Before You Build℠ Podcast

074. The Key to Confidence when Building a House Oct 23, 2024

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming home build and you don’t know how you can possibly feel confident designing an entire house, this episode is for you. All it takes to feel confident is to have CLARITY before building your house.

There’s a reason that ‘Clarifying Your Vision’ is the very first step in my BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ Blueprint that I teach my clients.

A clear vision is an essential component to feeling confident (and in control) as you go through your home build.

It is the absolute foundation for every single design decision you’ll make while building your house.

We’re going to get into it, but if you’ve been thinking about joining BEFORE YOU BUILD℠, now is the time to do it :).

EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/confidence-when-building-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
CAROLINE ON DESIGN WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

073. My Top Floor Plan Regret (What I'd Change if I Could) Oct 09, 2024

This episode is a little different than my typical episode … it’s more of a personal explanation of my top floor plan regret that I have for my own custom home.

Although this is a personal story about my own home build experience, I know it will help anyone out there who is toying with the idea of doing what I did (and now regret).

I'm also sharing a BONUS at the end of the episode ... my second biggest floor plan regret :).
EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-regret
FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
CAROLINE ON DESIGN WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

072. Floor Plan Design with ChatGPT Sep 17, 2024

I recently decided I was going to try to create a floor plan design with ChatGPT.

I was looking online at different floor plans, and I found things I liked about each one, and then I thought, "Well, why don't I just create my own, and I'll have ChatGPT do it?"

I thought I could plug everything that I wanted in, and a beautiful floor plan would spit out, and voila, I would have it.

That's not exactly what happened.

A floor plan did spit out, but it was far from beautiful!

So that was a bust. However, I found things about ChatGPT beneficial when you're creating your floor plan.

Tune in and learn why I think ChatGPT can be a great tool in your tool belt as you create your floor plan.

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-design-with-chatgpt
FREE FLOOR PLAN RESOURCE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
ChatGPT: ChatGPT.com
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

071. The BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ Movement (How I HELP!) Sep 04, 2024

My business coach recently asked me, 'What movement would you love to create for the people you serve?' In other words, how do I want to help YOU and others who are building their dream homes?
I had SO many thoughts automatically run through my brain. I knew these things deep down, but I haven't done a great job of explaining exactly how I want to help YOU. Tune into this episode because I'm sharing it all :).
Grab a seat in my FREE class, 'How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves'. This is a great place to start!

EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-movement
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

070. Benefits of Planning Before Building Aug 28, 2024

In this episode, we’re talking about the MANY MANY MANY benefits of planning before building your house.
I see these benefits first-hand with my home build experience, as well as with my clients as they go through and complete the home build process.

I’ve started a movement to get people to PLAN before they build because I know there are SO. MANY. BENEFITS. to doing this.

It’s IMPERATIVE to PLAN if you want to stay on (or close to) budget when building.

It’s IMPERATIVE to PLAN if you want to get to the end of your home build WITHOUT regrets.

EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/benefits-of-planning-before-building
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
FREE CLASS: carolineondesign.com/free-training
CAROLINE WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

069. 11 Floor Plan Mistakes to AVOID! Aug 13, 2024

Are you starting to work on your custom floor plan and want to make sure you do it right? (i.e., you want to avoid making costly floor plan mistakes that you’ll later regret.) If so, tune in!
In this episode, we’ll cover common mistakes people make when creating a custom floor plan (or tweaking a stock plan). Unfortunately, I even see some builders (and the occasional architect) make these floor plan mistakes simply because they overlook the little details.
But don’t worry … you'll have a big advantage over *those* people because you'll know what important details to look out for so you can avoid making these mistakes in your own floor plan.
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-mistakes-to-avoid/
FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
HOME BUILD COURSES + PRODUCTS: carolineondesign.com/courses
WEBSITE: carolineondesign.com

068. Vision Before Building Your Dream Home Jul 31, 2024

If you’re worried about building and designing your dream home because you aren’t a designer (and you don’t want to hire one), I’ve got good news for you. You don’t need a designer … you just need a crystal clear vision BEFORE building your dream home.
Tune in to learn WHY a crystal clear vision of your future house is so CRUCIAL.
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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/before-building-your-dream-home
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BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ WAITLIST: carolineondesign.com/join-byb-waitlist
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

067. 3 Big Mistakes When Building a House Jul 17, 2024

I’m sharing 3 BIG (actually, huge) mistakes that most people make when building a house.

These three mistakes lead directly to going over budget on your home build.

For many people, this can be significant budget overages.

But don’t worry, half the battle of staying on budget is knowing what mistakes to AVOID.

You’ll be armed with this knowledge and you’ll know exactly what to avoid.

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/mistakes-when-building-a-house
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

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066. 3 Quick Home Build Tips Jun 20, 2024

This episode is a little different than usual, but I think it’s going to be super helpful to a lot of people.

Soooo … I got some GREAT questions from a woman who attended my free masterclass.

I answered her questions in a voice memo and I’m sharing that exact voice memo (unedited and all) in this episode.

I’m doing this because there are some golden nuggets that I think anyone building a house can take away from these answers … whether you choose to join BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ or not.

I’ll play that voice memo for you and then I’ll come back onto the podcast and tell you WHY I think this is super helpful for anyone who is planning to build a house.

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/3-quick-home-build-tips
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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

065. Beware of the Lowest Home Build Bid! Jun 05, 2024

PSA for anyone who is looking for a builder right now or will be in the future. The lowest home build bid does NOT mean the lowest price.

Let me repeat that … the lowest home build bid does NOT mean the lowest price.

In this short and sweet episode, we’ll talk about why it’s VERY important to consider more than just the bids (or price quotes) when selecting a builder.

