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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
098. Building a Home in 2026? Ask Yourself This First!
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Building a home in 2026? There's ONE question you need to ask yourself that will reveal whether you're truly ready—or just winging it.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between "planning" (aka browsing Pinterest) and ACTUALLY being prepared for your build.
You'll hear a real example from clients who showed up so prepared that their builder and electrician were blown away.
Plus, I'm sharing what strategic planning actually looks like—it's way simpler than you think and way more powerful.
If you've been thinking, "I'll figure it out later," this episode is your wake-up call to start NOW.
Want to feel confident and prepared for your build? Join the waitlist for BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. Doors open February 2nd!
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/building-a-home-2026
FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training