Texas continues to be one of the most active residential construction markets in the United States, and monthly permit data remains one of the most reliable indicators of builder performance, regional demand, and shifting competitive dynamics. The latest construction data from HBW offers a clear snapshot of where leading builders stand across the four major metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, as well as how their activity levels compare in terms of both volume and construction value.
For construction professionals monitoring monthly permit reports is essential; the datasets reveal not only which builders are expanding their footprint, but also where market concentration is shifting, how average construction values vary by builder, and which companies may be gaining momentum in specific submarkets. Such insights are invaluable for business development, competitive benchmarking, and forecasting regional growth trajectories.
Below is a breakdown of the top five builders in each metro area for February 2026, along with statewide observations and notable cross‑market performers:
Houston
Houston remains the most active residential construction market in Texas, with 2,152 new permits issued in February.
Top Five Builders – Houston (by total permits)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Average Value |
| 1-D.R. Horton | 318 | $ 84,131,542.00 | $ 264,565.00 |
| 2-Lennar Homes | 268 | $ 65,415,853.00 | $ 244,089.00 |
| 3-Perry Homes | 111 | $ 38,223,940.00 | $ 344,360.00 |
| 4-Meritage Homes | 103 | $ 26,982,732.00 | $ 261,968.00 |
| 5-Westin Homes | 74 | $ 22,304,981.00 | $ 301,419.00 |
D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes continue to dominate Houston’s permit activity, together accounting for more than a quarter of all new residential permits in the region. Perry Homes stands out for its significantly higher average construction value—over $344k—indicating a focus on higher‑end product relative to the volume leaders. Westin Homes also posts a strong average value above $300k, reinforcing its position in the mid‑to‑upper‑tier market segment.
Dallas
Dallas recorded 1,691 new residential permits in February, with a competitive spread among the top builders.
Top Five Builders – Dallas (by total permits)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Average Value |
| 1-D.R. Horton | 155 | $ 42,524,227.00 | $ 274,350.00 |
| 2-Trophy Signature Homes | 107 | $ 44,077,527.00 | $ 411,940.00 |
| 3-Lennar Homes | 104 | $ 36,380,056.00 | $ 349,808.00 |
| 4-Meritage Homes | 95 | $ 27,392,076.00 | $ 288,338.00 |
| 5-Highland Homes | 67 | $ 33,043,311.00 | $ 493,184.00 |
Dallas exhibits a notable trend toward higher average construction values. Out of the top five builders, Highland Homes led the region in average value, approaching half a million dollars per permit—one of the higher averages of the top builders across all major Texas metros this month. Trophy Signature Homes also posts a strong average value above $400k, reflecting a demand for higher‑spec homes in the Dallas market.
Austin
Austin saw 619 new residential permits in February, with Lennar Homes taking a commanding lead.
Top Five Builders – Austin (by total permits)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Average Value |
| 1-Lennar Homes | 116 | $ 27,530,905.00 | $ 237,335.00 |
| 2-Pulte Homes | 36 | $ 10,286,480.00 | $ 285,736.00 |
| 3-Starlight Homes Texas | 32 | $ 11,183,951.00 | $ 349,498.00 |
| 4-Perry Homes | 31 | $ 15,495,500.00 | $ 499,855.00 |
| 5-Ashton Woods Homes | 30 | $ 13,820,839.00 | $ 460,695.00 |
Lennar Home’s strong presence in Austin mirrors its statewide performance, but the standout metric is with Perry Homes and an average value of nearly $500k, the highest among all top builders in the region. Ashton Woods also posted a high average value, reinforcing the reputation that Austin has for higher‑end residential construction.
San Antonio
San Antonio recorded 332 new residential permits in February.
Top Five Builders – San Antonio (by total permits)
| Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Average Value |
| 1-Lennar Homes | 54 | $ 12,298,500.00 | $ 227,750.00 |
| 2-Perry Homes | 27 | $ 9,546,600.00 | $ 353,578.00 |
| 3-Century Communities | 20 | $ 5,317,600.00 | $ 265,880.00 |
| 4-Starlight Homes | 20 | $ 4,617,200.00 | $ 230,860.00 |
| 5-Pulte Homes | 17 | $ 3,368,700.00 | $ 198,159.00 |
Last month, Lennar Homes led San Antonio in volume, while Perry Homes again distinguished itself with a notably higher average construction value. The region reflects a more moderate pricing profile overall compared to Austin and Dallas, consistent with the area’s broader affordability trends.
When evaluating total permit activity across all four major metros (statewide), two builders clearly rise to the top:
- D.R. Horton – 494 permits (Houston 318, Dallas 155, Austin 18, San Antonio 3)
- Lennar Homes – 542 permits (Houston 268, Dallas 104, Austin 116, San Antonio 54)
Although Lennar Homes edged out D.R. Horton in total statewide permits for February 2026, both companies demonstrate broad geographic reach and consistent performance across all major Texas markets.
When looking more closely at cross‑market performers, the following demonstrated diversified regional strategies and strong operational capacity:
- D.R. Horton – Active in all four metros; leads Houston and Dallas.
- Lennar Homes – Active in all four metros; leads Austin and San Antonio.
- Perry Homes – Strong presence in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio with consistently high average values.
- Meritage Homes – Appeared in the top five of both Houston and Dallas.
- Pulte Homes – Ranked in the top five builders in both Austin and San Antonio.
HBW’s monthly (and quarterly, annual) construction reports provide a critical lens into market activity, builder performance, and regional demand patterns. For industry professionals, tracking permit volumes and construction values helps identify emerging opportunities, anticipate shifts in market share, and align business development strategies with real‑time market conditions.
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.