Build Her Home | Home Building & Renovation Support for Women

Lara Kennedy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

Building a house is one thing. Building your home is another. Welcome to Build Her Home — the podcast where we pull back the curtain on the custom home building process, from the first sketch of your dream home to the final walkthrough. Hosted by Lara Kennedy, founder of Black Castle Homes, this show was created for women who are stepping into the role of homeowner, decision-maker, and visionary — even if it’s your first time working with a custom home builder or managing a new construction home. Each episode breaks down the real-life journey of building a home: how to choose the right build

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    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 ⁠⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠

    47 min

  2. May 19

    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 conflictHow to divide responsibilities based on strengths and decision-making stylesThe simple weekly habit that can dramatically improve communication during a buildWhy every couple needs a shared "build brain"How organization reduces stress, confusion, and resentmentThe difference between building a house together and truly functioning as a team✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome⁠ ⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠ ⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠

    19 min

  3. May 19

    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 ⁠FREE Facebook Group⁠ ⁠Land & Home Site Checklist⁠

    24 min

  4. May 19

    Ep. 1 | So You Want to GC Your Own Home? What I'd Do as a Custom Builder

    Ever wondered if you could manage your own home build and skip the builder fee? In this episode, Lara, a custom home builder and founder of Build Her Home , breaks down what it really takes to general contract your own build. From reviewing plans to wrangling trades, this is the honest, unfiltered talk you need before you dive into the deep end of DIY homebuilding. Lara shares what she’d do step-by-step if she were the homeowner running the show, and where most people get it wrong. This isn’t about scaring you off. It’s about helping you build smarter, with eyes wide open and a plan that actually works. The truth about GC’ing your own build (and why it’s not always cheaper) The 6-step framework Lara would follow if she were the homeowner managing her own project How to avoid the biggest mistakes first-time GCs make Why inspectors and structure plans matter more than Pinterest boards The right questions to ask before you buy land or start building How to decide if self-GC’ing is empowering… or exhausting ✨ Connect with Lara 👇🏼 https://www.instagram.com/buildherhome FREE Facebook Group Land & Home Site Checklist

    14 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Building a house is one thing. Building your home is another. Welcome to Build Her Home — the podcast where we pull back the curtain on the custom home building process, from the first sketch of your dream home to the final walkthrough. Hosted by Lara Kennedy, founder of Black Castle Homes, this show was created for women who are stepping into the role of homeowner, decision-maker, and visionary — even if it’s your first time working with a custom home builder or managing a new construction home. Each episode breaks down the real-life journey of building a home: how to choose the right build

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