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/lowest-home-build-bid

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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home On Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

064. Home Build Budget Overage Q+A May 22, 2024

Avoiding home build budget overages is one of the TOP home build concernsthat I hear over and over from clients inside my private BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ program.

This is a VERY common fear among people getting ready to build their dream home.

Sooo ... if you’re feeling nervous or confused about the budget piece of home building, you are definitely NOT alone.

But believe me ... the more information you know about the home build budget BEFORE you build, the better your chance of sticking to that elusive budget :).
I didn't go over budget, and you don't have to either.

In this episode, I’ll answer your home build budget overage questions PLUS I have a special invitation for you at the end of this episode because I want YOU to feel equipped and confident in your ability to build your own dream home within budget (or at least very close to budget).

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/home-build-budget-overage

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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home on Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

063. First Step to Creating Perfect Floor Plan (for YOUR family) May 08, 2024

Whether you plan to hire an architect or not, the key to designing the perfect floor plan for YOUR family (that is functional, can grow with you, and you absolutely LOVE) all lies in the very first step.

And in today’s episode, I’m going to tell you what that very first step is so that you can move forward and start creating the perfect floor plan that will work for your family now (and into the future).

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EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/perfect-floor-plan

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FREE CLASS: ‘How to Build Your Dream Home on Budget WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Must-Haves’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

062. Your Home Build Success Plan Apr 24, 2024

Before creating YOUR Home Build Success Plan, you need to really think about what a successful home build looks (and feels) like for YOU.

More specifically, how you will feel while you’re building and how you’ll feel about your house at the end of your build when you move into your brand new home.

I’m going to share what most people consider to be a successful home build.

You might relate to some of these things.

You might even relate to all of them.

You might even have other things that I haven’t added to this list.

The bottom line is to take from this list what resonates with you and leave the rest.
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/home-build-success-plan

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FREE CLASS: ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ carolineondesign.com/free-training

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'BEFORE YOU BUILD' PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
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061. Kitchen Design Q+A with Anne-Marie Klobe Apr 10, 2024

This episode is a VERY informal kitchen design Q+A session I had with Anne-Marie Klobe, Kitchen Designer. This Q+A session was not intended for my podcast but rather for clients in my private 'Before You Build' program.
However, there are SO many golden nuggets of kitchen design advice that I wanted to share with all of you! The sound quality isn't my usual standard, and the call is extremely informal, but the tips are SO worth listening to.

In this episode, we cover:

The first thing to do BEFORE you design your kitchen
The kitchen triangle rule
Tips for kitchen design elements to make your life easier
The biggest consideration for designing your kitchen
Modular cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, custom cabinets
and more!

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/kitchen-design-questions
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Connect with Anne-Marie:
Instagram: @dreamkitchen4me
Website: amklobe.kartra.com/page/Home
Email: kloberesidential@gmail.com
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Grab your seat in my FREE Training! (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training

060. Your Initial Quote for Home Build (It’s OK!) Apr 03, 2024

Your initial quote for your home build can be a little frightening, BUT it's OK!

Your initial quote is just that ... an INITIAL quote.

It doesn't mean it's the final price of your house.

It's just a starting point.

Believe me ... it's MUCH better to get a crazy high quote BEFORE you start building because this allows you time and space to pare your future house down to a comfortable price before you break ground.

Tune into this episode to learn about a concept I teach inside BYB (i.e. creating a REALISTIC budget).

Creating a REALISTIC budget (that you can actually stick to!) all starts with getting an ACCURATE initial quote and then paring it down in a strategic way.

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/initial-quote-for-home-build

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FREE TRAINING: ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ carolineondesign.com/free-training
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BYB PROGRAM: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
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059. Ripple Effects of Planning Before You Build Mar 20, 2024

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while or you know anything about my signature program, you know that I am ALL about planning, planning, and more planning before you build a house.

This (planning) is what I teach, and it’s exactly why I’ve named this podcast and my group program ‘Before You Build’.

I teach this because I know the power of planning before you ever even consider breaking ground on your new house.

Planning is honestly the key to every single positive result that you want throughout your home-build experience and beyond. Tune into this episode to learn about the positive ripple effects of planning before you build your house.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/planning-before-you-build

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Want to learn how I built my dream home within budget and without sacrificing my must-haves? It’s all in my FREE on-demand training, ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ > carolineondesign.com/free-training
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058. Floor Plan Design Process with Holly from Hereabout Feb 28, 2024

I’m chatting with Holly, the founder and architect of Hereabout, about her floor plan design process.

Holly has more than a decade of experience in residential architectural design, and she started her business, Hereabout, to bridge the gap between budget and design for people who want a thoughtfully designed floor plan but might not want to pay for (or spend the time on) creating a custom floor plan from scratch.

In this episode, we cover:

Holly’s process for getting into the mindset of her potential customers (i.e. families) as she creates her stock floor plans (FYI … most stock plans are NOT created with the potential families in mind)
Holly’s entire process for creating her thoughtfully designed floor plans (she provides such unique and well-thought-out plans ... this is rare when it comes to stock floor plans)
Holly’s process for getting feedback on her floor plans in order to improve the functionality for families (it’s pretty cool!)
How she customizes the experience for customers who purchase her stock floor plans

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-design-process
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Connect with Holly from 'Hereabout':
Instagram: @hereabout_home
Website: hereabouthome.com
Email: hello@hereabouthome.com
Holly has generously provided a 10% off code for my listeners! Use code CAROLINEONDESIGN at checkout.
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Grab your seat in my FREE Training! (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training
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057. Why Hiring the RIGHT Builder is Important (and where to start) Feb 14, 2024

Hiring the *RIGHT* builder is one of the most important parts of creating a home build experience that is both positive and successful.

