial quote and then paring it down in a strategic way.
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/initial-quote-for-home-build
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FREE TRAINING: ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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BYB PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while or you know anything about my signature program, you know that I am ALL about planning, planning, and more planning before you build a house.
This (planning) is what I teach, and it’s exactly why I’ve named this podcast and my group program ‘Before You Build’.
I teach this because I know the power of planning before you ever even consider breaking ground on your new house.
Planning is honestly the key to every single positive result that you want throughout your home-build experience and beyond. Tune into this episode to learn about the positive ripple effects of planning before you build your house.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/planning-before-you-build
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Want to learn how I built my dream home within budget and without sacrificing my must-haves? It’s all in my FREE on-demand training, ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ > carolineondesign.com/free-training
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
I’m chatting with Holly, the founder and architect of Hereabout, about her floor plan design process.
Holly has more than a decade of experience in residential architectural design, and she started her business, Hereabout, to bridge the gap between budget and design for people who want a thoughtfully designed floor plan but might not want to pay for (or spend the time on) creating a custom floor plan from scratch.
In this episode, we cover:
- Holly’s process for getting into the mindset of her potential customers (i.e. families) as she creates her stock floor plans (FYI … most stock plans are NOT created with the potential families in mind)
- Holly’s entire process for creating her thoughtfully designed floor plans (she provides such unique and well-thought-out plans ... this is rare when it comes to stock floor plans)
- Holly’s process for getting feedback on her floor plans in order to improve the functionality for families (it’s pretty cool!)
- How she customizes the experience for customers who purchase her stock floor plans
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-design-process
Connect with Holly from 'Hereabout':
Instagram: @hereabout_home
Website: hereabouthome.com
Email: hello@hereabouthome.com
Holly has generously provided a 10% off code for my listeners! Use code CAROLINEONDESIGN at checkout.
Grab your seat in my FREE Training! (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Hiring the RIGHT builder is one of the most important parts of creating a home build experience that is both positive and successful.
In other words, your builder plays a crucial role in bringing your dream home vision to life … without completely blowing your budget.
I’m going to illustrate the importance of WHY you need to hire the right builder for your project and then I'll share some tips to get you started on the path to finding the right builder for YOU.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/hiring-the-right-builder
'Before You Build' Program: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE Training (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home without Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
I’m in the middle of a live launch week promoting my group coaching program (the ‘Before You Build’ Program), so I wasn’t planning on doing a podcast episode this week.
However, I’m getting soooo many great questions about the BYB Program from potential clients that I wanted to hop onto the podcast and share the questions (and my answers) with you.
If you aren’t familiar with the ‘Before You Build’ program, I’ll give you a quick overview plus tell you NOW is the BEST time to join BYB!
- Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-program/
- Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. -
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
You might be getting the WRONG home build budget advice.
In this episode, I share a cautionary tale about how you can’t believe everything you hear about 'going over budget when building'.
It's ok to question the so-called 'facts' because there ARE ways to build your house without completely going over budget.
I know this because I didn’t go over budget when I built my house, and now I have clients in my group coaching program who are coming in under budget too … and that’s in today’s market.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/over-budget-when-building
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Want to learn how I built my dream home within budget and without sacrificing my must-haves? It’s all in my FREE on-demand training, ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ > carolineondesign.com/free-training
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Googling ‘How To’ posts is a great way to gather as much info and knowledge as possible when building your dream home. However, all the info in the world doesn’t make up for a lack of CONFIDENCE in yourself to bring your dream home to life.
Gathering insight, tips, and knowledge will help you to feel more knowledgeable … but you also need to feel full CONFIDENCE in yourself as you go through the home build process and make the tough decisions.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/when-building-your-dream-home
Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.---
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
If you plan on building your dream home in 2024, you're in the right place!
I’m Carrie … a Home Build Coach (it’s a term I made up but you get the idea). My mission is to help women feel confident building their dream home. I do this via my ‘Before You Build’ (BYB) program.
BYB is a step-by-step framework and group coaching program that equips you to confidently build a house you LOVE and is perfect for YOUR family (now + into the future) ... without blowing your budget.
Sounds pretty amazing, right?
