Florida closed out 2025 with strong residential construction activity, underscoring the state’s continued role as one of the most dynamic homebuilding markets in the country. According to construction data reports compiled by HBW, a total of 5,435 new residential construction permits were added to the Florida database during December 2025 alone. Activity was heavily concentrated in the Southwest region (1,758 permits) and the Tampa market (1,455 permits), together accounting for more than half of all new residential permitting statewide.

The following analysis highlights the top five home builders by permit volume across Florida’s five major regions (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, and Jacksonville) and examines not only scale and market presence, but also construction value metrics, regional insight, and emerging strategic patterns within the industry.

It is important to note that the “top five” designation is defined strictly by permit volume for the month, a methodology that provides valuable real-time insight into who is actively building now, rather than relying solely on annual or historical averages.

Southwest

Out of nearly 340 active builders in Southwest Florida during December, national production builders dominated the top tier by permit count:

• D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes tied for first with 189 permits each, reflecting their continued emphasis on scale, speed-to-market, and entry- to mid-level product offerings.
• Pulte Homes followed with 121 permits, while Mattamy Homes and Taylor Morrison each recorded 96 permits.

From a valuation standpoint, Mattamy Homes stands out sharply. Despite tying for fourth in volume, Mattamy posted the highest total construction value ($44.7M) and a notably elevated average value per permit ($465,620)—more than double that of several competitors. This signals a deliberate concentration on higher-end or more complex product types within the region.

By contrast, D.R. Horton (average value: $223,982) and Lennar Homes (average value: $214,479) continue to drive scale through comparatively lower average values, reinforcing their positioning as volume leaders capable of capturing broad demand across price points.

Tampa

The Tampa market, with 220 active builders during December, remains one of Florida’s most competitive and capital-intensive regions:

• Lennar Homes led decisively with 256 permits, nearly $90 million in construction value, and a solid $351,480 average value.
• D.R. Horton followed with 179 permits, while The Villages of Lake Sumter maintained a prominent regional presence with 106 permits.
• Meritage Homes (56 permits) and Pulte Homes (46 permits), though lower in volume, recorded some of the highest average construction values in the region—$422,889 and $483,445 respectively—suggesting a focus on energy-efficient, move-up, or lifestyle-oriented communities.

Tampa’s data illustrates a market where volume and value are not mutually exclusive, and where builders may be segmenting product lines to serve both affordability and premium demand within a dense development environment.

Orlando

In the Orlando area, December activity reflects a highly balanced competitive landscape, with three national builders closely clustered at the top:

• Pulte Homes led the region with 160 permits and over $57 million in total construction value.
• D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes followed closely, with 115 and 113 permits, respectively.
• KB Homes (39 permits) and Mattamy Homes (28 permits) rounded out the top five, each targeting more selective segments of the market.

Average construction values across Orlando’s top builders were relatively consistent—generally in the mid-$300,000 range—suggesting a stable pricing environment and a concentration on primary residential product rather than extremes of affordability.

Southeast

Southeast Florida remains a capital-intensive market characterized by fewer permits but significantly higher average values:

• Lennar Homes led in volume with 102 permits.
• GL Building Corporation followed closely with 96 permits but surpassed all peers in total value at nearly $40 million.
• Smaller-volume builders such as KH East Coastal Florida Homes (18 permits) posted the highest average value per permit ($508,742), highlighting a focus on premium development.

Mattamy Homes (21 permits) and Taylor Morrison (17 permits) also landed within the top five in the region, holding spots on the leaderboard. The southeast has consistently favored fewer, higher-value projects, rewarding builders with expertise in land constraints, regulatory complexity, and upscale buyer demand.

Jacksonville

In the Jacksonville area, last month’s permitting activity reflected a diverse mix of mid-range development:

• Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton led the region with 107 and 96 permits, respectively.
• Mattamy Homes (63 permits) and AMH Development (42 permits) demonstrated strong mid-market positioning.
• Flight Builders, despite posting the lowest average value per permit ($86,000), ranked fifth by volume with 36 permits.

Flight Builders’ lower average value is a direct result of its strategic focus on accessible housing, including single-family homes and townhouses at lower price points, often developed in partnership with housing organizations. Their presence in the top five underscores an important market reality: permit volume alone does not equate to price positioning, and affordability-focused builders can play a meaningful role in regional supply even with lower per-unit values.

Statewide Leaders and Multi-Regional Dominance

A clear pattern emerges when viewing the data as a whole. Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton appear in the top five in nearly all five regions, reinforcing their status as Florida’s dominant statewide builders.

• Lennar Homes recorded 767 permits statewide, while
• D.R. Horton followed with 590 permits statewide.

Both mega-builders combined are carrying a significant share (approximately 25%) of Florida’s new residential construction load for the one-month period. Their consistent presence across regions reflects operational scale, land control strategies, and standardized product offerings that translate effectively across diverse submarkets. At the same time, regional players and niche builders—such as GL Building Corporation, The Villages of Lake Sumter, and Flight Builders—demonstrate that local specialization and targeted development models remain highly competitive, particularly when aligned with specific buyer demographics or community needs.

One of the key takeaways from last month’s data is the fluid nature of top-five rankings. Builders may appear consistently month after month, while others surface briefly due to the timing of project releases, land development cycles, or phased community build-outs. For builders, developers, and industry stakeholders, monthly permit analysis provides actionable intelligence:

• Identifying who is actively building in a specific region
• Tracking shifts in competitive intensity
• Understanding how volume leaders compare on valuation and product positioning
• Anticipating supply dynamics before completions and closings occur

In a market as active as Florida, such quick-view snapshots offer a critical lens into near-term momentum and strategic positioning. Whether evaluating competition, identifying potential partners, or assessing regional opportunity, HBW’s permit data offers a clear, timely view into who is building—and where Florida’s residential market is headed next.

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.lahoma, please contact HBW for details.