In other words, your builder plays a crucial role in bringing your dream home vision to life … without completely blowing your budget.

I’m going to illustrate the importance of WHY you need to hire the right builder for your project and then I'll share some tips to get you started on the path to finding the right builder for YOU.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/hiring-the-right-builder
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'Before You Build' Program: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
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FREE Training (3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home without Blowing Your Budget): carolineondesign.com/free-training
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056. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A Jan 31, 2024

I’m in the middle of a live launch week promoting my group coaching program (the ‘Before You Build’ Program), so I wasn’t planning on doing a podcast episode this week.

However, I’m getting soooo many great questions about the BYB Program from potential clients that I wanted to hop onto the podcast and share the questions (and my answers) with you.

If you aren’t familiar with the ‘Before You Build’ program, I’ll give you a quick overview plus tell you NOW is the BEST time to join BYB!

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-program/
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Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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055. You Don't Have to Go Over Budget When Building Jan 24, 2024

You might be getting the WRONG home build budget advice.

In this episode, I share a cautionary tale about how you can’t believe everything you hear about 'going over budget when building'.

It's ok to question the so-called 'facts' because there ARE ways to build your house without completely going over budget.

I know this because I didn’t go over budget when I built my house, and now I have clients in my group coaching program who are coming in under budget too … and that’s in today’s market.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/over-budget-when-building

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Want to learn how I built my dream home within budget and without sacrificing my must-haves? It’s all in my FREE on-demand training, ‘3 Keys to Build Your Dream Home WITHOUT Blowing Your Budget’ > carolineondesign.com/free-training
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054. You Need More than Google when Building Your Dream Home Jan 10, 2024

Googling ‘How To’ posts is a great way to gather as much info and knowledge as possible when building your dream home. However, all the info in the world doesn’t make up for a lack of CONFIDENCE in yourself to bring your dream home to life.

Gathering insight, tips, and knowledge will help you to feel more knowledgeable … but you also need to feel full CONFIDENCE in yourself as you go through the home build process and make the tough decisions.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/when-building-your-dream-home
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Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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053. Building Your Dream Home in 2024? Jan 03, 2024

If you plan on building your dream home in 2024, you're in the right place!

I’m Carrie … a Home Build Coach (it’s a term I made up but you get the idea). My mission is to help women feel confident building their dream home. I do this via my ‘Before You Build’ (BYB) program.
BYB is a step-by-step framework and group coaching program that equips you to confidently build a house you LOVE and is perfect for YOUR family (now + into the future) ... without blowing your budget.
Sounds pretty amazing, right?
I can’t wait to help YOU bring YOUR dream home to life in 2024. You’ve got this, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/building-your-dream-home
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Ready to confidently build a house that you absolutely LOVE … without blowing your budget? Join us inside BYB and get immediate access to the ‘BYB Blueprint’ framework, floor plan feedback, personalized support, and so much more. Get all the BYB details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.

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052. Home Exterior Design Classic Styles Dec 06, 2023

This episode was supposed to be about home exterior design trends that we'll see in 2024. However, I decided on a whim to talk about home exterior design classic styles instead.

I’ll let you know why I last-minute changed the topic of this episode because it’s two very valid reasons, but let’s just say that I didn’t feel right talking about trends in design. It didn’t feel in alignment with what I teach my clients.
With all that said, I’ve shifted the topic of this episode and it feels in alignment with what I teach so let's talk about some of my favorite timeless exterior styles.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/home-exterior-design-classic-styles
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Want help designing your timeless dream home? I can help through my signature ‘Before You Build’ framework for designing a home that you love, is perfect for your family and comes within (or very close to) your budget can help YOU. Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.

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051. My Curated Design Fixtures + Decor Boutiques Nov 15, 2023

In this episode, I'll define what the term ‘design fixture’ means (because this can be a confusing term) and I’ll share a list of curated design fixtures boutiques that I offer on my website. I'll also share how YOU can easily shop these curated boutiques to design your own dream home.

Believe me … this is a game changer when it comes to shopping. I even use these boutiques myself when I’m on the hunt for home decor for my own home :).

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/shop-curated-design-fixtures-decor-boutiques
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Boutiques: carolineondesign.com/shop
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050. 8 Ways to Stay on Budget when Building a House Oct 25, 2023

Going significantly over budget is one of the top concerns (actually, THE top concern) I hear from my clients and readers who are preparing to build a house. I completely understand this because it was my biggest fear when I built, too. However, what if I told you there ARE ways to stay on budget when building a house?

It’s true. My husband and I built our custom home without going over budget. And I know that what we did can work for you, too. In this episode, I’ll share eight ways we managed to keep our home-build budget in check.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind (and implement them) as you build your dream home so that when your house is complete and you move in (yay!), you feel great about the final cost of your house :).

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/8-savvy-ways-to-stay-on-budget-when-building-a-house
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Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
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049. Floor Plan Feedback (Why it's CRUCIAL!) Oct 18, 2023

In this episode, I share a story about a little Christmas card mishap I had a few years ago and how this mistake relates closely to one of my favorite things I offer to clients inside my 'Before You Build' group coaching program ... personalized floor plan feedback.

I also talk about the importance of bringing in a fresh set of eyes when looking at something repeatedly (ahem ... your floor plan, in this case) and the importance of careful planning and making changes to a floor plan BEFORE building a house.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-feedback
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Learn more about how the 'Before You Build' program can transform your home build experience at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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048. 3 Things to Keep in Mind when Building a House Oct 04, 2023

As you can imagine, building a home can be a *little bit* overwhelming. Maybe you’re still just dreaming about building, or maybe you’re already in the thick of it, and the overwhelm is starting to creep in. Either way, there are 3 things I want you to keep in mind when building a house.