I can’t wait to help YOU bring YOUR dream home to life in 2024. You’ve got this, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/building-your-dream-home
Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
This episode was supposed to be about home exterior design trends that we'll see in 2024. However, I decided on a whim to talk about home exterior design classic styles instead.
I’ll let you know why I last-minute changed the topic of this episode because it’s two very valid reasons, but let’s just say that I didn’t feel right talking about trends in design. It didn’t feel in alignment with what I teach my clients.
With all that said, I’ve shifted the topic of this episode and it feels in alignment with what I teach so let's talk about some of my favorite timeless exterior styles.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/home-exterior-design-classic-styles
Want help designing your timeless dream home? I can help through my signature ‘Before You Build’ framework for designing a home that you love, is perfect for your family and comes within (or very close to) your budget can help YOU. Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In this episode, I'll define what the term ‘design fixture’ means (because this can be a confusing term) and I’ll share a list of curated design fixtures boutiques that I offer on my website. I'll also share how YOU can easily shop these curated boutiques to design your own dream home.
Believe me … this is a game changer when it comes to shopping. I even use these boutiques myself when I’m on the hunt for home decor for my own home :).
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/shop-curated-design-fixtures-decor-boutiques
Boutiques: carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Going significantly over budget is one of the top concerns (actually, THE top concern) I hear from my clients and readers who are preparing to build a house. I completely understand this because it was my biggest fear when I built, too. However, what if I told you there ARE ways to stay on budget when building a house?
It’s true. My husband and I built our custom home without going over budget. And I know that what we did can work for you, too. In this episode, I’ll share eight ways we managed to keep our home-build budget in check.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind (and implement them) as you build your dream home so that when your house is complete and you move in (yay!), you feel great about the final cost of your house :).
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/8-savvy-ways-to-stay-on-budget-when-building-a-house
Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In this episode, I share a story about a little Christmas card mishap I had a few years ago and how this mistake relates closely to one of my favorite things I offer to clients inside my 'Before You Build' group coaching program ... personalized floor plan feedback.
I also talk about the importance of bringing in a fresh set of eyes when looking at something repeatedly (ahem ... your floor plan, in this case) and the importance of careful planning and making changes to a floor plan BEFORE building a house.
Episode Show Notes:carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-feedback
Learn more about how the 'Before You Build' program can transform your home build experience at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. ---
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
As you can imagine, building a home can be a little bit overwhelming. Maybe you’re still just dreaming about building, or maybe you’re already in the thick of it, and the overwhelm is starting to creep in. Either way, there are 3 things I want you to keep in mind when building a house.
In this episode, we discuss what you might experience emotionally while you’re building. It won’t feel great … but that’s OK. We all have these thoughts, so don’t beat yourself up about it.
I'm hopeful that if you keep these 3 things in mind (and know that they’re perfectly normal), you’ll feel more confident that you CAN get through your home build. Believe me, you WILL make it to the other side … and I’m here to help you.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/3-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-building-a-house
Learn more about how the 'Before You Build' program can transform your home build experience at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. ---
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Today is a very casual impromptu podcast episode all about my Before You Build program.
I’m in the middle of a live launch week of promoting my group coaching program, so I wasn’t planning on doing a podcast episode.
However, I’m getting soooo many great questions about the BYB program from potential clients that I wanted to hop onto the podcast and share the questions (and my answers) with you.
If you aren’t familiar with the ‘Before You Build’ program, I’ll give you a quick overview plus tell you about a special bonus happening right now … if you’re listening in real-time.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-program
Learn more about the 'Before You Build' Program at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. ---
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Do you think it's impossible to build your dream home without breaking the bank?
If so, (thankfully) you're wrong.
I’m here to tell you that you CAN build a house you absolutely LOVE without blowing your budget.
I know this because I did it. I built my own dream home without blowing the budget.
And you can too.
The key to building a house you absolutely LOVE (w/o breaking the bank) is to prepare for your home build in a SMART + STRATEGIC way.
And it all starts with avoiding three common mistakes that most people make when building a house.
I’m going to share these mistakes in this episode, so listen up!
