Last month, the residential construction market in the Lone Star State demonstrated robust activity across its four major metro areas—Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. According to HBW’s latest construction data reports, a total of 6,939 new residential construction permits were issued statewide, representing approximately $2.35 billion in total construction value. This snapshot offers valuable insight into regional market dynamics, builder performance, and permit volume trends that can inform strategic planning for developers, suppliers, and investors.
Given the distinct levels of activity across each region, it is essential to examine the data through a localized lens. For this reason, here is a quick view of the top-performing home builders in each of the four major metro areas of Texas during the month of September:
Houston: Leading the State in Volume
Houston continues to dominate Texas’ residential construction landscape, accounting for more than half of the state’s total permits in September.
- Total Permits: 3,611
- Active Builders: ~370
Top Builders by Permit Volume:
- Lennar Homes: 744 permits | Avg. Value: $238,766
- D.R. Horton: 561 permits | Avg. Value: $272,404
- Perry Homes: 199 permits | Avg. Value: $331,977
- Westin Homes: 109 permits | Avg. Value: $266,366
- KB Homes: 97 permits | Avg. Value: $248,743
Houston’s high permit volume reflects strong demand and a competitive builder landscape. Lennar and D.R. Horton continue to lead in production-scale development, while Perry Homes appears to maintain a foothold in higher-value segments.
Dallas: Balancing Volume and Value
Dallas recorded 2,263 new permits in September, supported by nearly 350 active builders. The region shows a balanced mix of volume and elevated construction values.
Top Builders by Permit Volume:
- Lennar Homes: 254 permits | Avg. Value: $317,351
- D.R. Horton: 185 permits | Avg. Value: $299,437
- Trophy Signature Homes: 87 permits | Avg. Value: $371,157
- First Texas Homes: 78 permits | Avg. Value: $463,338
- M/I Homes: 72 permits | Avg. Value: $412,917
Dallas builders are trending toward mid-to-upper tier residential products, with First Texas Homes and M/I Homes pushing average values well above $400K.
Austin:
Austin’s residential market remains smaller in volume but competitive in value, with 600 permits issued by 70 active contractors.
Top Builders by Permit Volume:
- D.R. Horton: 67 permits | Avg. Value: $320,425
- Lennar Homes: 49 permits | Avg. Value: $248,716
- Starlight Homes Texas: 48 permits | Avg. Value: $334,761
- M/I Homes: 37 permits | Avg. Value: $294,886
- The Brohn Group: 34 permits | Avg. Value: $159,412
Austin’s market favors a blend of entry-level and mid-market homes, with D.R. Horton and Starlight Homes leading in volume and value.
San Antonio:
San Antonio issued 465 permits in September, with approximately 80 builders contributing to the activity during the one-month period.
Top Builders by Permit Volume:
- Lennar Homes: 102 permits | Avg. Value: $181,357
- D.R. Horton: 51 permits | Avg. Value: $210,816
- KB Homes: 28 permits | Avg. Value: $189,100
- Continental Homes of Texas: 25 permits | Avg. Value: $153,465
- Perry Homes: 23 permits | Avg. Value: $401,958
San Antonio’s market is characterized by affordability-driven development, with Lennar and D.R. Horton dominating the entry-level segment. Perry Homes stands out for its premium offerings for the month.
Market Takeaways
- Lennar Homes emerged as the #1 top builder statewide, leading in all four metros with a combined total of 1,149 permits.
- D.R. Horton followed closely with strong presence across all regions, totaling 864 permits.
- Builders like Perry Homes, M/I Homes, and Trophy Signature Homes are carving out niches in higher-value segments.
- Permit volume remains a key indicator of builder activity, while average construction value offers insight into product positioning and market segmentation.
As Texas continues to be a national leader in residential construction, tracking permit activity offers a real-time view into market momentum and builder strategy. September’s data confirms that volume leaders like Lennar and D.R. Horton remain dominant forces, while regional players continue to shape the evolving landscape of Texas homebuilding.
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.