In this episode, we discuss what you *might* experience emotionally while you’re building. It won’t feel great … but that’s OK. We all have these thoughts, so don’t beat yourself up about it.
I'm hopeful that if you keep these 3 things in mind (and know that they’re perfectly normal), you’ll feel more confident that you CAN get through your home build. Believe me, you WILL make it to the other side … and I’m here to help you.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/3-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-building-a-house
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Learn more about how the 'Before You Build' program can transform your home build experience at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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047. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A Sep 20, 2023

Today is a very casual impromptu podcast episode all about my Before You Build program.

I’m in the middle of a live launch week of promoting my group coaching program, so I wasn’t planning on doing a podcast episode.

However, I’m getting soooo many great questions about the BYB program from potential clients that I wanted to hop onto the podcast and share the questions (and my answers) with you.

If you aren’t familiar with the ‘Before You Build’ program, I’ll give you a quick overview plus tell you about a special bonus happening right now … if you’re listening in real-time.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-program
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Learn more about the 'Before You Build' Program at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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046. How to Build Your Dream Home Without Breaking the Bank Sep 13, 2023

Do you think it's impossible to build your dream home without breaking the bank?

If so, (thankfully) you're wrong.
I’m here to tell you that you CAN build a house you absolutely LOVE without blowing your budget.
I know this because I did it. I built my own dream home without blowing the budget.
And you can too.
The key to building a house you absolutely LOVE (w/o breaking the bank) is to prepare for your home build in a SMART + STRATEGIC way.
And it all starts with avoiding three common mistakes that *most* people make when building a house.
I’m going to share these mistakes in this episode, so listen up!

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/build-your-dream-home-without-breaking-the-bank
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Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
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045. 3 Myths About Building a Custom Home Sep 06, 2023

Are you dreaming of building a custom home but you aren't sure it’s a possibility for you because you don’t have a huge budget? Guess what … this is just one of the myths about building a custom home that is swirling around. In this episode, we'll cover 3 common myths when it comes to building a custom home.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/myths-about-building-a-custom-home
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Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget?! I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
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044. 7 Signs You're Ready to Build a Custom Home Aug 23, 2023

Are you dreaming of building a home, but you aren’t quite sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? In this episode, I’m sharing 7 signs you’re ready to build a custom home!

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/7-signs-youre-ready-to-build-a-custom-home
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Want help bringing your dream home to life in a smart and strategic way? Learn how I can help through the ‘Before You Build’ Program at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
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Want to learn the 4 crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence, and without going over budget, download my FREE ‘Custom Home Build Prep Guide’ at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
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043. 5 Considerations when Creating a Custom Floor Plan Aug 09, 2023

Creating a custom floor plan from scratch can be very time-consuming and very daunting. It’s overwhelming for anyone, so don’t freak out. You are definitely NOT alone if you’re feeling a little scared. But I want you to feel more confident so I’ve created a list for you of my top five considerations when creating my own custom floor plan. These are all five things that I want you to *really* think about as you create your plan as well.

If you already have a working draft of your floor plan or you think it’s *done*, I still want you to listen to this episode because you might realize that you want to tweak a few things here and there.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/5-considerations-for-creating-a-custom-floor-plan
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Group Coaching Program: Before You Build
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Dreaming of building a home and aren’t sure where to start? Download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence in decision-making, and a strategic plan to stick close to budget!
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042. 8 Crucial Questions to Ask Potential Home Builders Jul 26, 2023

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a home is choosing the *right* builder for your project. Your builder can make or break your entire home build experience and I want you to have a GREAT experience :). So I’m sharing eight crucial questions to ask potential home builders as you go through the interview process.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/questions-to-ask-potential-home-builders
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Dreaming of building a home and aren’t sure where to start? Download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the crucial steps to prepare for a home build with less stress, more confidence in decision-making, and a strategic plan to stick close to budget!

041. 8 Home Upgrades that are Worth It When Building Jul 12, 2023

In order to have a *chance* of sticking to your home build budget, you’ll most likely need to make some sacrifices and might not be able to get everything you want in your future home. I don’t want this to discourage you though. It’s simply a fact that we all deal with it when building a home. So let’s stay positive and talk about 8 home upgrades that are worth the money when building so that you can splurge where it matters!
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/home-upgrades-that-are-worth-it
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If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
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Want help determining the best places for YOU to upgrade (or splurge) in YOUR home? Get immediate access to my digital 'Splurge & Save Planner' for ONLY $12!

040. 6 Crucial Steps Before You Break Ground Jun 21, 2023

If you’re dreaming about building a custom home in the near(ish) future, you might be curious about what steps you need to take before building in order to make your home-build experience positive and to make your future dream home a reality.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it … there is A LOT that goes into making your home build a success and it all starts with following 6 crucial steps BEFORE you break ground.
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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/steps-before-you-break-ground
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Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
---
Free Home Build Prep Guide: carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide.
---
Wanna build your dream home within budget (regardless of the current home build market)? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.

039. 9 Tips to Design a Functional Primary Bathroom Jun 07, 2023

Your primary bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms when building (or renovating) your home ... so you kinda wanna make sure you *really* think about what you want BEFORE you design this room. If you’re anything like me, you want to design a functional primary bathroom that works perfectly for the way YOU live!

In this episode, I’m sharing 9 tips to help you to design your own functional (and beautiful) primary bathroom. Do keep in mind … this is YOUR bathroom, so you can design it in any way that makes sense for YOUR family.

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Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/design-a-functional-primary-bathroom
---
Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
---
Wanna build your dream home within budget (regardless of the current home build market)? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.

