According to the latest HBW residential construction permit data, Texas recorded 4,836 new permits in September 2026, representing nearly $1.8 billion in total construction value. That’s a lot of slabs, a lot of lumber, and—if you’re a construction professional—a healthy heap of competitive activity worth paying attention to.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, permit data is one of the most reliable early indicators of market momentum. It reveals which builders are expanding, which markets are heating up, and where pricing pressure may be coming next. Given that Texas effectively functions as four separate housing markets—Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio—closely tracking regional activity is critical for any meaningful market analysis. For this reason, we break down the top five builders in each metro area, highlight statewide leaders, and call out crossover builders who are dominating multiple markets.
Dallas – Total permits: 1,968
Dallas continues to be a powerhouse, and the data from last month displays a competitive spread among the top builders:
| Builder | Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| Trophy Signature Homes | 201 | $69.3M | $344,985 |
| Lennar Homes | 171 | $62.7M | $366,525 |
| D.R. Horton | 136 | $41.1M | $302,578 |
| Permit Office Will Not Provide | 67 | $27.1M | $405,060 |
| Acadian Builders Group | 62 | $10.2M | $165,000 |
Trophy Signature Homes led the Dallas market with an impressive 201 permits, a notable achievement in a region where competition is notoriously intense. Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton follow somewhat closely behind, each reinforcing their broader statewide strength with solid permit activity. The ever‑enigmatic “Permit Office Will Not Provide” category also makes an appearance—an unavoidable quirk in municipal reporting where builder names are occasionally withheld due to privacy policies, incomplete filings, or system limitations; despite the anonymity, the permits still represent genuine construction activity and must be counted to maintain an accurate picture of the market. And while Perry Homes didn’t land in the Dallas “top five”, their 56 recorded permits remain an important contribution to their statewide totals and overall competitive standing.
Houston – Total permits: 1,956
Houston’s top builders held a tight race between the two national giants:
| Builder | Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| Lennar Homes | 222 | $51.1M | $230,468 |
| D.R. Horton | 212 | $69.4M | $327,308 |
| Perry Homes | 110 | $32.0M | $290,998 |
| Westin Homes | 99 | $28.1M | $284,296 |
| David Weekley Homes | 85 | $23.1M | $272,516 |
Lennar Homes narrowly edged out D.R. Horton in Houston by just ten permits, a remarkably tight margin in one of the state’s highest‑volume markets. D.R. Horton, however, took the lead in total construction value, signaling a stronger emphasis on higher‑priced or more robust plans. Perry Homes also delivered a solid performance with 110 permits, further reinforcing its reputation for elevated product lines and consistent demand in the region. Altogether, Houston stands out as the most balanced market in Texas for the month, with permit activity distributed across a diverse mix of top builders rather than concentrated in the hands of just one or two.
Austin – Total permits: 521
In the Austin area, the top builders reflect a market where fewer permits often mean higher average construction values:
| Builder | Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| Lennar Homes | 60 | $10.9M | $182,257 |
| Perry Homes | 33 | $19.0M | $576,185 |
| Pulte Homes | 30 | $8.5M | $283,386 |
| Milestone Community Builders | 27 | $6.5M | $241,359 |
| Ashton Woods Homes | 24 | $7.9M | $332,490 |
Perry Homes made a striking impression out of the top five in Austin, posting an average construction value of $576,185—the highest among all top builders statewide and a clear reflection of the area’s appetite for premium residential product. Lennar led the metro in permit volume, continuing the multi‑market dominance it demonstrates across the state, while D.R. Horton, though outside Austin’s top five, still contributed four permits in the area, adding to its statewide totals. True to form, Austin’s housing market behaves much like the city itself—smaller in scale, higher in price in certain areas, and just contrarian enough to keep everyone on their toes.
San Antonio – Total permits: 391
San Antonio’s top builders exhibit a mix of national players and strong regional competitors:
| Builder | Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| KB Homes | 35 | $9.1M | $261,371 |
| Lennar Homes | 32 | $7.9M | $247,613 |
| Jaime Jimenez | 26 | $11.6M | $447,543 |
| Perry Homes | 22 | $8.8M | $399,840 |
| MHI Partnership | 20 | $6.4M | $320,505 |
KB Homes led the San Antonio market in permit volume, setting the pace for the region’s September activity. At the same time, Jaime Jimenez delivered a standout performance with the highest average construction value ($447,543), an impressive achievement for a regional builder competing alongside national heavyweights. D.R. Horton, though outside the top five locally, still added seven permits to its statewide totals, reinforcing the builder’s broad presence across Texas.
Statewide Leaders: The Big Three
When combining all four metro areas, three builders clearly dominate Texas in September 2026:
1. Lennar Home Statewide Total: 485 permits (statewide leader in total permits)
2. D.R. Horton Statewide Total: 359 permits
3. Perry Homes Statewide Total: 221 permits
These builders appear in the top five in multiple metro areas:
- Lennar Homes – Top five in all four metros
- Perry Homes – Top five in three metros
- D.R. Horton – Top five in two metros, with additional permits in Austin and San Antonio
What This Means for Construction Professionals
Permit data is a strategic tool, and builders with high permit volumes often negotiate better material pricing, secure more labor availability, and influence regional market trends. Lennar Home’s statewide dominance suggests strong operational efficiency and effective land acquisition strategies. Higher average values (like Perry Homes in Austin or Jaime Jimenez in San Antonio) indicate markets where premium product lines are thriving; this can influence subcontractor pricing, appraisal expectations, and buyer demand. Builders operating across multiple metros—especially Lennar Homes, D.R. Horton, and Perry Homes—benefit from diversified market exposure; their presence in both high‑volume and high‑value markets gives them resilience and leverage.
With nearly $1.8B in construction value in a single month, Texas continues to demonstrate robust demand and strong builder confidence, despite month-to-month fluctuations. Even with interest rate variabilities and supply chain challenges, the state’s residential sector remains one of the most active in the country. Overall, September 2026 was a moderate month for Texas homebuilding, marked by solid permit activity, competitive regional dynamics, and clear statewide leaders. Whether you’re a GC, subcontractor, supplier, or developer, understanding the “who” and “where” of construction is essential for forecasting demand, adjusting pricing strategies, and staying ahead of the competition.
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.