If you work in residential construction, you already know that permit data is the early indicator of market velocity, competitive pressure, pricing trends, and, in practical terms, which builders are securing the strongest competitive position in each metro. As reported earlier this week, and based on the latest HBW residential construction permit reports, Texas recorded 6,497 new permits in August 2026, representing more than $2.3 billion in total construction value. That’s not simply a busy month—it’s emblematic of Texas’ robust construction cadence.

Earlier this week, we broke down the statewide permit totals by region. Today, we are zooming in on the top home builders in each of the four major metros—Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio—to see who is leading the charge, who is gaining ground, and who may be building an empire one permit at a time.

Statewide Titans: The Top Builders Across All Four Metros

Before we go metro‑by‑metro, it is worth taking a moment to acknowledge the statewide heavyweights. When you aggregate permits across all four regions, three builders rise unmistakably to the top:

• Lennar Homes (576 permits) – The perennial powerhouse, leading Texas with the highest total permit count statewide, posting strong numbers in every metro and topping two of them.
• D.R. Horton (560 permits) – A close contender, leading Texas with the second-highest total permit count statewide.
• Perry Homes (355 permits) – Not the highest in volume, but consistently present in the top five across all major markets, with some of the highest average values.

The top three firms are doing more than just participating in the Texas market—they are continuing to shape it, and when we take a closer look at the regional activity, several other builders take top spots on the leaderboard.

Houston: The Permit Capital of Texas

Houston continues to be the gravitational center of Texas homebuilding activity, and August was no exception. With five builders posting triple‑digit permit counts, the region remains a battleground for volume, value, and market share.

Top 5 Builders – Houston

• D.R. Horton – 372 permits | $103.6M total value | Avg. value: $278,489
• Lennar Homes – 308 permits | $78.0M total value | Avg. value: $253,421
• Perry Homes – 180 permits | $60.8M total value | Avg. value: $337,631
• David Weekley Homes – 168 permits | $53.1M total value | Avg. value: $316,089
• Westin Homes – 91 permits | $28.3M total value | Avg. value: $310,886

The data for Houston shows a classic Texas pattern: D.R. Horton and Lennar dominate the volume game, while Perry and Weekley push the upper end of construction value. Westin rounds out the top five with strong average values, proving that quality and price point can hold their own even without triple‑digit permit counts.

Dallas: A Market Where Value Flexes Its Muscles

Dallas is always a fascinating study because it blends high‑volume production builders with premium‑value specialists.

Top 5 Builders – Dallas

• Lennar Homes – 167 permits | $54.4M total value | Avg. value: $325,582
• D.R. Horton – 143 permits | $42.4M total value | Avg. value: $296,662
• Trophy Signature Homes – 111 permits | $42.9M total value | Avg. value: $386,778
• Perry Homes – 92 permits | $31.8M total value | Avg. value: $345,893
• Bloomfield Homes – 86 permits | $41.9M total value | Avg. value: $487,716

Dallas is the only metro where the highest average value out of the top five builders belongs to a builder outside the statewide top three; Bloomfield Homes posted an eye‑catching average of nearly half a million dollars per permit—proof that Dallas buyers continue to invest in higher‑end product. Trophy Signature also delivered strong value metrics, reinforcing the region’s appetite for premium builds.

Austin: A High‑Value Epicenter

Austin’s market has long been known for its elevated price points, and August’s permit data reinforces that reputation. Even builders with modest permit counts posted some of the highest average values statewide.

Top 5 Builders – Austin

• Lennar Homes – 67 permits | $15.0M total value | Avg. value: $223,804
• Perry Homes – 52 permits | $29.5M total value | Avg. value: $567,175
• Taylor Morrison Homes – 51 permits | $18.3M total value | Avg. value: $359,386
• KB Homes – 46 permits | $17.8M total value | Avg. value: $385,919
• Pulte Homes – 41 permits | $13.5M total value | Avg. value: $329,535

Last month, Austin was Perry Homes’ playground. Their average value—over $567K—is the highest of any top five builder in any metro for the month. While Lennar Homes leads in volume, Perry clearly leads in price point, signaling strong demand for luxury and semi‑custom product in the Austin area.

San Antonio: A Balanced, Steady Market

San Antonio’s August numbers show a more evenly distributed market, with no single builder dramatically outpacing the others in volume.

Top 5 Builders – San Antonio

• Lennar Homes – 34 permits | $9.0M total value | Avg. value: $264,568
• Chesmar Homes – 33 permits | $11.7M total value | Avg. value: $355,557
• Perry Homes – 31 permits | $10.6M total value | Avg. value: $342,406
• M/I Homes – 26 permits | $7.45M total value | Avg. value: $286,659
• D.R. Horton – 26 permits | $6.68M total value | Avg. value: $257,048

San Antonio’s top builders are tightly clustered, making it one of the most competitive metros in the state. Lennar Homes leads in volume, but Chesmar Homes edges out the competition in both total and average value.

Cross‑Metro Standouts

Several builders secured top‑five positions across multiple metropolitan areas, underscoring their broad market reach and competitive strength. Lennar Homes and Perry Homes distinguished themselves with appearances in all four major Texas metros, while D.R. Horton demonstrated similarly expansive coverage with top‑five placements in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Such cross‑market visibility reflects substantial operational scale, diversified land strategies, and the capacity to tailor product offerings to varied demographic and economic conditions across the state.

It’s true that permit data can serve as a scoreboard, but more importantly, it serves as a strategic asset. The figures from August offer a clear view of the forces shaping the Texas residential market. Competition remains intense, particularly in Houston and Dallas, where high‑volume builders continue to dominate activity. At the same time, premium product is flourishing, most notably in Austin and select pockets of Dallas, where average construction values sit well above statewide norms. The monthly report also reinforces the importance of market diversification; builders operating across multiple metros are better insulated from regional fluctuations and shifts in demand. Pricing pressure is evident as well, with elevated average values suggesting a combination of rising construction costs and increasingly sophisticated buyer expectations. For builders, suppliers, and industry strategists, such data can influence everything from land acquisition and labor planning to pricing models and product positioning. In a state where opportunity expands as fast as the skyline, data‑driven insight is the currency of competitive advantage.

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.