038. Before You Build (How I Help YOU!) May 24, 2023

This podcast episode is a little bit different than what I normally record. I'm sharing some feedback I recently received from a client that really got me thinking. I had a quick initial thought of 'that sucks' and then I realized there was some truth in what she said ... but there's so much more to it. Tune in to hear what she said and to find out exactly how my 'zone of genius' helps YOU before you build your dream home :).
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Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.
---
Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget?! I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
---
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build-how-i-help
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037. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen May 03, 2023

In this episode, I’m sharing 9 tips for designing a functional kitchen. These are all things I LOVE about my own kitchen design. I’m also sharing a couple of things that I wish I had done differently in my kitchen (so you can learn from my ‘mistakes’).
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Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/9-tips-for-designing-a-functional-kitchen
---
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
---

036. Custom vs. Stock Floor Plan: 5 Important Considerations Apr 12, 2023

If you’ve decided to build a home and you've found the perfect lot, the next step is to choose whether you’re going to build a custom vs stock floor plan.
We’re going to start this episode by talking about the differences between a custom floor plan and a stock floor plan, as well as the pros and cons of each option.

Then I’m going to share five things that I want you to *really* think about if you decide to purchase a stock floor plan from an online company. These are *really* important considerations so please hang around until the end of the episode :).

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Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/custom-vs-stock-floor-plan-5-important-considerations
---
Wanna dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs? Grab my *FREE* Floor Plan Questionnaire. (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook)
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035. 7 Unexpected Expenses when Building a House Apr 05, 2023

It’s important to be realistic about ALL the costs you’ll incur throughout the building (and moving-in) process. Obviously, you'll have construction costs and architect fees (if applicable) … but there are many other expenses you need to factor in as well.

In this episode, we'll cover 7 unexpected expenses when building a house because I want to make sure that you include these ‘hidden costs’ in your budget so you don’t have any 'surprises' pop up later.

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Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/7-unexpected-expenses-when-building-house
---
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
---

034. 4 Steps to Choose the Perfect Paint Color Mar 29, 2023

I think we can ALL agree that it’s HARD to choose a paint color! It can be (very) confusing and overwhelming because there are literally thousands of choices and the samples are so microscopic.
But don’t worry, in today’s episode I’ll walk you through four EASY steps that I use to get a much better idea of what a paint color will look like on a larger scale and this will help you choose the perfect paint colors for your home.
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Wanna try Samplize paint samples for yourself? Click here for their website. Please note that this is an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission for telling you about this AMAZING product :).
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Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/steps-to-choose-a-paint-color

033. Want help bringing your dream home to life? Mar 22, 2023

Did you know that I can help you bring your dream home to life? You know ... that cozy, beautiful home that you absolutely LOVE, and your friends and family can't wait to visit over the holidays? Yep, I can help. Find out how in this completely raw podcast episode that I recorded on a whim on my iPhone in the Starbucks parking lot. And guess what … it might be my favorite podcast episode to date.
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Wanna learn more about how the Before You Build Program can help you bring your dream home to life? Learn more at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.

032. Samplize Peel and Stick Paint Samples Review (Hint ... AMAZING!) Mar 15, 2023

There is a new(ish) product on the market that I am obsessed with … mess-free paint samples. These weren’t around when I built my home back in 2013 but I sure wish they were!
In this episode, we’ll cover what peel and stick paint samples are, how accurate the sample colors are (including my ‘color accuracy experiment’ results), how to use the samples, how long they take to ship, how much they cost, the pros and cons of peel and stick paint samples, and my honest review of Samplize paint samples.
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Wanna try Samplize paint samples for yourself? Click here to head to their website. Please note that this is an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission for telling you about this AMAZING product :).
---
Get full show notes and more information here: carolineondesign.com/peel-and-stick-paint-samples-review

031. 3 Tips to Design the Perfect Floor Plan for Your Family Mar 08, 2023

Creating your floor plan is a HUGE part of building your home. I imagine you want to build a home that flows well and is functional for YOUR family … plus, you want it to fit into your budget. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 tips to design the perfect floor plan for your family so that your home *does* flow well and *is* functional for the way YOUR family lives.
Wanna dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs? Grab my *FREE* Floor Plan Questionnaire. (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook)

Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/tips-to-design-the-perfect-floor-plan

030. How to Avoid Custom Floor Plan Mistakes Mar 01, 2023

Many people jump right into designing a floor plan without taking the time to thoroughly think about the best layout for their family’s home. Please don't do this! The best way to avoid custom floor plan mistakes is to *really* think about how your family lives BEFORE you create your floor plan.

I want YOU to get your floor plan right and feel proud of your future home, so I’ve created a list of 10 questions for you to thoughtfully consider and answer to get you started in creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family.
If you want to dive deeper into creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family’s needs, download my *FREE* 'Floor Plan Creation Workbook'.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-avoid-custom-floor-plan-mistakes
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
BYB PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

029. 8 Crucial Tips for Your First-Time Home Build Feb 22, 2023

Building a home will likely be one of the largest projects you ever take on. It can be emotionally and physically draining, but it can also be really fun. Believe me … I know this from first-hand experience. In this episode, I’m sharing 8 CRUCIAL tips for your first-time home build to help make this process easier for you.
Wanna build a house you absolutely LOVE ... without blowing your budget? I'll teach you how in my FREE on-demand training. Grab your (virtual) seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training.
---
If you’re dreaming of building a home and have no clue where to start, download my *FREE* Custom Home Build Prep Guide and learn the five steps to build your dream home with less stress, more confidence, and a strategic plan to stay on budget.
---

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/8-crucial-tips-for-your-first-time-home-build
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
BYB PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

028. 4 Things I Would Change if I Built my Home Again Feb 15, 2023

Over the years, one of the most common questions readers and students have asked me is what I would change if I built my home again.

