Ep. 5 | Don't Choose Your Builder Based on a Free Estimate! What You Should Do To Avoid Being Surprised by Your Budget

Ep. 6 | The Build Her Home Society Is Here

In this episode Lara introduces the upcoming Build Her Home Society, a new membership community designed for women who are building, renovating, or simply making a house feel like home. She explains how the idea grew from wanting a more organized, supportive space than a Slack channel, and shares that the platform will include courses, construction videos, onboarding documents, expert connections, freebies, live events, member directories, and topic-based chat areas. Lara also highlights the community’s regional chats, where members can connect locally, swap recommendations, and meet up in real life, and she closes by inviting listeners to join the waitlist and participate in the free Facebook community. JOIN THE BHH SOCIETY WAITLIST https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/bhhsocietywaitlist [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/bhhsocietywaitlist] ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome] ⁠⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildherhomecommunity] ⁠⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠ [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/landandhomesitechecklist]

Ep. 5 | Don't Choose Your Builder Based on a Free Estimate! What You Should Do To Avoid Being Surprised by Your Budget

In this episode, Lara shares why so many homeowners end up thousands of dollars over budget—and how you can avoid it. We’ll talk about why builder estimates can vary so much, what a realistic construction budget should include, why pre-construction is one of the smartest investments you can make, and the red flags to watch for before signing a contract. If you're planning to build a custom home, this episode will help you make more informed decisions and protect your budget from costly surprises. ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome] ⁠⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildherhomecommunity] ⁠⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠ [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/landandhomesitechecklist] How to Find A Builder You Trust Mini-Course [https://laradollkennedy.mykajabi.com/offers/uWWvNzk6]

Ep. 4 | If We Had $50K Extra in the Build Budget — Here's Exactly Where We'd Spend It

Thinking about where you'd spend an extra $50,000 in your home build? In this episode, Lara and Steven Kennedy play a builder-versus-homeowner game and break down exactly where they'd invest additional budget—and where they wouldn't spend a dime. From kitchens and prep pantries to windows, lighting, storage, and primary bathrooms, they share the upgrades that improve daily life, increase long-term value, and make your home feel better to live in. Plus, Steven gives some surprisingly strong opinions on pot fillers, wine rooms, outdoor kitchens, pools, and smart home systems. Whether you're building a starter home or your forever home, this episode will help you think more strategically about where your money will have the biggest impact. In this episode you'll learn: • The one area of your home that's almost always worth investing more money in • Why windows are one of the smartest upgrades you can make during construction • The difference between having more storage and having better storage • Which "invisible" features create a more comfortable, energy-efficient home • Why lighting may be the most overlooked luxury in a custom home • The bathroom upgrades that improve everyday life—and the ones that aren't worth the splurge • Steven's hot takes on pot fillers, wine rooms, outdoor kitchens, pools, smart home systems, and more • How to think like a builder when deciding where to allocate your budget If someone handed you an extra $50,000 for your build tomorrow, where would you spend it? ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome] ⁠⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildherhomecommunity] ⁠⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠ [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/landandhomesitechecklist]

Ep. 3 | Building With A Spouse (And Not Losing Your Minds)

Building a home with your partner can bring you closer together… or reveal that you have very different opinions about grout color, budgets, and who was supposed to email the builder back. In this episode, Lara shares three practical ways couples can stay connected, communicate better, and reduce stress during the building process. From dividing responsibilities to creating systems that keep everyone informed, this episode is packed with simple strategies that can protect both your project and your relationship. Because building a home isn't just about finishes and floor plans — it's about learning how to build as a team. * Why trying to make every decision together can actually create more conflict * How to divide responsibilities based on strengths and decision-making styles * The simple weekly habit that can dramatically improve communication during a build * Why every couple needs a shared "build brain" * How organization reduces stress, confusion, and resentment * The difference between building a house together and truly functioning as a team ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome] ⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildherhomecommunity] ⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠ [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/landandhomesitechecklist]

Ep. 2 | Are You the Red Flag? 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Get Upset With Your Builder

Before you fire off that frustrated text or assume your builder dropped the ball — pause. In this episode, Lara walks you through six quick questions to ask yourself before blaming your builder. This isn’t about taking the blame; it’s about becoming the kind of homeowner who leads with clarity, calm, and confidence. Learn how to communicate better, set realistic expectations, and strengthen your builder-client relationship (and your sanity) through self-awareness and structure. * The one thing every builder wishes clients would do before sending “that” message * How to tell the difference between a true delay and standard construction timelines * Why clear, written communication protects both you and your builder * How decision lag quietly derails your schedule * Why custom homes don’t move at Amazon Prime speed (and why that’s a good thing) * The emotional reset that instantly changes how you handle stress during a build ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome] ⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildherhomecommunity] ⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠ [https://blackcastle.myflodesk.com/landandhomesitechecklist]