Before You Build
by Caroline On Design
July 16, 2025 5:00 pm
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!
Recent Episodes
089. Custom Home Must-Haves (Ignore the Generic Lists!)
5 days ago088. The #1 Custom Home Building Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands
3 weeks ago087. How Construction Loans Work: A Beginner's Guide
2 months ago086. Draftsperson vs. Architect: What’s the Difference?
2 months ago085. 3 Functional Custom Basement Details (That I Love!)
2 months ago084. The Secret to a Confident Home Build (That Most People Overlook)
3 months ago083. What to Do When Your Builder Says 'No'
3 months ago082. 3 Mindset Shifts Before You Build Your Home
4 months ago081. 15 Common Custom Home Oversights (and How to Avoid Them!)
4 months ago080. Where to Splurge + Save When Building a Custom Home
5 months ago