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The Before You Build Podcast
If you're thinking about building a custom home or remodeling an existing home, this show is for you! The Before You Build Podcast is your one-stop shop for practical planning advice, smart decision-making, and actionable tips to help you build or remodel with clarity, confidence, and within your budget.
We'll answer all of your burning questions such as: How do I plan for building a custom home? How do I plan a home remodel? What should I do before building a house? What should I do before remodeling my home? How do I create the perfect floor plan for my family? How do I hire the right builder or remodeling team? How do I finance my project?
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 intentional planning long before the work ever begins.
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 building or remodeling project with less stress, more confidence, and a plan to stick to budget. And just so you know ... the key to creating a home you love without blowing the budget is all in the intentional planning you do BEFORE YOU BUILD! So let's dive in and get started!
The Before You Build Podcast
094. The Real Reason People Blow Their Home Build Budget (+ How Not 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 expensive surprises, what happens when you make decisions on the fly, and the specific steps my clients take to stay on budget (or even come in under!).
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why the "30% over budget" myth exists and why it's completely avoidable
- The real reason most people face major budget overages mid-build
- How to clarify your vision before breaking ground
- Why a 5-10% buffer is enough when you plan ahead (not 30%!)
Whether you're just starting to plan or already in conversations with builders, this episode will help you make smart, confident decisions that protect both your vision and your wallet. 🙌
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🔗 EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/reason-people-blow-their-home-build-budget
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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