Before You Build℠ Podcast podcast | Listen online for free

107 episodes

106. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid
11/03/2026 | 13 mins.
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
105. Rising Construction Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build?
04/03/2026 | 12 mins.
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
104. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen
18/02/2026 | 15 mins.
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
103. 4 Things I Would Change if I Built My Home Again
11/02/2026 | 14 mins.
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
102. What You Need to Know Before Building a Custom Home!
04/02/2026 | 12 mins.
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

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About Before You Build℠ Podcast

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!

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