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Before You Build℠ Podcast
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!
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 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
🎓 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