Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Before You Build Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 096. Custom Home Planning: Use Your Next Gathering as Free Research | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:14:06 | |
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:
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 FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: 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 | |||
| 095. Lighting and Electrical Planning with Jenn Smith | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:48:28 | |
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 🎙 JENN SMITH RESOURCES:
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 | |||
| 086. Draftsperson vs. Architect: What’s the Difference? | 21 May 2025 | 00:12:01 | |
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: 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 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 | |||
| 085. 3 Functional Custom Basement Details (That I Love!) | 07 May 2025 | 00:11:04 | |
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:
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 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 | |||
| 084. The Secret to a Confident Home Build (That Most People Overlook) | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:10:11 | |
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 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 | |||
| 083. What to Do When Your Builder Says 'No' | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:09:27 | |
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 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 | |||
| 082. 3 Mindset Shifts Before You Build Your Home | 26 Mar 2025 | 00:09:43 | |
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 through 3 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: 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! SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-your-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 | |||
| 081. 15 Common Custom Home Oversights (and How to Avoid Them!) | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:16:09 | |
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 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 | |||
| 080. Where to Splurge + Save When Building a Custom Home | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:13:46 | |
(Updated this episode 4/15/26 ... now episode 109) 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 | |||
| 079. Trending Exterior Paint Colors for Lake Houses 2025 | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:13:16 | |
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). - EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/trending-exterior-paint-colors-for-lake-houses 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 | |||
| 078. 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Home | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:12:13 | |
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 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 | |||
| 077. Building Your Dream Home in 2025? | 01 Jan 2025 | 00:14:42 | |
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 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 | |||
| 094. The Real Reason People Blow Their Home Build Budget (+ How Not To!) | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:13:07 | |
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:
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 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 | |||
| 076. How to Get Accurate Quotes Without a Floor Plan | 04 Dec 2024 | 00:11:29 | |
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.
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 | |||
| 075. A Custom Home Build MUST DO! | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:12:36 | |
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 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 | |||
| 074. The Key to Confidence when Building a House | 23 Oct 2024 | 00:14:59 | |
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 :).
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 | |||
| 073. My Top Floor Plan Regret (What I'd Change if I Could) | 09 Oct 2024 | 00:11:26 | |
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 :). 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 | |||
| 072. Floor Plan Design with ChatGPT | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:11:07 | |
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. - 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 | |||
| 071. The BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ Movement (How I HELP!) | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:13:43 | |
My business coach recently asked me, 'What movement would you 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 homes?
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 | |||
| 070. Benefits of Planning Before Building | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:11:35 | |
In this episode, we’re talking about the MANY MANY MANY benefits of planning before building your house. 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 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 | |||
| 069. 11 Floor Plan Mistakes to AVOID! | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:18:57 | |
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! 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 | |||
| 068. Vision Before Building Your Dream Home | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:08:51 | |
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. 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 | |||
| 067. 3 Big Mistakes When Building a House | 17 Jul 2024 | 00:06:57 | |
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 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 | |||
| 093. My Honest DesignShop Review | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:18:43 | |
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:
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 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 | |||
| 066. 3 Quick Home Build Tips | 20 Jun 2024 | 00:10:16 | |
This episode is a little different than usual, but I think 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 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 | |||
| 065. Beware of the Lowest Home Build Bid! | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:08:14 | |
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. - 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 | |||
| 064. Home Build Budget Overage Q+A | 22 May 2024 | 00:14:17 | |
Avoiding home build budget overages is one of the TOP home build concerns that 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 :). 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). EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-budget-overage 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 | |||
| 063. First Step to Creating Perfect Floor Plan (for YOUR family) | 08 May 2024 | 00:08:33 | |
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). EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/perfect-floor-plan 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 | |||
| 062. Your Home Build Success Plan | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:13:01 | |
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 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 | |||
| 061. Kitchen Design Q+A with Anne-Marie Klobe | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:26:16 | |
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. In this episode, we cover:
--- 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 | |||
| 060. Your Initial Quote for Home Build (It’s OK!) | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:11:02 | |
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. EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/initial-quote-for-home-build 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 | |||
| 059. Ripple Effects of Planning Before You Build | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:15:25 | |
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.
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 | |||
| 058. Floor Plan Design Process with Holly from Hereabout | 28 Feb 2024 | 00:27:56 | |
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:
--- 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 | |||
| 057. Why Hiring the RIGHT Builder is Important (and where to start) | 14 Feb 2024 | 00:13:39 | |
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 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 | |||
| 092. 3 Home Build Budget Busters That Cost Thousands! (+ How to Avoid Them) | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:16:47 | |
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 Building your dream home doesn't have to mean blowing your budget. Let's plan it right from the start! 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 | |||
| 056. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A | 31 Jan 2024 | 00:17:39 | |
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! - 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 | |||
| 055. You Don't Have to Go Over Budget When Building | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:11:25 | |
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. - - 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 | |||
| 054. You Need More than Google when Building Your Dream Home | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:11:10 | |
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.
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 | |||
| 053. Building Your Dream Home in 2024? | 03 Jan 2024 | 00:10:12 | |
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. --- 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 | |||
| 052. Home Exterior Design Classic Styles | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:12:56 | |
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. --- --- 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 | |||
| 051. My Curated Design Fixtures + Decor Boutiques | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:07:55 | |
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 :). --- 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 | |||
| 050. 8 Ways to Stay on Budget when Building a House | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:17:53 | |
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. --- 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 | |||
| 049. Floor Plan Feedback (Why it's CRUCIAL!) | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:11:01 | |
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. 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 | |||
| 048. 3 Things to Keep in Mind when Building a House | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:09:37 | |
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. --- 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 | |||
| 047. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:13:21 | |
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. 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 | |||
| 091. Building a Custom Home With Your Spouse (Without Killing Each Other!) | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:15:17 | |
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 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 | |||
| 046. How to Build Your Dream Home Without Breaking the Bank | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:11:17 | |
Do you think it's impossible to build your dream home without breaking the bank? If so, (thankfully) you're wrong. --- 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 | |||
| 045. 3 Myths About Building a Custom Home | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:08:43 | |
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. 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 | |||
| 044. 7 Signs You're Ready to Build a Custom Home | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:08:34 | |
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! --- 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 | |||
| 043. 5 Considerations when Creating a Custom Floor Plan | 09 Aug 2023 | 00:15:22 | |
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. 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 | |||