Advertise on podcast: Before You Build℠ Podcast

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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!

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Check latest episodes from Before You Build℠ Podcast podcast

102. What You Need to Know Before Building a Custom Home!

2026/02/04

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 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

101. First-Time Custom Home Build Advice From a Real Family!

2026/01/28

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 builderHow they designed for how THEIR family actually lives Why you don't need to be a design expert to make great home decisionsWhat mattered most to THEIR family How they managed a custom home build from three hours awayHow BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ worked in tandem with their builderTheir real budget outcome (and WHY)Their top advice for anyone planning a custom home buildPatrick 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.easywebinar.live/registration-feb26 EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/first-time-custom-home-build-advice FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

100. Why Custom Homes Go Over Budget (+ How to Avoid This!)

2026/01/21

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.easywebinar.live/registration-feb26 EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/why-custom-homes-go-over-budget BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build Claude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

099. 3 Critical Questions to Ask Home Builders Before You Sign

2026/01/14

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 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

098. Building a Home in 2026? Ask Yourself This First!

2026/01/07

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 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

097. How to Visualize Furniture in Your Floor Plan (+ Spoak Review)

2025/12/03

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 🎓 Join 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

096. Custom Home Planning: Use Your Next Gathering as Free Research

2025/11/19

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 spacesHow to translate real-life frustrations into must-haves for your floor planWhy these observations matter more than anything you'll find on PinterestThis 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

095. Lighting and Electrical Planning with Jenn Smith

2025/11/05

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/jennsmitharchitectWebsite: www.jennsmitharchitect.comFree Checklist: Lighting & Electrical Checklist FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

094. The Real Reason People Blow Their Home Build Budget (+ How Not To!)

2025/10/22

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 avoidableThe real reason most people face major budget overages mid-buildHow to clarify your vision before breaking groundWhy 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. 🙌 ... 🔗 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

093. My Honest DesignShop Review

2025/10/01

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 worksThe real cost of ordering samples (and why it's worth it)Sample quality, size, and brand selectionMy honest pros and cons after testing the serviceTips for using samples effectively in your homeThis 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 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

092. 3 Home Build Budget Busters That Cost Thousands! (+ How to Avoid Them)

2025/09/17

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.comInstagram: @carolineondesignFree Home Build Guide: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guideBuilding your dream home doesn't have to mean blowing your budget. Let's plan it right from the start! FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

091. Building a Custom Home With Your Spouse (Without Killing Each Other!)

2025/08/20

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 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

090. The #1 Question Before Planning Your Custom Home

2025/07/30

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 homeWhy you can't effectively design without knowing where you're buildingHow to evaluate locations for long-term happinessThe expensive mistakes that happen when you choose the wrong spotWhether 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! - 🔗 Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/planning-your-custom-home 🎓 Join 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

089. Custom Home Must-Haves (Ignore the Generic Lists!)

2025/07/16

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 lifestyleReal stories from families who ignored the "rules" and built homes that actually work for themHow to stop second-guessing yourself and create a must-have list based on your real life, not Pinterest dreamsThe difference between features that look amazing and ones that actually make your daily routine betterBottom 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 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

088. The #1 Custom Home Building Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands

2025/07/02

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 failureWhy having Pinterest boards isn't the same as having a clear visionThe real cost of this mistake (spoiler: it's way more than just money!)How to get crystal clear on your vision before you break groundPlus, 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 FREE CLASS: '3 Simple Steps to Build Your Dream Home Without Blowing Your Budget' @ carolineondesign.com/free-training

Podcast reviews

Read Before You Build℠ Podcast podcast reviews

4.6 out of 5

35 reviews

★★★★★

PJArnn 2026/01/28

You can THRIVE during a home build!!

We were so grateful to have found Carrie and the Before You Build program right when we needed it! We were able to start this program in the infant st...

★★★★★

jennsmitharchitect 2025/04/24

Valuable Resource for Anyone Planning a New Build

I love how Carrie shares both big-picture and the nitty-gritty details that can make or break a project. As an architect, it’s such a gift when home...

★★★★☆

Mom to a dozen 2024/07/29

Has some

She Has a lot of good ideas. I would say, though the only thing that I have heard that she has missed the point on is when she talked about a porta po...

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