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/build-your-dream-home-without-breaking-the-bank
Free Live Training on Sunday 9/17/23 at 4:00 pm CDT ('3 Simple Steps to Build a House You Absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget'): carolineondesign.easywebinar.live/registration-sep23
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you dreaming of building a custom home but you aren't sure it’s a possibility for you because you don’t have a huge budget? Guess what … this is just one of the myths about building a custom home that is swirling around. In this episode, we'll cover 3 common myths when it comes to building a custom home.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/myths-about-building-a-custom-home
Join me for a free * LIVE training on Sunday 9/17/23 at 4:00 pm CDT (3 Simple Steps to Build a House You Absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget). Register @ carolineondesign.easywebinar.live/registration-sep23*
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you dreaming of building a home, but you aren’t quite sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? In this episode, I’m sharing 7 signs you’re ready to build a custom home!
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/7-signs-youre-ready-to-build-a-custom-home
Want help bringing your dream home to life in a smart and strategic way? Learn how I can help through the ‘Before You Build’ Program at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.---
Want to learn the 4 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and without going over budget, download my FREE ‘Custom Home Build Prep Guide’ at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
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See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Creating a custom floor plan from scratch can be very time-consuming and very daunting. It’s overwhelming for anyone, so don’t freak out. You are definitely NOT alone if you’re feeling a little scared. But I want you to feel more confident so I’ve created a list for you of my top five considerations when creating my own custom floor plan. These are all five things that I want you to really think about as you create your plan as well.
If you already have a working draft of your floor plan or you think it’s done, I still want you to listen to this episode because you might realize that you want to tweak a few things here and there.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/5-considerations-for-creating-a-custom-floor-plan
Group Coaching Program: Before You Build
Dreaming of building a home and aren’t sure where to start? Download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence in decision-making, and a strategic plan to stick close to budget!
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a home is choosing the right builder for your project. Your builder can make or break your entire home build experience and I want you to have a GREAT experience :). So I’m sharing eight crucial questions to ask potential home builders as you go through the interview process.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/questions-to-ask-potential-home-builders
Dreaming of building a home and aren’t sure where to start? Download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence in decision-making, and a strategic plan to stick close to budget!
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In order to have a chance of sticking to your home build budget, you’ll most likely need to make some sacrifices and might not be able to get everything you want in your future home. I don’t want this to discourage you though. It’s simply a fact that we all deal with it when building a home. So let’s stay positive and talk about 8 home upgrades that are worth the money when building so that you can splurge where it matters!
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/home-upgrades-that-are-worth-it
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide *and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
Want help determining the best places for YOU to upgrade (or splurge) in YOUR home? Get immediate access to my digital 'Splurge & Save Planner*' for ONLY $12!
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
If you’re dreaming about building a custom home in the near(ish) future, you might be curious about what steps you need to take before building in order to make your home-build experience positive and to make your future dream home a reality.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it … there is A LOT that goes into making your home build a success and it all starts with following 6 crucial steps BEFORE you break ground.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/steps-before-you-break-ground
Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.---
Free Home Build Prep Guide: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide. ---
Wanna build your dream home within budget (regardless of the current home build market)? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Your primary bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms when building (or renovating) your home ... so you kinda wanna make sure you really think about what you want BEFORE you design this room. If you’re anything like me, you want to design a functional primary bathroom that works perfectly for the way YOU live!
In this episode, I’m sharing 9 tips to help you to design your own functional (and beautiful) primary bathroom. Do keep in mind … this is YOUR bathroom, so you can design it in any way that makes sense for YOUR family.
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/design-a-functional-primary-bathroom
Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build*.
Wanna build your dream home within budget (regardless of the current home build market)? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training*.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
This podcast episode is a little bit different than what I normally record. I'm sharing some feedback I recently received from a client that really got me thinking. I had a quick initial thought of 'that sucks' and then I realized there was some truth in what she said ... but there's so much more to it. Tune in to hear what she said and to find out exactly how my 'zone of genius' helps YOU before you build your dream home :).
Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build*.
Wanna build your dream home within budget (regardless of the current home build market)? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training*.
---Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-how-i-help
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In this episode, I’m sharing 9 tips for designing a functional kitchen. These are all things I LOVE about my own kitchen design. I’m also sharing a couple of things that I wish I had done differently in my kitchen (so you can learn from my ‘mistakes’).---
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/9-tips-for-designing-a-functional-kitchen
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
If you’ve decided to build a home and you've found the perfect lot, the next step is to choose whether you’re going to build a custom vs stock floor plan.
We’re going to start this episode by talking about the differences between a custom floor plan and a stock floor plan, as well as the pros and cons of each option.
Then I’m going to share five things that I want you to really think about if you decide to purchase a stock floor plan from an online company. These are really important considerations so please hang around until the end of the episode :).
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/custom-vs-stock-floor-plan-5-important-considerations
Wanna dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs? Grab my FREE Floor Plan Questionnaire. (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook)
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
It’s important to be realistic about ALL the costs you’ll incur throughout the building (and moving-in) process. Obviously, you'll have construction costs and architect fees (if applicable) … but there are many other expenses you need to factor in as well.
In this episode, we'll cover 7 unexpected expenses when building a house because I want to make sure that you include these ‘hidden costs’ in your budget so you don’t have any 'surprises' pop up later.
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/7-unexpected-expenses-when-building-house---
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
I think we can ALL agree that it’s HARD to choose a paint color! It can be (very) confusing and overwhelming because there are literally thousands of choices and the samples are so microscopic.
But don’t worry, in today’s episode I’ll walk you through four EASY steps that I use to get a much better idea of what a paint color will look like on a larger scale and this will help you choose the perfect paint colors for your home.
Wanna try Samplize paint samples for yourself? Here is a link to their website: https://bit.ly/3x7OusI. Please note that this is an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission for telling you about this AMAZING product :).
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/steps-to-choose-a-paint-color
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Did you know that I can help you bring your dream home to life? You know ... that cozy, beautiful dream home that friends and family can't wait to come home to? Yep, I can help. Find out how in this completely raw podcast episode that I recorded on a whim on my iPhone in the Starbucks parking lot. And guess what … it might be my favorite podcast episode to date.
Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
Wanna check out those courses I talked about in this episode? Head to carolineondesign.com/courses for more info.
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
There is a new(ish) product on the market that I am obsessed with … mess-free paint samples. These weren’t around when I built my home back in 2013 but I sure wish they were!
In this episode, we’ll cover what peel and stick paint samples are, how accurate the sample colors are (including my ‘color accuracy experiment’ results), how to use the samples, how long they take to ship, how much they cost, the pros and cons of peel and stick paint samples, and my honest review of Samplize paint samples.
Wanna try Samplize paint samples for yourself? Here is a link to their website: https://bit.ly/3x7OusI. Please note that this is an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission for telling you about this AMAZING product :).
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/peel-and-stick-paint-samples-review
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Creating your floor plan is a HUGE part of building your home. I imagine you want to build a home that flows well and is functional for YOUR family … plus, you want it to fit into your budget. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 tips to design the perfect floor plan for your family so that your home does flow well and is functional for the way YOUR family lives.
Wanna dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs? Grab my FREE Floor Plan Questionnaire. (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook)
If you want to go even deeper and get step-by-step guidance in creating the perfect floor plan for your family (plus personalized feedback from me!), check out my ‘Create Your Perfect Floor Plan’ course. (carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-course)Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/tips-to-design-the-perfect-floor-plan
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Many people jump right into designing a floor plan without taking the time to thoroughly think about the best layout for their family’s home. Please don't do this! The best way to avoid custom floor plan mistakes is to really think about how your family lives BEFORE you create your floor plan.
I want YOU to get your floor plan right and feel proud of your future home, so I’ve created a list of 10 questions for you to thoughtfully consider and answer to get you started in creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family.
If you want to dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs, download my FREE 'Floor Plan Creation Workbook'.EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/how-to-avoid-custom-floor-plan-mistakes
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Building a home will likely be one of the largest projects you ever take on. It can be emotionally and physically draining, but it can also be really fun. Believe me … I know this from first-hand experience. In this episode, I’m sharing 8 CRUCIAL tips for your first-time home build to help make this process easier for you.
