The Before You Build Podcast

Building a home in 2026? There's ONE question you need to ask yourself that will reveal whether you're truly ready—or just winging it.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between "planning" (aka browsing Pinterest) and ACTUALLY being prepared for your build.

You'll hear a real example from clients who showed up so prepared that their builder and electrician were blown away.

Plus, I'm sharing what strategic planning actually looks like—it's way simpler than you think and way more powerful.

If you've been thinking, "I'll figure it out later," this episode is your wake-up call to start NOW.

Want to feel confident and prepared for your build? Join the waitlist for BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build. Doors open February 2nd!

EPISODE: carolineondesign.com/building-a-home-2026

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

You might think your floor plan is done once the room sizes are sketched out. But here's what most first-time builders don't realize ... you can't really know if those dimensions work until you see how your actual furniture fits in each space.

In this episode, I'm sharing a tool I discovered (and tested with my own money) that helps you visualize furniture in your floor plan before you build. 

We'll talk through why this step matters so much, how to make layout decisions with confidence instead of guessing, and how this platform can save you from expensive mistakes.

You'll learn why testing furniture placement matters and how the right tool can help you feel confident about your room sizes before your builder breaks ground.

SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/visualize-furniture-in-your-floor-plan

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

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

The next time you host (or attend) a gathering (whether it's Thanksgiving next week 😉, a birthday party, or just family visiting for the weekend), you're sitting on free research for your custom home planning. 

In this episode, I'm showing you how to turn those hosting moments into valuable insights about what you actually need in your future home.

You'll learn:

• The specific questions to ask yourself while hosting (or visiting someone else's home)
• What to observe about kitchen layout, traffic flow, and entertaining spaces
• How to translate real-life frustrations into must-haves for your floor plan
• Why these observations matter more than anything you'll find on Pinterest

This works whether you're the host or the guest. These real-life insights reveal what really matters when you're designing a home you'll love living in.

...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-planning

FREE FLOOR PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE: carolineondesign.com/fp-free-workbook

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

Planning to build a custom home? Lighting and electrical planning is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of the design process. And here's the thing ... it's not something you can figure out "later." It needs to happen before your electrician shows up on site and your walls go up.

In this episode, I'm talking to Jenn Smith, a licensed residential architect with over 20 years of experience helping families navigate the custom home process. Jenn specializes in one of the most overlooked yet transformative parts of design: lighting and electrical planning.

We're covering the biggest mistakes homeowners make (like waiting too long to plan), how to future-proof your home with smart electrical decisions, where to splurge and where to save on fixtures, and the exact spots you'll wish you'd added more outlets and switches.

...

🔗 SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/lighting-and-electrical-planning

🎙 JENN SMITH RESOURCES:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennsmitharchitect
• Website: www.jennsmitharchitect.com
• Free Checklist: Lighting & Electrical Checklist 

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

Building a custom home? You've probably heard this advice: "Whatever your builder quotes you, expect to pay 30 to 35 percent more."

Here's the truth: going over budget is NOT inevitable.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the real reason people blow their home build budget and showing you exactly how to avoid this happening to you. Spoiler alert: it has very little to do with unpredictable construction costs and everything to do with clarity.

I'll walk you through why vague planning leads to expensive surprises, what happens when you make decisions on the fly, and the specific steps my clients take to stay on budget (or even come in under!).

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the "30% over budget" myth exists and why it's completely avoidable
• The real reason most people face major budget overages mid-build
• How to clarify your vision before breaking ground
• Why a 5-10% buffer is enough when you plan ahead (not 30%!)

Whether you're just starting to plan or already in conversations with builders, this episode will help you make smart, confident decisions that protect both your vision and your wallet. 🙌

 ...

🔗 EPISODE SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/reason-people-blow-their-home-build-budget

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

Curious what DesignShop IS ... and if it's worth it for your custom home build? In this episode, I'm sharing my honest review after ordering 13 different material samples – countertops, tile, cabinet hardware, wallpaper, and more.

