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 → carolineondesign.com/wish-i-included-in-my-custom-floor-plan

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

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

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

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

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 → carolineondesign.com/need-architect-for-custom-home-design

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

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

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

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

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 → carolineondesign.com/should-i-buy-land-or-create-floor-plan-first

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

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

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

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

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 → carolineondesign.com/how-to-determine-cost-to-build-a-house

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

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

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

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

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 → carolineondesign.com/floor-plan-mistakes-to-avoid

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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