Psst … Wanna know how I was able to build my house VERY close to budget? Register for my FREE on-demand training, ‘3 Simple Keys to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget (without sacrificing your must-haves)’. If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my FREE Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/8-crucial-tips-for-your-first-time-home-build
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Over the years, one of the most common questions readers and students have asked me is what I would change if I built my home again.
Honestly, there isn’t much I would change about my house (even after 9+ years of living in it), butyou’re here because you want to learn from others’ regrets after building so that you don’t make the same ‘mistakes’.
In this episode, I’m sharing my short list of what I would change if I were to build again and my hope is that something on this list will help you as you prepare to build your own dream home.
Want to dive deeper into really considering how to design your perfect floor plan?Download a copy of my FREE Guided Floor Plan Creation Workbook (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook).
Want step-by-step guidance in creating the perfect floor plan for your family (plus personalized feedback from me)? Check out my ‘Create Your Perfect Floor Plan’ course (carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-course).
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/change-if-built-my-home-again
Carrie's Custom Floor Plan: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan
Free 'Home Build Prep Guide': carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Home Build Courses: carolineondesign.com/courses
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you planning to build a home in 2023 and you're considering how you want your exterior design to look?
Maybe you still love the white exterior look but aren’t sure if it’s still in style. Or maybe you’re just curious about what the next big thing in exterior design is so that you can be ahead of the curve.
Either way, I think you’re going to love the home exterior trends in 2023.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of what is trending in home exterior design in 2023 and, hopefully, a better idea of how you want to design your own dream home :).
FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Simple Keys to Design Your Dream Home with Confidence'
Learn more at carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/exterior-design-trends-2023
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
If you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing kitchen, you're in luck because the kitchen trends in 2023 are GORGEOUS! And, even better, many of these trends are rooted in a classic design that will stand the test of time. Whoo hoo!I've scoured design websites to get an idea of the kitchen trends we’ll see in 2023. Most of the trends this year are beautiful design elements that I would gladly incorporate into my home (if I were building or remodeling in 2023).In this episode, we'll cover the top kitchen design trends we’ll see in 2023.FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Simple Keys to Design Your Dream Home with Confidence'
Learn more at carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/kitchen-trends-2022
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Has anyone ever told you, ‘It’s inevitable you’ll go over budget when building because everyone does.’ Yeah, I’ve heard that too, but it’s not true!
The #truth is that most people DO go significantly over budget when building because they fall into the trap of 3 common (and very costly) mistakes when planning to build a house.
In this episode, we'll cover the 3 common mistakes people make when planning to build a house. I see people make these mistakes over and over (and over) again, but I won’t let you fall into these traps.
FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Simple Keys to Build Within Budget'
Register at carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/costly-mistakes-when-planning-to-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you building your first (or next) home and you have no clue where to start? Are you afraid to make all of the design decisions you know you'll have to make and, even worse … are you afraid of making costly mistakes?
Building a home doesn’t have to be scary! You just need to have a plan in place BEFORE building your home. The bottom line is that the key to feeling confident as you make design decisions and not breaking the bank is going into the home build process with a plan.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/why-important-to-plan-before-building-your-home
FREE HOME BUILD PREP GUIDE:carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you considering building a house because you just can’t find the perfect existing house to buy for your family? If so, are you unsure of pricing and wondering, ‘is it cheaper to buy or build a house?’
If you’re nodding your head ‘yes’, this episode is for YOU! Let’s go ahead and answer the question of what’s cheaper … buying or building?
As you can imagine, this is a tricky question to answer in one blanket statement because there are SO many variables to consider. However, I’ll give you my educated opinion on what I know to be cheaper (and why I came to this conclusion). I’ll also share tips on how to determine what is less expensive in YOUR location.
FREE HOME BUILD PREP GUIDE:carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/is-it-cheaper-to-buy-or-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In this episode, I’m letting you in on a little secret. I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes list of my custom home build regrets 9 years after building my house.
The good news is that I still LOVE my home nine years later, but there are a few things I would do differently if I built this house again and that’s what we’ll talk about today.
Possibly one (or more) of these things will resonate with you as you build your own dream home.
FREE DESIGN TRAINING: 3 Keys to Confidently Design Your Dream Home
carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/custom-home-build-regrets
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In this episode, we’re talking about whether or not you should hire a designer when building a custom home.
