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Before You Build℠ Podcast

Caroline On Design

95 episodes

4 days ago

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 ...

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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 ...

Show more...

Episodes (20/95)

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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 ...

1 week ago

13 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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 sam...

1 month ago

18 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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...

1 month ago

16 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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

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 t...

2 months ago

15 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

090. The #1 Question Before Planning Your Custom Home

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 loc...

3 months ago

12 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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

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). W...

3 months ago

14 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

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

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 a...

4 months ago

11 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

087. How Construction Loans Work: A Beginner's Guide

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 d...

5 months ago

16 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

086. Draftsperson vs. Architect: What’s the Difference?

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 fo...

5 months ago

12 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

085. 3 Functional Custom Basement Details (That I Love!)

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...

6 months ago

11 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

084. The Secret to a Confident Home Build (That Most People Overlook)

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...

6 months ago

10 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

083. What to Do When Your Builder Says 'No'

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*...

6 months ago

9 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

082. 3 Mindset Shifts Before You Build Your Home

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: 🔑 Why your home should reflect your lifestyle, not just square footage 💰 How to think ...

7 months ago

9 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

081. 15 Common Custom Home Oversights (and How to Avoid Them!)

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 planne...

7 months ago

16 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

080. Where to Splurge + Save When Building a Custom Home

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 ...

8 months ago

19 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

079. Trending Exterior Paint Colors for Lake Houses 2025

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 p...

8 months ago

13 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

078. 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Home

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-homeBEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign....

9 months ago

12 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

077. Building Your Dream Home in 2025?

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...

10 months ago

14 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

076. How to Get Accurate Quotes Without a Floor Plan

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 whe...

11 months ago

11 minutes

Before You Build℠ Podcast

075. A Custom Home Build MUST DO!

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-doBEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-buildFREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-trainingWEBSITE: carolineondesign.com👉 Ready to confidently build your dream home within budget ...

12 months ago

12 minutes