Honestly, there isn’t much I would change about my house (even after 9+ years of living in it), butyou’re here because you want to learn from others’ regrets after building so that you don’t make the same ‘mistakes’.
In this episode, I’m sharing my short list of what I would change if I were to build again and my hope is that something on this list will help you as you prepare to build your own dream home.
Want to dive deeper into really considering how to design your perfect floor plan?Download a copy of my *FREE* Guided Floor Plan Creation Workbook (carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook).
Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/change-if-built-my-home-again
Carrie's Custom Floor Plan: carolineondesign.com/floor-plan
Free 'Home Build Prep Guide': carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
Before You Build Podcast: carolineondesign.com/podcast
Home Build Prep Course: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

027. 7 Exterior Design Trends 2023 Feb 08, 2023

Are you planning to build a home in 2023 and you're considering how you want your exterior design to look?
Maybe you still love the white exterior look but aren’t sure if it’s still in style. Or maybe you’re just curious about what the next big thing in exterior design is so that you can be ahead of the curve.
Either way, I think you’re going to love the home exterior trends in 2023.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of what is trending in home exterior design in 2023 and, hopefully, a better idea of how you want to design your own dream home :).
FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Simple Keys to Design Your Dream Home with Confidence'
Learn more at carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/exterior-design-trends-2023
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

026. Kitchen Trends 2023 (That I'm Loving!) Feb 01, 2023

If you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing kitchen, you're in luck because the kitchen trends in 2023 are GORGEOUS! And, even better, many of these trends are rooted in a classic design that will stand the test of time. Whoo hoo!
I've scoured design websites to get an idea of the kitchen trends we’ll see in 2023. Most of the trends this year are beautiful design elements that I would gladly incorporate into my home (if I were building or remodeling in 2023).
In this episode, we'll cover the top kitchen design trends we’ll see in 2023.
FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Simple Keys to Design Your Dream Home with Confidence'
Learn more at carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/kitchen-trends-2022
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

025. 3 Costly Mistakes (to Avoid) When Planning to Build a House Jan 18, 2023

Has anyone ever told you, ‘It’s inevitable you’ll go over budget when building because *everyone* does.’ Yeah, I’ve heard that too, but it’s not true!
The #truth is that *most* people DO go significantly over budget when building because they fall into the trap of 3 common (and very costly) mistakes when planning to build a house.
In this episode, we'll cover the 3 common mistakes people make when planning to build a house. I see people make these mistakes over and over (and over) again, but I won’t let you fall into these traps.

FREE ON-DEMAND TRAINING:
'3 Crucial Steps to Build Within Budget'
Register at carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/costly-mistakes-when-planning-to-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

024. Why It's (SUPER) Important to Plan Before Building Jan 11, 2023

Are you building your first (or next) home and you have no clue where to start? Are you afraid to make all of the design decisions you know you'll have to make and, even worse … are you afraid of making costly mistakes?
Building a home doesn’t have to be scary! You just need to have a plan in place BEFORE building your home. The bottom line is that the key to feeling confident as you make design decisions and not breaking the bank is going into the home build process with a plan.

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/why-important-to-plan-before-building-your-home
FREE HOME BUILD PREP GUIDE:
carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

023. Is It Cheaper to Buy or Build a House? Jan 04, 2023

Are you considering building a house because you just can’t find the perfect existing house to buy for your family? If so, are you unsure of pricing and wondering, ‘is it cheaper to buy or build a house?’

If you’re nodding your head ‘yes’, this episode is for YOU! Let’s go ahead and answer the question of what’s cheaper … buying or building?
As you can imagine, this is a tricky question to answer in one blanket statement because there are SO many variables to consider. However, I’ll give you my educated opinion on what I know to be cheaper (and why I came to this conclusion). I’ll also share tips on how to determine what is less expensive in YOUR location.

FREE HOME BUILD PREP GUIDE:
carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/is-it-cheaper-to-buy-or-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

022. My Custom Home Build Regrets Dec 07, 2022

In this episode, I’m letting you in on a little secret. I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes list of my custom home build regrets 9 years after building my house.

The good news is that I still LOVE my home nine years later, but there are a few things I would do differently if I built this house again and that’s what we’ll talk about today.
Possibly one (or more) of these things will resonate with you as you build your own dream home.
FREE DESIGN TRAINING: 3 Keys to Confidently Design Your Dream Home
carolineondesign.com/ddh-free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/custom-home-build-regrets
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

021. Should You Hire Designer When Building? Nov 30, 2022

In this episode, we’re talking about whether or not you should hire a designer when building a custom home.
I'll share the pros and cons of adding a designer to your home build team so you feel equipped to make the best decision for YOUR family.

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/hire-a-designer-when-building-a-custom-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

020. Must Haves when Building a Custom Home Nov 16, 2022

When you google the phrase, ‘must haves when building a custom home’, you’ll find lists of what *other* people consider to be must haves in their own homes. However, these lists might not include things that are must haves in your own dream home.
In this episode, I share a lengthy list of what other people considered to be must haves in their homes. But remember … this list is simply to get the wheels in your head turning so you can create your own list of what is most important to you and your family in your future home.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/must-haves-when-building-a-custom-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

019. How to Prepare for First Meeting with Builder Nov 09, 2022

I’m giving you seven specific steps to help you prepare for a productive first meeting with your builder so that you feel confident and organized when your builder fires questions at you about your design ideas and your budget for your future home.