I'll share the pros and cons of adding a designer to your home build team so you feel equipped to make the best decision for YOUR family.
DESIGN DREAM HOME (COURSE): carolineondesign.com/ddh-course
FREE DESIGN TRAINING: 3 Keys to Confidently Design Your Dream Home
carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/hire-a-designer-when-building-a-custom-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
When you google the phrase, ‘must haves when building a custom home’, you’ll find lists of what other people consider to be must haves in their own homes. However, these lists might not include things that are must haves in your own dream home.
In this episode, I share a lengthy list of what other people considered to be must haves in their homes. But remember … this list is simply to get the wheels in your head turning so you can create your own list of what is most important to you and your family in your future home. EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/must-haves-when-building-a-custom-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
I’m giving you seven specific steps to help you prepare for a productive first meeting with your builder so that you feel confident and organized when your builder fires questions at you about your design ideas and your budget for your future home.
If you follow these 7 steps (in no particular order), you’re going to go into that first planning meeting feeling confident and super organized because you’ll have an idea of how you want your house to look, what your must haves are, what questions to ask, and what your realistic budget is.
FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE:view.flodesk.com/pages/6169e88874d564fa09f3f580
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/prepare-for-productive-first-meeting-with-builder
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Selecting a paint color (in general) is overwhelming. Selecting a white paint color can be even more intimidating because there are literally hundreds of options to choose from.
Honestly, white can be one of the hardest ‘colors’ to choose … so I’ve narrowed down the vast amount of choices to 10 white paint colors that designers love and use on repeat (because the colors are THAT good)
PAINT SAMPLES:https://bit.ly/3aeWWsp
Please note this is an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/10-white-paint-colors-that-designers-love
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
Are you curious about how long it takes to build a house?
I'm not going to lie ... this is a tricky one to answer (especially in our current home-build climate). I can tell you that six months is the average for how long it takes to build a house. However, the length of time depends on MANY factors and we’ll cover these in this episode.
In this episode, we’ll talk about the many factors that affect how long it takes to build your home … from breaking ground to move-in day.
Unfortunately, you have very little control over some of the factors, but there ARE things you DO have control over (and spoiler alert … these are the factors you should focus on).
FREE DESIGN TRAINING: 3 Keys to Confidently Design Your Dream Homecarolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-long-it-takes-to-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
We're talking all about where to add timeless interior design finishes as well as where to add trendy finishes when you are building or designing your new home.
Are you building or renovating a house and you find yourself thinking … ‘there are so many decisions and I’m afraid I'll make the wrong one!’ OR *‘what if I make a trendy decision and end up hating it in two years?’
You are NOT alone! This is a very common fear.If you’re nervous that you’ll make the wrong* choices or make design decisions that are too trendy and you’ll soon regret making those decisions, we’ve got you covered.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of your own personal design style (not just what is trending on Instagram or Pinterest), AND you’ll feel more confident in where you should focus on choosing classic, timeless design finishes that you’ll love for the long haul ... as well as where to sprinkle in trendy finishes.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:carolineondesign.com/how-to-choose-timeless-design-finishes-vs-trendy
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
See carolineondesign.com for more resources.
In episode 15, we’re talking allll about how to finance your home build with a construction loan.
This isn’t the most exciting topic BUT a construction loan is something you really need to understand when building a house … *unless you have enough disposable income sitting around to pay for your new build! If that’s the case, I’m super happy for you!
For the rest of us, however, it’s important to know how to finance your home build.*
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a basic understanding of the two main construction loan options as well as the pros and cons of each so that you can make the best decision for your family's home build financial needs.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/how-to-finance-your-home-build
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Caroline on Design Course Suite: carolineondesign.com/courses
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Building a custom home is likely one of the most expensive projects (if not THE most expensive project) you’ll take on in your life. So it’s very important that you are familiar with how custom home builders charge so that you don’t have any financial surprises during your build.
In this episode, I’m going to give you an overview of how custom home builders charge their clients. Hopefully, this will help you feel more prepared and ready to discuss the financial side of building with your potential builders.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/how-custom-home-builders-charge
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Caroline on Design Course Suite: carolineondesign.com/courses
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
There are MANY decisions when building a new home and one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing your builder because your relationship with your builder sets the tone for your entire home build experience.
