alone.
no one should make six-figure decisions
Before you approve the plans, sign the contract, or say yes to a change order, ask me. The Home Insider is a private Facebook group for homeowners designing, getting bids on, or building a new home, and I answer every post on Tuesdays and Fridays.
$37 a month. Cancel anytime.
the home insider
hERE'S WHAT AN ANSWER LOOKS LIKE.
Your floor plan, your bid, your selections, or the thing on site that doesn't look right. The group is hidden, so only members see what you share, and you can post anonymously.
Post anything, at any stage.
I reply to every post myself, right where you posted it.
I answer every Tuesday and Friday.
Read every question and answer in the group, not just your own, and compare notes with other members.
Learn from every answer.
send me.
the questions homeowners
"We were quoted $800 to $1,000 a square foot. Is that normal?"
"My builder says I’m the designer. What does that mean for me?"
"I’m starting to see things on site that weren't done correctly. How do I talk to them about it logically without overstepping?"
Questions like these rarely get asked in a public group, because they involve your plans, your numbers, or your team. So most homeowners wait to find the answer when it costs more.
toolkit.
the
Built for The Moments That Matter.
A visual one-page method and master guide that conveys everything you need to start making selections.
the design decoder
Your on-site emergency plan. When something doesn't look right, this tells you exactly what to reference, who's responsible, and how to fix it without burning the relationship.
5 steps for when it all goes wrong
A pro's formula for documenting every finish, fixture, and detail in a room. Your contractor stops guessing and nothing gets built wrong.
build your room-by-room selections
All three land in your inbox the day you join.
Hey, I'm Olivia. My background is luxury residential design, on homes across the country and abroad, and I saw the same pattern again and again. The professionals knew the sequence, and the homeowner was left to figure it out. Everyone was doing their job well. No one's job was to walk the homeowner through it, so I made it mine.
HOMEOWNER.
tHE HARDEST JOB ON ANY BUILD BELONGS TO THE
OLIVIA BENSON
Homeowner Advocate. Design & Build Strategist.
Founder of House Plans and Build Costs.
In House Plans and Build Costs, you get the crowd. In The Home Insider, you get me.
You're designing, getting bids on, or building a new home.
this is for you if...
You want to walk into every meeting with your builder or architect knowing what to ask.
You're tired of saying yes to things you're not sure about.
You’re still dreaming. Start in House Plans and Build Costs. It’s free.
this isn't for you if...
You want your whole plan set reviewed. Book a Project Strategy Call instead.
You have questions you'd rather not ask in a public group.
You need an exact price. Only builder bids can give you one, and my Build Cost Estimator can help you check them.
You want someone to run your project or make decisions for you. That’s a job for a project manager or owner’s rep.
What she’s actually brilliant at is teaching homeowners what they need to know before they spend money: what order things need to happen in, what decisions look cheap now and cost double later.
Christine c. · UTAH
The questions I get most.
Only members, and membership is for homeowners. The group is hidden from search, posts don't show on your profile or in your friends' feeds, and when you post anonymously, I'm the only one who sees your name.
Anything about your build, at any stage: floor plans, layouts, selections, bids, allowances, change orders, and problems on site. You're also welcome to simply read along.
Every Tuesday and Friday, I reply to every post made since my last session. Post as often as you like.
The group lives on Facebook. Your confirmation email has the link. Request to join with the email you used at checkout, and I add new members every Tuesday and Friday.
You're charged $37 the day you join and on the same date each month. Cancel anytime with the cancellation form, and you'll keep access through the end of the month you've paid for. Payments aren't refunded, including for partial months.
No. A good team is the most important part of any build. The Home Insider is educational, and it helps you make better decisions with the team you hire.
Book a Project Strategy Call. It is a 60-minute live video call for $295, and it's the perfect place for a full review of your plans, questions, or dilemmas.
Yes. I offer design support in blocks of hours, for things like selections, finish plans, and elevations. See how it works.
The next decision is coming, whether it's a plan, a bid, or a change order. Make it with an insider.
you don't have to
Still dreaming? Join House Plans and Build Costs for free.
alone.
figure it out