If you follow these 7 steps (in no particular order), you’re going to go into that first planning meeting feeling confident and super organized because you’ll have an idea of how you want your house to look, what your must haves are, what questions to ask, and what your realistic budget is.
FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE:
view.flodesk.com/pages/6169e88874d564fa09f3f580
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/prepare-for-productive-first-meeting-with-builder
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

018. 10 White Paint Colors that Designers Love Nov 02, 2022

Selecting a paint color (in general) is overwhelming. Selecting a white paint color can be even more intimidating because there are literally hundreds of options to choose from.

Honestly, white can be one of the hardest ‘colors’ to choose … so I’ve narrowed down the vast amount of choices to 10 white paint colors that designers love and use on repeat (because the colors are THAT good)

PAINT SAMPLES:
Click here for the Samplize website!
Please note this is an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/10-white-paint-colors-that-designers-love
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

017. How Long it Takes to Build a House Oct 26, 2022

Are you curious about how long it takes to build a house?
I'm not going to lie ... this is a tricky one to answer (especially in our current home-build climate). I can tell you that six months is the average for how long it takes to build a house. However, the length of time depends on MANY factors and we’ll cover these in this episode.
In this episode, we’ll talk about the many factors that affect how long it takes to build your home … from breaking ground to move-in day.
Unfortunately, you have very little control over some of the factors, but there ARE things you DO have control over (and spoiler alert … these are the factors you should focus on).
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-long-it-takes-to-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

016. Timeless Interior Design vs. Trendy Oct 19, 2022

We're talking all about where to add timeless interior design finishes as well as where to add trendy finishes when you are building or designing your new home.
Are you building or renovating a house and you find yourself thinking … ‘there are so many decisions and I’m afraid I'll make the wrong one!’ OR ‘what if I make a trendy decision and end up hating it in two years?’
You are NOT alone! This is a very common fear.
If you’re nervous that you’ll make the *wrong* choices or make design decisions that are too trendy and you’ll soon regret making those decisions, we’ve got you covered.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of your own personal design style (not just what is trending on Instagram or Pinterest), AND you’ll feel more confident in where you should focus on choosing classic, timeless design finishes that you’ll love for the long haul ... as well as where to sprinkle in trendy finishes.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-choose-timeless-design-finishes-vs-trendy
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

015. How to Finance Your Home Build Oct 12, 2022

In episode 15, we’re talking allll about how to finance your home build with a construction loan.
This isn’t the most exciting topic BUT a construction loan is something you really *need* to understand when building a house … unless you have enough disposable income sitting around to pay for your new build! If that’s the case, I’m super happy for you!
For the rest of us, however, it’s important to know how to finance your home build.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a basic understanding of the two main construction loan options as well as the pros and cons of each so that you can make the best decision for your family's home-build financial needs.
FREE TRAINING: 3 Crucial Steps to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget
carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-finance-your-home-build
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

014. How Custom Home Builders Charge Oct 05, 2022

Building a custom home is likely one of the most expensive projects (if not THE most expensive project) you’ll take on in your life. So it’s very important that you are familiar with how custom home builders charge so that you don’t have any financial surprises during your build.
In this episode, I’m going to give you an overview of how custom home builders charge their clients. Hopefully, this will help you feel more prepared and ready to discuss the financial side of building with your potential builders.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-custom-home-builders-charge
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
FREE TRAINING: 3 Crucial Steps to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget
carolineondesign.com/free-training

013. How to Choose a Custom Home Builder Sep 28, 2022

There are MANY decisions when building a new home and one of the *most* important decisions you’ll make is choosing your builder because your relationship with your builder sets the tone for your entire home build experience.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how to choose your custom home builder, including an overview of what determines a GOOD builder and several questions you should be asking EVERY potential builder you interview.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-choose-a-custom-home-builder
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD COURSES:
carolineondesign.com/courses
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

012. How to Stay Organized During Custom Home Build Sep 21, 2022

There are many moving parts when building a custom home. The sheer amount of decisions can be paralyzing. However, the whole process can be MUCH less overwhelming if you feel organized and in control.
In this episode, we’ll cover six EASY tips to keep your thoughts, ideas, and documents organized while building your house. The good news is that you can implement these tips immediately!
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-stay-organized-during-custom-home-build
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

011. The Crucial First Step to Design Your Dream Home Sep 14, 2022

If you’re excited to build your dream home but you're also terrified that you'll make design decisions that you might later regret, I have good news for you. In this episode, I’m sharing the crucial first step to designing your dream home.

Completing this first step will give you SO much more confidence in your ability to get to the end of your home build and feel great about your design decisions.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/first-step-to-designing-your-dream-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

010. 3 Mistakes that Lead to Design Regrets Sep 07, 2022

Are you preparing to build a custom home and you’re feeling a lil bit nervous that you’ll make design decisions you might later regret? Maybe you're looking for guidance on how to avoid making the ‘wrong’ choices?
You’re in luck because I’m going to share 3 common mistakes people make that lead to design regrets … lots of regrets, unfortunately. I see these mistakes far too often and I do NOT want you to make these mistakes.
Believe me … if you avoid these mistakes, then you will be well on your way to building a home that you absolutely LOVE!
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/3-mistakes-that-lead-to-design-regrets
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

009. 3 Reasons People Go Over Budget when Building Aug 31, 2022

If you're planning to build a home for the first time, I imagine that going over budget when building your home is one of your biggest concerns. This fear is very valid considering most people do (unfortunately) go over budget when building a home. However, this doesn’t have to be YOUR story!
In this episode, I’ll share why *most* people go over budget when building a home. Just remember that you don't have to be like *most* people! You can do the opposite and you'll have a much better chance of building your home without blowing your budget.
FREE TRAINING: 3 Crucial Steps to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget
carolineondesign.com/free-training
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/why-most-people-go-over-budget-when-building
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

008. 5 Things I Wish I Included in my Custom Floor Plan Aug 24, 2022

Are you in the process of creating your custom floor plan and want to learn from others’ experiences so you can avoid making any ‘mistakes’? You’re in luck because I’m sharing five things I wish I included in my custom floor plan.