I'll walk you through what I ordered, how much I spent, the sample quality, and whether DesignShop can actually help you make confident design decisions before you build.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What DesignShop is and how it works
• The real cost of ordering samples (and why it's worth it)
• Sample quality, size, and brand selection
• My honest pros and cons after testing the service
• Tips for using samples effectively in your home

This is NOT a sponsored episode – I paid for everything myself, and I'm giving you my unfiltered opinion. 😀

---

SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/designshop-review

DESIGNSHOP™: rstyle.me/+2MSVa_R01PuMdwY0U84Nsw (affiliate link)

SAMPLIZE REVIEW: carolineondesign.com/peel-and-stick-paint-samples-review 

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 worried about going over budget on your custom home build? You're not alone—but what if I told you budget overruns aren't inevitable?

In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 biggest budget busters that cost home builders TENS OF THOUSANDS in overages (we're talking $15K-$50K+ mistakes!), plus my proven system to avoid them completely.

If you're tired of hearing "just expect to go 20% over budget" and want to build your dream home WITHOUT the financial stress, this episode is for you!

Ready to take control of your home build? Join BYB!👇

BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ enrollment closes Monday, 9/22/25 at 11:59 PM. Don't miss your final chance to join at the current price! Get all the details at carolineondesign.com/before-you-build.

SHOW NOTES: 

carolineondesign.com/home-build-budget-busters

Building your dream home doesn't have to mean blowing your budget. Let's plan it right from the start!

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

Building a custom home with your spouse doesn't have to be stressful or dramatic. It can actually bring you closer together ... and I'm sharing exactly how to make that happen.

Learn the simple strategy that helped me get along great with my husband throughout our build and has helped hundreds of my clients build their dream homes without the drama.

Spoiler alert ... you don't need to agree on everything – you just need to respect what matters most to each other.

We'll cover:

✅ Why building together feels so overwhelming (and why that's totally normal) 

✅ The must-have strategy that eliminates most arguments before they start 

✅ Real examples from couples who nailed this approach 

✅ What to do when you can't afford all your combined must-haves

You'll walk away knowing how to honor both of your visions, stay within budget, and actually enjoy the building process together.

SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/building-a-custom-home-with-your-spouse 

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

Planning your custom home? Before you dive into Pinterest boards and floor plans, there's one crucial question that will determine whether you truly love your home for decades to come. In this episode, I'm sharing the most important consideration when planning your custom home ... and it's probably not what you think!

I'll explain why location matters more than design decisions, how to evaluate potential properties, and the real cost of getting this wrong. Plus, I'm sharing my own current location search and what I've learned in the process.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The #1 question to ask before planning any custom home
• Why you can't effectively design without knowing where you're building
• How to evaluate locations for long-term happiness
• The expensive mistakes that happen when you choose the wrong spot

Whether you're just starting to think about building or actively lot shopping, this episode will help you make confident location decisions you'll love for years to come.

Ready to plan your custom home with confidence? Download my FREE Custom Home Build Start Guide at carolineondesign.com/home-build-guide to get started!

-

🔗 Episode Show Notes: carolineondesign.com/planning-your-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

Okay, real talk. Those generic "must-have" lists all over Pinterest and home-building blogs set you up to build a house that might have some cool features, but most likely won't even work for YOUR family's lifestyle.

In this episode, I'm spilling the truth about why there are NO universal must-haves when building a custom home, and I'm sharing the four questions that'll help you figure out what YOUR family actually needs (spoiler: it's probably way different than what those lists tell you).

We'll cover:

• Why that mudroom everyone's obsessing over might be completely pointless for your lifestyle
• Real stories from families who ignored the "rules" and built homes that actually work for them
• How to stop second-guessing yourself and create a must-have list based on your real life, not Pinterest dreams
• The difference between features that look amazing and ones that actually make your daily routine better

Bottom line ... this is YOUR custom home. YOU get to decide what goes in it based on what makes YOUR life easier and happier ... not what some blog says you "must" have.

SHOW NOTES: carolineondesign.com/custom-home-must-haves

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