Before You Build℠ Podcast

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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
  • 084. The Secret to a Confident Home Build (That Most People Overlook)
    Apr 23, 2025 – 10:11
  • 083. What to Do When Your Builder Says 'No'
    Apr 9, 2025 – 09:27
  • 082. 3 Mindset Shifts Before You Build Your Home
    Mar 26, 2025 – 09:43
  • 081. 15 Common Custom Home Oversights (and How to Avoid Them!)
    Mar 12, 2025 – 16:09
  • 080. Where to Splurge + Save When Building a Custom Home
    Feb 26, 2025 – 19:49
  • 079. Trending Exterior Paint Colors for Lake Houses 2025
    Feb 12, 2025 – 13:16
  • 078. 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Home
    Jan 15, 2025 – 12:13
  • 077. Building Your Dream Home in 2025?
    Jan 1, 2025 – 14:42
  • 076. How to Get Accurate Quotes Without a Floor Plan
    Dec 4, 2024 – 11:29
  • 075. A Custom Home Build MUST DO!
    Nov 6, 2024 – 12:36
  • 074. The Key to Confidence when Building a House
    Oct 23, 2024 – 14:59
  • 073. My Top Floor Plan Regret (What I'd Change if I Could)
    Oct 9, 2024 – 11:26
  • 072. Floor Plan Design with ChatGPT
    Sep 17, 2024 – 11:07
  • 071. The BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ Movement (How I HELP!)
    Sep 4, 2024 – 13:43
  • 070. Benefits of Planning Before Building
    Aug 28, 2024 – 11:35
  • 069. 11 Floor Plan Mistakes to AVOID!
    Aug 13, 2024 – 18:57
  • 068. Vision Before Building Your Dream Home
    Jul 31, 2024 – 08:51
  • 067. 3 Big Mistakes When Building a House
    Jul 17, 2024 – 06:57
  • 066. 3 Quick Home Build Tips
    Jun 20, 2024 – 10:16
  • 065. Beware of the Lowest Home Build Bid!
    Jun 5, 2024 – 08:14
  • 064. Home Build Budget Overage Q+A
    May 22, 2024 – 14:17
  • 063. First Step to Creating Perfect Floor Plan (for YOUR family)
    May 8, 2024 – 08:33
  • 062. Your Home Build Success Plan
    Apr 24, 2024 – 13:01
  • 061. Kitchen Design Q+A with Anne-Marie Klobe
    Apr 10, 2024 – 26:16
  • 060. Your Initial Quote for Home Build (It’s OK!)
    Apr 3, 2024 – 11:02
  • 059. Ripple Effects of Planning Before You Build
    Mar 20, 2024 – 15:25
  • 058. Floor Plan Design Process with Holly from Hereabout
    Feb 28, 2024 – 27:56
  • 057. Why Hiring the RIGHT Builder is Important (and where to start)
    Feb 14, 2024 – 13:39
  • 056. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A
    Jan 31, 2024 – 17:39
  • 055. You Don't Have to Go Over Budget When Building
    Jan 24, 2024 – 11:25
  • 054. You Need More than Google when Building Your Dream Home
    Jan 10, 2024 – 11:10
  • 053. Building Your Dream Home in 2024?
    Jan 3, 2024 – 10:12
  • 052. Home Exterior Design Classic Styles
    Dec 6, 2023 – 12:56
  • 051. My Curated Design Fixtures + Decor Boutiques
    Nov 15, 2023 – 07:55
  • 050. 8 Ways to Stay on Budget when Building a House
    Oct 25, 2023 – 17:53
  • 049. Floor Plan Feedback (Why it's CRUCIAL!)
    Oct 18, 2023 – 11:01
  • 048. 3 Things to Keep in Mind when Building a House
    Oct 4, 2023 – 09:37
  • 047. 'Before You Build' Program Q+A
    Sep 20, 2023 – 13:21
  • 046. How to Build Your Dream Home Without Breaking the Bank
    Sep 13, 2023 – 11:17
  • 045. 3 Myths About Building a Custom Home
    Sep 6, 2023 – 08:43
  • 044. 7 Signs You're Ready to Build a Custom Home
    Aug 23, 2023 – 08:34
  • 043. 5 Considerations when Creating a Custom Floor Plan
    Aug 9, 2023 – 15:22
  • 042. 8 Crucial Questions to Ask Potential Home Builders
    Jul 26, 2023 – 08:14
  • 041. 8 Home Upgrades that are Worth It When Building
    Jul 12, 2023 – 12:15
  • 040. 6 Crucial Steps Before You Break Ground
    Jun 21, 2023 – 10:57
  • 039. 9 Tips to Design a Functional Primary Bathroom
    Jun 7, 2023 – 22:06
  • 038. Before You Build (How I Help YOU!)
    May 24, 2023 – 14:05
  • 037. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen
    May 3, 2023 – 13:56
  • 036. Custom vs. Stock Floor Plan: 5 Important Considerations
    Apr 12, 2023 – 16:55
  • 035. 7 Unexpected Expenses when Building a House
    Apr 5, 2023 – 11:37
Recent Reviews
  • jennsmitharchitect
    Valuable Resource for Anyone Planning a New Build
    I love how Carrie shares both big-picture and the nitty-gritty details that can make or break a project. As an architect, it’s such a gift when homeowners educate themselves on what it really takes to design & build a new construction home- and this show makes that possible in such an empowering, approachable way!
  • Adif09
    Has some
    She Has a lot of good ideas. I would say, though the only thing that I have heard that she has missed the point on is when she talked about a porta potty. Yeah that’s true, You’re getting a porta potty so that people don’t go to the bathroom in crazy spots but more it’s called respect for the contractors who are coming in. I mean when you gotta go you gotta go, its biology. Yes my husband is a contractor (foundation)and he finds that a lot of people are cheap and don’t get one. His footing guy has his two daughters that work on the job sites. What 20-year-old girl on a construction site wants to squat in the corner? Also, make sure the workers have water. It’s just nice! my husband always always raves about the people who bring ice water and a plate of cookies(I understand you are paying them but you would be surprised on things they won’t charge you for by being nice). Oh and fun fact for you, we know contractors who will add $500 on to the bill for no bathrooms. So no savings by not getting one!
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