Honestly, there is very little I would change about my custom home. Our floor plan is cozy, functional, and perfect for the way my family lives, and I’m still happy with my timeless design decisions nine years later.

However, you’re here to find out what I WOULD change if I were to build again … so listen to this episode to find out!
Grab your free Floor Plan Creation Questionnaire here. These 25 questions will help you truly consider your family's needs so that you end up with a home layout that is designed perfectly for YOUR family.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/wish-i-included-in-my-custom-floor-plan
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

007. Do I Need an Architect for Custom Home Design? Aug 17, 2022

Do you really need to hire an architect to design your custom home?
The (very) short answer to this question is no, but obviously, there are many factors that go into this decision.
If you google this question, you’ll notice that many of the articles are written by either an architect or a custom builder … so take their advice with a grain of salt.
In this episode, I’ll share my unbiased opinion about whether or not you should hire an architect. Plus, we'll discuss:

The benefits of using an architect
The drawbacks of using an architect
When you should NOT hire an architect
Why I didn’t use an architect
If you do decide to use an architect, who you should ideally choose first (i.e. your builder vs. your architect).

EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/need-architect-for-custom-home-design
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

006. Should I Buy Land or Create Floor Plan First? Aug 10, 2022

Are you dreaming about building a custom home in the near future, but you have no clue if you should buy your land OR create your floor plan first?
You aren’t alone … this is a common question.
My (very) short answer is to choose your land before you create your floor plan. Listen to this episode to find out WHY I recommend this.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/should-i-buy-land-or-create-floor-plan-first
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

005. How to Determine Cost to Build a House Aug 03, 2022

One of my blog readers recently asked me, “is there a way to find out what the average construction cost per sq ft would be?” I’ll share my answer below about how to determine the cost to build a house but first, it’s important to note that there are MANY variables that come into play when it comes to determining home build costs.
You can find general estimates and other general indicators, but there is only ONE way to get accurate information that is exact and specific to your situation.
In this episode, I’ll share the best (and only) way to determine the cost to build YOUR house. That’s right …we’ll talk about your house specifically and not just the cost to build a house in general.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/how-to-determine-cost-to-build-a-house
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
FREE TRAINING: 3 Crucial Steps to Build Your Dream Home Within Budget
carolineondesign.com/free-training

004. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid Jul 26, 2022

Are you starting to work on your custom floor plan and you want to make sure you do it RIGHT? (i.e. you wanna avoid making costly floor plan mistakes that you’ll later regret) If so, keep listening!
In this episode, we’ll cover common mistakes people make when creating a custom floor plan (or tweaking a stock plan). Unfortunately, I even see some builders (and the occasional architect) make these floor plan mistakes simply because they overlook the little details.
But don’t worry, friend … you'll have a big advantage over *those* people because you'll know what important details to look out for so you can avoid making these mistakes in your own floor plan.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-mistakes-to-avoid
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop
Grab your free Floor Plan Creation Questionnaire here. These 25 questions will help you truly consider your family's needs so that you end up with a home layout that is designed perfectly for YOUR family.

003. 9 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Building a House Jul 26, 2022

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 might not even realize you NEED to think about until you are already in the thick of building your home. Don't worry ... I've got you covered with a list of 9 things I wish I had known before building a house.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/known-before-building
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

002. Building a Home in 2022: What You Can Control Jul 26, 2022

Are you planning on building a home in 2022? If so, I imagine you’re feeling a little freaked out by the uncertainty and volatility in the current home build market.
Believe me ... you are NOT alone!
I hear this fear OFTEN from my blog readers as well as members inside my private 'Before You Build' home build prep program.

I get it … it’s a tough market right now. There is constant uncertainty and volatility in material costs and deliveries and it can feel like you have zero control over the home build process.
However, I’m here to tell you that there are TWO big things that you do have 100% control over … no matter what’s going on in the market.
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/building-a-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

001. Should You Build a Custom Home in 2022? Jul 26, 2022

Have you been dreaming about building a home for years and you were kinda hoping that 2022 would be your year to build a custom home? Maybe now you’re feeling a little confused about whether this is actually a good time to build given the current home build climate (which let’s just be real … it’s CRAZY, to say the least)?
Let me reassure you that you are NOT alone in questioning if this is the right time to start building your dream home! This fear (and confusion) is so common that I’ve decided to address it in my very first podcast episode. The good news ... you have three options!
EPISODE SHOW NOTES:
carolineondesign.com/build-a-custom-home
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

Welcome to Before You Build! May 31, 2022

Welcome to the Before You Build Podcast where we cover all things planning BEFORE you build your dream home. Whether you’re dreaming of building a custom home in the future or you’re ready to start planning right now, this show is for you.
The Before You Build Podcast is your one-stop shop for actionable home-building tips as well as advice for designing your home so that you feel equipped to bring the home of your dreams to life … a home that makes you(and your wallet) happy for years to come.
I’m your host, Carrie Barker (a.k.a. Caroline on Design) and I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. Through trial and error, 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. And the best part … I did this all without blowing the budget and I still have no design regrets 9 years later.
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.
So grab a cup of coffee (or a mimosa!) and join me every Wednesday morning as we discuss how to plan for a successful home build with less stress, more confidence, and a plan to stick close to budget. This is the Before You Build Podcast.
BEFORE YOU BUILD PODCAST:
carolineondesign.com/podcast
HOME BUILD PREP PROGRAM:
carolineondesign.com/before-you-build
SHOP DESIGN FIXTURES:
carolineondesign.com/shop

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