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to choose your custom home builder, including an overview of what determines a GOOD builder and several questions you should be asking EVERY potential builder you interview.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/how-to-choose-a-custom-home-builder
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Building Your Foundation Program: carolineondesign.com/byf-program
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
There are many moving parts when building a custom home. The sheer amount of decisions can be paralyzing. However, the whole process can be MUCH less overwhelming if you feel organized and in control.
In this episode, we’ll cover six EASY tips to keep your thoughts, ideas, and documents organized while building your house. The good news is that you can implement these tips immediately!
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/how-to-stay-organized-during-custom-home-build
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
'The Organized Home Build' Course: carolineondesign.com/organized-home-build
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
If you’re excited to build your dream home but you're also terrified that you'll make design decisions that you might later regret, I have good news for you. In this episode, I’m sharing the crucial first step to designing your dream home.
Completing this first step will give you SO much more confidence in your ability to get to the end of your home build and feel great about your design decisions.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/first-step-to-designing-your-dream-home
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
3 Keys to Confidently Design Home: carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
'Design Your Dream Home' Course: carolineondesign.com/ddh-course
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Are you preparing to build a custom home and you’re feeling a lil bit nervous that you’ll make design decisions you might later regret? Maybe you're looking for guidance on how to avoid making the ‘wrong’ choices?
You’re in luck because I’m going to share 3 common mistakes people make that lead to design regrets … lots of regrets, unfortunately. I see these mistakes far too often and I do NOT want you to make these mistakes.
Believe me … if you avoid these mistakes, then you will be well on your way to building a home that you absolutely LOVE!
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/3-mistakes-that-lead-to-design-regrets
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
'3 Keys to Confidently Design Home': carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
'Design Your Dream Home' Course: carolineondesign.com/ddh-course
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
If you're planning to build a home for the first time, I imagine that going over budget when building your home is one of your biggest concerns. This fear is very valid considering most people do (unfortunately) go over budget when building a home. However, this doesn’t have to be YOUR story!
In this episode, I’ll share why most people go over budget when building a home. Just remember that you don't have to be like most people! You can do the opposite and you'll have a much better chance of building your home without blowing your budget.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/why-most-people-go-over-budget-when-building
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Are you in the process of creating your custom floor plan and want to learn from others’ experiences so you can avoid making any ‘mistakes’? You’re in luck because I’m sharing five things I wish I included in my custom floor plan.
Honestly, there is very little I would change about my custom home. Our floor plan is cozy, functional, and perfect for the way my family lives, and I’m still happy with my timeless design decisions nine years later.
However, you’re here to find out what I WOULD change if I were to build again … so listen to this episode to find out!
Links + Resources:Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/wish-i-included-in-my-custom-floor-plan
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Grab your free Floor Plan Creation Questionnaire here. These 25 questions will help you truly consider your family's needs so that you end up with a home layout that is designed perfectly for YOUR family.
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Do you really need to hire an architect to design your custom home?
The (very) short answer to this question is no, but obviously, there are many factors that go into this decision.
If you google this question, you’ll notice that many of the articles are written by either an architect or a custom builder … so take their advice with a grain of salt.
In this episode, I’ll share my unbiased opinion about whether or not you should hire an architect. Plus, we'll discuss:
- The benefits of using an architect
- The drawbacks of using an architect
- When you should NOT hire an architect
- Why I didn’t use an architect
- If you do decide to use an architect, who you should ideally choose first (i.e. your builder vs. your architect).
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/need-architect-for-custom-home-design
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Are you dreaming about building a custom home in the near future, but you have no clue if you should buy your land OR create your floor plan first?
You aren’t alone … this is a common question.
My (very) short answer is to choose your land before you create your floor plan. Listen to this episode to find out WHY I recommend this.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/should-i-buy-land-or-create-floor-plan-first
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
One of my blog readers recently asked me, “is there a way to find out what the average construction cost per sq ft would be?” I’ll share my answer below about how to determine the cost to build a house but first, it’s important to note that there are MANY variables that come into play when it comes to determining home build costs.
