096. Custom Home Planning: Use Your Next Gathering as Free Research
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
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095. Lighting and Electrical Planning with Jenn Smith
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
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094. The Real Reason People Blow Their Home Build Budget (+ How Not To!)
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
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093. My Honest DesignShop Review
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-reviewDESIGNSHOP™: rstyle.me/+2MSVa_R01PuMdwY0U84Nsw (affiliate link)SAMPLIZE REVIEW: carolineondesign.com/peel-and-stick-paint-samples-review BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-buildFREE 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
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092. 3 Home Build Budget Busters That Cost Thousands! (+ How to Avoid Them)
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-bustersCONNECT 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
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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