Earlier this week, we analyzed the latest HBW construction data reports and noted that 4,615 new residential construction permits were issued across the four major Texas metro regions (Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio), representing more than $1.54 billion in total construction value for the month of January 2026.
Today’s report shifts from macro-level market performance to builder-level activity, identifying the top home builders by total permits pulled, along with their corresponding total construction value and average construction value per home. The combined metrics provide a clear view of market share, production scale, and product positioning across the most active residential construction markets in the Lone Star State.
Houston
Houston continues to demonstrate substantial production volume, led by several national production builders with strong regional footprints. Notably, D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes dominate permit activity, reinforcing their longstanding market share. Both builders show strikingly similar average construction values, reflecting competitive positioning in comparable price bands.
Top 5 Builders – Houston (January 2026)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Construction Value | Average Value |
| D.R. Horton | 322 | $82,906,040 | $257,472 |
| Lennar Homes | 287 | $74,004,226 | $257,854 |
| Meritage Homes | 101 | $22,687,036 | $224,624 |
| Perry Homes | 85 | $24,985,800 | $293,951 |
| Westin Homes | 78 | $22,641,500 | $290,276 |
Houston’s top two builders alone accounted for more than 600 permits in January, reflecting significant production capacity and absorption rates. Builders like Perry and Westin, with higher average construction values, appear (from a monthly perspective) positioned more firmly within the move-up and premium segments.
Dallas
The Dallas market reflected a more diversified value spectrum, with production builders competing alongside higher-end luxury-focused firms. Lennar Homes took the lead by permit count, followed closely by D.R. Horton, reinforcing their statewide dominance. However, Dallas stands out due to the high total value generated by Toll Brothers, whose significantly higher average construction value indicates strong activity in the luxury or executive housing segment.
Top 5 Builders – Dallas (January 2026)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Construction Value | Average Value |
| Lennar Homes | 124 | $37,907,318 | $305,704 |
| D.R. Horton | 113 | $29,306,014 | $259,345 |
| Trophy Signature Homes | 94 | $32,566,866 | $346,456 |
| Toll Brothers | 72 | $49,422,921 | $686,429 |
| Permit Office Will Not Provide | 68 | $26,170,611 | $384,862 |
*Note: About “Permit Office Will Not Provide” – In some jurisdictions, the permitting authority does not publicly release the builder’s name in their reporting database. While this prevents attribution to a specific company, the permit count, total valuation, and average valuation data are still fully recorded and included in aggregate reporting. For transparency and naming clarity, the next ranked identifiable builder in Dallas is:
M/I Homes
55 Permits | $19,664,786 Total Value | $357,542 Average Value
Austin
Austin’s data for last month reflects a more moderate production volume compared to Houston and Dallas, but with consistent mid-range pricing metrics from the leading home builders in the region. Pulte Homes took the lead by permit count, followed closely by Lennar Homes. The average construction values across the top five builders are relatively tight, indicating competitive positioning within similar buyer segments.
Top 5 Builders – Austin (January 2026)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Construction Value | Average Value |
| Pulte Homes | 44 | $12,983,800 | $295,086 |
| Lennar Homes | 40 | $12,277,600 | $306,940 |
| Chesmar Homes | 27 | $9,188,690 | $340,322 |
| Taylor Morrison Homes | 21 | $7,116,120 | $338,863 |
| Starlight Homes | 19 | $7,125,831 | $375,044 |
San Antonio
San Antonio demonstrates a more entry-level to mid-tier price orientation within the top five home builders, with lower average construction values relative to Dallas and Austin. Lennar Homes led the market again, reinforcing its statewide level of penetration.
Top 5 Builders – San Antonio (January 2026)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Construction Value | Average Value |
| Lennar Homes | 57 | $12,600,000 | $221,053 |
| KB Homes | 24 | $5,689,500 | $237,063 |
| Perry Homes | 21 | $6,768,600 | $322,314 |
| Starlight Homes | 15 | $3,318,700 | $221,247 |
| Meritage Homes | 10 | $2,963,300 | $296,330 |
San Antonio’s lower average valuation metrics indicate strong demand in the attainable housing segment, with production efficiency playing a key role in builder performance.
Statewide Builder Dominance
When evaluating total permits pulled across all four metro regions for the one-month period, the top three builders statewide are:
Top Texas Builders by Total Permits (January 2026)
- Lennar Homes – 508 permits
(Houston + Dallas + Austin + San Antonio) - D.R. Horton – 442 permits
(Houston + Dallas + Austin)
Lennar Homes demonstrates the broadest geographic reach and overall statewide leadership, and D.R. Horton remains highly concentrated and dominant in Houston and Dallas. The consistent crossover of Lennar, D.R. Horton, Perry Homes, Meritage Homes, and Starlight Homes across multiple metros highlights the influence of large-scale production builders. While permit volume remains the primary indicator of builder market share, total construction value and average valuation reveal important distinctions in product segmentation—from attainable housing in San Antonio to luxury-driven activity in Dallas. The monthly review and metrics offer a comprehensive view of the competitive landscape that is shaping residential construction in Texas at the start of year.
To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.