You can find general estimates and other general indicators, but there is only ONE way to get accurate information that is exact and specific to your situation.
In this episode, I’ll share the best (and only) way to determine the cost to build YOUR house. That’s right …we’ll talk about your house specifically and not just the cost to build a house in general.
Links + Resources:Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/how-to-determine-cost-to-build-a-house
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Caroline on Design Website: carolineondesign.com
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget. Grab your guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
Are you starting to work on your custom floor plan and you want to make sure you do it RIGHT? (i.e. you wanna avoid making costly floor plan mistakes that you’ll later regret) If so, keep listening!
In this episode, we’ll cover common mistakes people make when creating a custom floor plan (or tweaking a stock plan). Unfortunately, I even see some builders (and the occasional architect) make these floor plan mistakes simply because they overlook the little details.
But don’t worry, friend … you'll have a big advantage over those people because you'll know what important details to look out for so you can avoid making these mistakes in your own floor plan.
Links + Resources:Episode Show Notes
Before You Build Podcast
Caroline on Design Website
Grab your free Floor Plan Creation Questionnaire here. These 25 questions will help you truly consider your family's needs so that you end up with a home layout that is designed perfectly for YOUR family.
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat here!
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget.
If you're building a home (or planning to build), you're probably worried about the typical things … you know, like staying on budget or making the right design decisions. But guess what?
There are MANY other things you might not even realize you NEED to think about until you are already in the thick of building your home. Don't worry ... I've got you covered with a list of 9 things I wish I had known before building a house.
Links + Resources:Episode Show Notes
Before You Build Podcast
Caroline on Design Website
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat here!
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget.
Are you planning on building a home in 2022? If so, I imagine you’re feeling a little freaked out by the uncertainty and volatility in the current home build market.
Believe me ... you are NOT alone!
I hear this fear OFTEN from my blog readers as well as members inside my private Building Your Foundation Program.
I get it … it’s a tough market right now. There is constant uncertainty and volatility in material costs and deliveries and it can feel like you have zero control over the home build process.
However, I’m here to tell you that there are TWO big things that you do have 100% control over … no matter what’s going on in the market.
Links + Resources:Episode Show Notes
Before You Build Podcast
Caroline on Design Website
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat here!
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget.
Have you been dreaming about building a home for years and you were kinda hoping that 2022 would be your year to build a custom home? Maybe now you’re feeling a little confused about whether this is actually a good time to build given the current home build climate (which let’s just be real … it’s CRAZY, to say the least)?
Let me reassure you that you are NOT alone in questioning if this is the right time to start building your dream home! This fear (and confusion) is so common that I’ve decided to address it in my very first podcast episode. The good news ... you have three options!
Links + Resources:Episode Show Notes
Before You Build Podcast
Caroline on Design Website
Wanna learn the 3 keys to building your future dream home without blowing the budget? Grab your (free) virtual seat here!
Dreaming of building a custom home but have no idea where to start? Download my free Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn 5 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stick (close) to budget.
Podcast coming in late July 2022. Go ahead and subscribe so you get the first four episodes as soon as they come out on July 27, 2022!
Welcome to the Before You Build Podcast where we cover all things planning BEFORE you build your dream home. Whether you’re dreaming of building a custom home in the future or you’re ready to start planning right now, this show is for you.
The Before You Build Podcast is your one-stop shop for actionable home-building tips as well as advice for designing your home so that you feel equipped to bring the home of your dreams to life … a home that makes you(and your wallet) happy for years to come.
I’m your host, Carrie Barker (a.k.a. Caroline on Design) and I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. Through trial and error, I created my absolute dream home that is not only perfect for the way my family lives but also turned out more beautiful than I imagined. And the best part … I did this all without blowing the budget and I still have no design regrets 9 years later.
Now I’m here to teach you everything I learned along the way so that you, too, end up with that cozy, beautiful home you envision in your head and a mortgage you’re comfy with.So grab a cup of coffee (or a mimosa!) and join me every Wednesday morning as we discuss how to plan for a successful home build with less stress, more confidence, and a plan to stick close to budget. This is the Before You Build Podcast.