The Before You Build Podcast

Episodes

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  116. What to Consider Before Building a House (or Renovating) 05.08.2026 15m

  Most people think planning a home starts with floor plans, Pinterest boards, and picking out beautiful finishes. But what if that's actually the wrong place to start? The most important decisions happen long before you ever choose a countertop or paint color. In this episode, I'm sharing the three things I believe everyone should consider before building, renovating, or buying a home ... and why skipping them is the reason so many people end up unhappy with the final result. If you're in the ...
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  115. We Unexpectedly Bought an Existing House (Say What?!) 22.07.2026 18m

  Most people assume designing a home you love starts with choosing finishes, fixtures, and paint colors ... but after unexpectedly buying an existing house, I realized what actually matters MOST. (and yes ... considering I've spent years helping people build custom homes, this surprised me too! ) 😉 In this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected journey that led my husband and me to buy an existing home, plus the three foundational pieces you need to get right BEFORE you build, renovate, or buy a ...
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  114. What to Clarify Before Building a Custom Home 17.06.2026 17m

  Knowing what to clarify before building a custom home is one of the MOST important things you can do for your budget ... and yet it's one of the most overlooked parts of the entire process. In fact, there's a specific layer of clarity that very few people talk about, even though it's one of the biggest reasons custom home projects go over budget. In this episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means to be "ready" to build, why finish selections impact your budget more than most people rea...
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  113. Best Exterior White Paint Colors (That Are Timeless) 03.06.2026 11m

  If you're trying to nail down the perfect white paint color for your home exterior, this episode is for you. 🙌 I actually created this list for a blog post back in 2020 — and when I went to update it recently, I realized that every single color on that list is still just as popular today as it was six years ago. These aren't trendy whites. They're timeless ones. I actually have one of these white colors all over my own home interior … doors, trim, cabinets, ceilings, built-ins. I've been in m...
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  112. Building a Custom Home on Family Property: Joanne’s Story 27.05.2026 41m

  When Joanne decided to tear down her family's lakefront cottage and rebuild on the same lot, she knew building a custom home on a small, waterfront lot was going to be anything but simple. So she joined BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ because she knew there would be a lot to think through before breaking ground. In this episode she covers: Why she chose to tear down instead of renovatePermitting and building on a lakefront lotDesigning vertically on a small footprint while planning for aging in placeStayin...
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  MVP: 5 Things I Wish I Included in my Custom Floor Plan 20.05.2026 10m

  I built my custom home back in 2013, and I genuinely love it. The layout is cozy, functional, and still works perfectly for my family over 12 years later. However, there *are* a few things I'd do differently if I built this house again. In this MVP episode, I'm sharing 5 things I wish I had included in our custom floor plan. Tune in because these are details most people don't think about until after they've moved in, and by then, it's too late. Note: This episode was originally recorded in 20...
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  111. How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget Before Meeting a Builder 13.05.2026 13m

  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 builder — so that when you do get a quote, it actually means something. I walk you through: Why your vision has to come before your numbers (and why skipping this step is so costly)How to identify your true financial comfort zone — not just your ceilingWhat mos...
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  MVP: 9 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Building a Custom Home 06.05.2026 11m

  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. Note: This episode was recorded in 2022, but the content is still ...
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  110. How to Prioritize Your Home Build Budget 29.04.2026 13m

  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 the most important things you can do before you break ground … and that is to get crystal clear on YOUR family's priorities so you know exactly where to splurge and save throughout your entire build. I'm sharing the simple two-part framework I use with my clie...
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  109. Where to Splurge and Save When Building a Custom Home 15.04.2026 13m

  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 YOU should splurge and where YOU should save when building. In this episode, I break down my simple two-rule framework for deciding where to splurge and save when building. I also share some of the best areas (in general) to invest and cut back … and why a generic li...
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  108. How to Avoid Custom Home Exterior Regrets 01.04.2026 15m

  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 not a budget problem. It's a gap in the design process that SO many people miss completely. In this episode, I'm breaking down why some custom home exteriors end up looking awkward, and the one simple thing that prevents it. I'm also sharing my own personal story — i...
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  107. Overwhelmed Building a Home? You’re Going to Be Okay! 25.03.2026 13m

  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've never had to make before, on a timeline that's largely outside of your control, with A LOT of money on the line. In this episode, I'm sharing what I've been learning from my business coach about balance — and why every single principle applies directly to your home bui...
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  106. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid 11.03.2026 13m

  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 living in your home. In episode 106, I'm sharing the four most common floor plan patterns I see that lead to daily frustration and regrets — so you can catch them before construction begins. EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/common-floor-plan-mistakes FREE FLOOR PLAN WO...
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  105. Rising Construction Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build? 04.03.2026 12m

  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 build? These are completely normal thoughts, and you're not alone. But here's what most people don't fully think through … construction costs rarely drop in a meaningful, lasting way. So instead of asking yourself, "Will it be cheaper to build if we wait?", ...
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  104. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen 18.02.2026 15m

  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 least 42" of walking space around your islandThe placement trick that makes everyday tasks so much easierWhy a butler's pantry and coffee bar are at the TOP of my list for my next homeTwo things I'd change about my current kitchen after 12+ yearsThe most beautiful kitchen ...
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  103. 4 Things I Would Change if I Built My Home Again 11.02.2026 14m

  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 about my answer to this question. I don't have any regrets, but there ARE some tweaks I would make. In this episode, I'm sharing four things I'd change if I built again, and four things I would NEVER change. We cover: Why separate primary closets are at the TOP ...
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  102. What You Need to Know Before Building a Custom Home! 04.02.2026 12m

  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 what the first step actually is (hint: it's NOT interviewing builders!), why you need a crystal clear vision before you ever get a quote, when the right time to start planning is (way earlier than you think!), and the two BIG mistakes that almost always lead to bud...
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  101. First-Time Custom Home Build Advice From a Real Family! 28.01.2026 44m

  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. In this episode, we cover: How they vetted and found their amazing custom home builderHow they designed for how THEIR family actually lives Why you don't need to be a design expert to make great home decisionsWhat mattered most to THEIR family How ...
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  100. Why Custom Homes Go Over Budget (+ How to Avoid This!) 21.01.2026 12m

  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. You'll learn why that initial builder quote is NOT what your home will actually cost, the exact moment most people start blowing their budget (before construction even starts!), and what the 1 in 10 who stay on budget do differently. Plus, I'm sharing Mare's story—...
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  099. 3 Critical Questions to Ask Home Builders Before You Sign 14.01.2026 11m

  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 interviews. These aren't the typical questions you'll find online. These are the questions that will save you time, stress, and thousands of dollars. You'll learn exactly what to listen for in their answers, how to spot red flags, and the one step most people skip...