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The 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!
Episodes
113 episodes
111. How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget Before Meeting a Builder
In this episode, I'm answering a question I got from someone in my free on-demand class, and honestly, it was SO good I had to share it with everyone.We're talking about how to create a realistic budget before you ever sit down with a bu...
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MVP: 9 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Building a Custom Home
If you're building a home (or planning to build), you're probably worried about the typical things … you know, like staying on budget or making the right design decisions. But guess what?There are MANY other things you...
110. How to Prioritize Your Home Build Budget
Going over budget when building a custom home isn't inevitable. It does happen often, but it is NOT inevitable. One of the biggest causes is not knowing how to prioritize your home build budget.In this episode, I'm talking about one of t...
109. Where to Splurge and Save When Building a Custom Home
Going over budget is one of the biggest fears I hear from people building a custom home. But here's what I want you to know … It is possible to build within, or very close to, your budget. It all comes down to knowing where...
108. How to Avoid Custom Home Exterior Regrets
Have you ever driven past a house and thought, something just looks off — but you couldn't quite put your finger on it? I see it all the time. And it's not just on low-cost homes … I see it on multi-million-dollar homes too.It's...
107. Overwhelmed Building a Home? You’re Going to Be Okay!
Feeling overwhelmed just thinking about building a home is one of the most common things I hear from people planning a custom build. And, honestly, it makes complete sense. You're making hundreds of high-stakes decisions you'...
106. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid
After auditing 300+ floor plans, I can tell you this: the same mistakes keep showing up. And they're not dramatic design flaws — they're subtle oversights that are easy to miss on paper but noticeable every single day once you're livin...
105. Rising Construction Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build?
If you're planning on building a custom home, rising construction costs are likely scaring you a little bit … and I totally get that!You might be wondering … Should we wait? Will prices come down? Will next year be a better time to b...
104. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen
After living in my custom home for 12+ years, I've learned exactly what makes a kitchen truly functional versus just pretty.In this episode, I'm sharing 9 tips for designing a functional kitchen, including:Why you need at lea...
103. 4 Things I Would Change if I Built My Home Again
Clients and podcast listeners ask me the same question over and over: "What would YOU change if you built your home again?"After living in my custom home for almost 13 years (and now planning my NEXT build), I've really been thinking abo...
102. What You Need to Know Before Building a Custom Home!
Wondering what you need to know before building a custom home?In this episode, I'm answering the most common questions I hear from first-time custom home builders—the practical stuff you need to know BEFORE you start.You'll learn ...
101. First-Time Custom Home Build Advice From a Real Family!
First-time custom home build advice from a REAL family who just moved into their brand new home. Patrick and Jessica share their real experience going through BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ and how this program helped them build with confidence....
100. Why Custom Homes Go Over Budget (+ How to Avoid This!)
Nine out of ten custom homes go over budget. 😳If you're wondering WHY, this episode will show you exactly what's happening—and how to avoid it.I'm breaking down the real reasons most builds go 10-20% (or more!) over budget. <...
099. 3 Critical Questions to Ask Home Builders Before You Sign
Choosing the right builder can make or break your entire home-building experience, so you want to be SURE you're choosing the RIGHT builder.In this episode, I'm sharing the three most important questions to ask home builders during inter...
098. Building a Home in 2026? Ask Yourself This First!
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 ACTUA...
097. How to Visualize Furniture in Your Floor Plan (+ Spoak Review)
You might think your floor plan is done once the room sizes are sketched out. But here's what most first-time builders don't realize ... you can't really know if those dimensions work until you see how your actual furniture fits in each space.<...
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 s...
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 ...
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 r...
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 wa...
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 THOUSA...
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...
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 considerati...
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 ...
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 b...