The Before You Build Podcast

Knowing what to clarify before building a custom home is one of the MOST important things you can do for your budget ... and yet it's one of the most overlooked parts of the entire process. In fact, there's a specific layer of clarity that very few people talk about, even though it's one of the biggest reasons custom home projects go over budget. In this episode, I'm breaking d...

If you're trying to nail down the perfect white paint color for your home exterior, this episode is for you. 🙌 I actually created this list for a blog post back in 2020 — and when I went to update it recently, I realized that every single color on that list is still just as popular today as it was six years ago. These aren't trendy whites. They're timeless ones. I actually have one...

When Joanne decided to tear down her family's lakefront cottage and rebuild on the same lot, she knew building a custom home on a small, waterfront lot was going to be anything but simple. So she joined BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ because she knew there would be a lot to think through before breaking ground. In this episode she covers: Why she chose to tear down instead of renovate Permitting and build...

I built my custom home back in 2013, and I genuinely love it. The layout is cozy, functional, and still works perfectly for my family over 12 years later. However, there *are* a few things I'd do differently if I built this house again. In this MVP episode, I'm sharing 5 things I wish I had included in our custom floor plan. Tune in because these are details most people don't think...

In this episode, I'm answering a question I got from someone in my free on-demand class, and honestly, it was SO good I had to share it with everyone. We're talking about how to create a realistic budget before you ever sit down with a builder — so that when you do get a quote, it actually means something. I walk you through: Why your vision has to come before your numbers (and why skipp...

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 t...

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 wher...

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 buildin...

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 ho...

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&apo...

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 ca...

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 rarel...

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 T...

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...

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...

First-time custom home build advice from a REAL family who just moved into their brand new home.  Patrick and Jessica share their real experience going through BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ and how this program helped them build with confidence. In this episode, we cover: How they vetted and found their amazing custom home builder How they designed for how THEIR family actually lives  Why you don't need...

Nine out of ten custom homes go over budget. 😳 If you're wondering WHY, this episode will show you exactly what's happening—and how to avoid it. I'm breaking down the real reasons most builds go 10-20% (or more!) over budget.  You'll learn why that initial builder quote is NOT what your home will actually cost, the exact moment most people start blowing their budget (before co...

Choosing the right builder can make or break your entire home-building experience, so you want to be SURE you're choosing the RIGHT builder. In this episode, I'm sharing the three most important questions to ask home builders during interviews. These aren't the typical questions you'll find online. These are the questions that will save you time, stress, and thousands of dollar...

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 electric...

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 be...

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 q...

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 architec...

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 w...

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 b...

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 "ju...