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 100% relevant today! I updated the blog post with additional tips and resources in May 2026.

SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/known-before-building

SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-save-planner

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 clients, a personal story from my own build that perfectly illustrates why knowing your priorities BEFORE building changes everything, and everything you need to know about my brand new SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ — the tool I honestly believe should be in the hands of EVERY SINGLE PERSON building or renovating a home.

Because here's the truth … you don't need an unlimited budget, you just need to know YOUR priorities. 🙌

SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/how-to-prioritize-your-home-build-budget

SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 list will only get you so far.

Tune in to learn my simple framework, and to find out exactly how to build your very own personalized SPLURGE + SAVE PLAN around YOUR family's priorities.

SHOW NOTES → carolineondesign.com/where-to-splurge-and-save-when-building

SPLURGE + SAVE PLANNER℠ → carolineondesign.com/splurge-blog-promo

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 — including the moment I saw my home exterior in 3D for the first time and seriously hated it. 😬 

If you're in the planning stages of your custom home build, tune into this one ... you'll be SO glad you did!

EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/custom-home-exterior-regrets

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

MY 3D RENDERING → carolineondesign.com/custom-home-build-must-do

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 build experience. Here's what we're covering:

• Why the chaos isn't actually the problem
• The two types of overwhelm you'll face during a build (and how to handle both)
• What you can do right now to feel more prepared and less reactive going into your build

You're going to be okay. Promise. 🙌

EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/overwhelmed-building-a-home

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE HOME BUILD GUIDE → carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 WORKBOOK → carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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?", the better question is: "Is now the right time for us to build, given our budget, our goals, and our level of preparation?"

In this episode, I'm walking you through whether waiting actually helps, and the specific questions to ask your builder to protect your budget, no matter what the market is doing.

EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/rising-construction-costs

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 island
• The placement trick that makes everyday tasks so much easier
• Why a butler's pantry and coffee bar are at the TOP of my list for my next home
• Two things I'd change about my current kitchen after 12+ years

The most beautiful kitchen won't make you happy if it doesn't work for how your family actually lives.

This episode gives you real-life lessons so you can design a kitchen that makes your daily life easier—not more frustrating.

FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK → carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook

EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/9-tips-for-designing-a-functional-kitchen

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ → carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 of my list (for my next house)
• The exact kitchen island size I wish I had (and why I had to forego it)
• How combining my mudroom and laundry room seemed smart on paper, but doesn't work in real life
• The one thing I added to my daughters' closets but forgot to add to my own (oops!) 😳
• PLUS, four things I got 100% right and would never change

Thankfully, we took the time to plan strategically BEFORE we built, so none of these are actual regrets—they're just small things I'd tweak next time.

This is what I want for YOU too. 

This episode gives you my real-life lessons learned so you can make smarter floor plan decisions NOW—before they become permanent.

FREE FLOOR PLAN WORKBOOK: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook
EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/change-if-built-my-home-again
BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training

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 budget overages and regrets.

Plus, I'm breaking down why planning 6-12 months ahead is your secret weapon for staying close to budget and loving your finished home. 🙌

If you're just dreaming about building or actively interviewing builders, this episode gives you the roadmap to avoid the mistakes that cost people tens of thousands of dollars (or more 😳).

🎉 BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ enrollment is open RIGHT NOW through Monday, February 9th!  🎉 Get all the details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build 

EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/what-to-know-before-building-a-custom-home

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠: carolineondesign.com/before-you-build

FREE CLASS → 4 Steps to Build Within Budget and Without Regrets! Grab your seat at carolineondesign.com/free-training