Before the B.U.I.L.D.,
What you didn't learn in design school.
A video course with lifetime access, upgrades, and community.
$299
Learning the 5 keys to custom B.U.I.L.D. success.
Welcome to "Before the Build: What You Didn’t Learn in Design School." I’m Eryn Smith, and after nearly 15 years in the custom home building industry, I’ve seen how a critical information gap leaves interior designers unprepared for the realities of residential projects.
This course is designed to bridge that gap by revealing the 5 keys to a successful custom build—insights that design school often overlooks. Join me as we dive into practical strategies that will help you avoid budget pitfalls, timeline delays, and project regrets, empowering you to transform your design practice for lasting success.


Who is this course for?
- Interior designers that want to learn the five keys to custom residential build success.
- Design "enthusiasts" who want to increase knowledge about interior design as well as the residential build process.
- Anyone interested in learning the five keys to residential custom build success.
How is the "Before the B.U.I.L.D., what you didn't learn in design school" course different than other on-line courses?
- It is NOT a "how-to-guide" on building a home. It is a comprehensive educational approach that will empower you to make more informed, proactive and timely decisions throughout the custom build process that results in saving time, saving money and avoiding end-of-project regret.
- It is a best-in-class course that contains eleven videos and almost three hours of expert instruction on key topics that negatively impact project costs, project timelines and regretful decision making.
- It benefits the custom home build client as well as the entire build team (including all trade professionals) by encouraging timely decision making and improved communication resulting in saving time, saving money and avoiding end-of-project regrets.
- It is the result of over 15 years of successful custom residential build mastery by industry professional Eryn Smith.
What's included in the course purchase price?
- 11 videos covering critical topics within the custom build process (timelines, material selection, team member selection, documentation, and much more).
- Almost 3 hours of expert instruction that will empower you to make more informed, proactive and timely decisions resulting in saving time, saving money and avoiding end-of-project regret.
- Resources including: checklists, personal "who am I" assessment, contractor selection guide and much more.
- Lifetime course access (including all course and resource upgrades).
- Discount on the purchase of future courses.
What topics are covered in the course content?
- Overview on the approach to the build process (timing, expectations, planning, decision making).
- Considerations on the type of home being built (shape, size, lot considerations, and much more).
- Selecting your build team members.
- Documentation, materials selection and budgeting priorities.
- Learning how to make more informed, proactive and timely decisions on preparing to build as well as timelines, home structure, systems and more.
- Expectations versus reality and how you must "know yourself" before you start a custom home build! (We even include a "know yourself" quiz that will improve how you approach the team and overall project).
- Much more!
Before The Build Course Goals and Learning Objectives.
Course Goal:
- Close learning gaps on key custom residential build knowledge areas that result in higher costs, increased timelines and end of project regrets.
Course Learning Objectives (and our B.U.I.L.D. acronym). What you will learn throughout this course:
- Budget Busters (how to recognize and avoid during your project).
- Understanding the Build Process (helping remove confusion about the build process leading to better decisions and timing).
- Increased Timelines (what causes them and how to avoid them).
- Language and Trade Terms (learning key verbiage and nomenclature that helps remove confusion and improve decision making).
- Dream Team (the importance of this team, your role on it, and how to select and assemble the right members).
Course Money Back Guarantee
It's not only our goal, but our deeply held belief that if you consume the Before You Build course content in its entirety, and apply the principles learned, the resulting savings in your project could be in the tens of thousands of dollars, or more depending on the overall size and project scope. However, if before 7 days elapse (from when you purchase the course) you're not completely satisfied, we ask that you contact our support team, share the reasons you found the course lacking and unable to provide you value. We do ask that you demonstrate that you've completed all lessons and explain why the course material was not valuable to you and your design business. This will enable us to affirm you've given the course a fair chance and a refund will be provided. At the end of the day we want you and your projects to be successful.
Purchase Now
Eryn Smith, Founder Here|Now Interiors.
Creator of "Before You Build", the online course.
Regardless of how you found this course, I' m thrilled you're here! After 15+ years working as an interior designer in the custom home building industry, I have a passion for bridging the gap between the building professionals (General Contractors, Architects, Interior Designers, and all the trades people) and the clients who are embarking on the custom home building journey.
Our goal? Help you close key learning gaps that result in more successful projects! At the end of the day, our educational content and approach results in saving you and your clients time, saving you and your clients money, and helping everyone avoid common but avoidable end-of-project regrets.
Eryn resides in Dallas, Tx with her husband Jeff and has three amazing children. She owns and operates Here|Now Interiors - a full service interior design firm.
Before the BUILD, what you didn't learn in design school.
A video course with lifetime access and upgrades.
$299