
Based on Building Permit Data from HBW
The Texas residential construction market remained strong in May 2025, with approximately 6,910 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the month. As a trusted source for up-to-date construction data and permit activity, HBW monitors permitting trends, volumes, and market leaders to offer builders, suppliers, and industry professionals a clearer picture of regional and statewide activity.
Among the four major metro areas analyzed—Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio—Houston led the state in total residential construction activity, accounting for 45% of all new home permits on record statewide for the month (3,118 permits).
Let’s take a closer look at the top builders across each of these key markets and identify those leading the way in residential development during May:
Houston
With nearly 360 active home builders on record, Houston continues to be the most active metro area in Texas for new residential construction. The average value of new construction among the top five builders ranged from $225K to more than $319K.
Top 5 Builders – Houston (by total permits):
Builder | Total Permits | Average Value |
Lennar Homes | 524 | $230,930 |
D.R. Horton | 265 | $272,635 |
Perry Homes | 133 | $319,630 |
David Weekley Homes | 129 | $275,178 |
Pulte Homes | 105 | $225,171 |
Lennar Homes not only led Houston by a wide margin in total permits but also maintained a consistent presence across other metro areas last month, reflecting its ongoing dominance in Texas residential construction.
Austin
In Austin, more than 80 contractors pulled new residential construction permits in May. The average value of new construction was generally higher than in Houston, with leading builders like Taylor Morrison and Perry Homes averaging above $450K per home.
Top 5 Builders – Austin (by total permits):
Builder | Total Permits | Average Value |
Taylor Morrison Homes | 91 | $460,379 |
Perry Homes | 60 | $451,472 |
Pulte Homes | 47 | $304,695 |
D.R. Horton | 44 | $254,577 |
Lennar Homes | 43 | $202,975 |
Austin continues to see high-value residential construction. Taylor Morrison leads in both permit volume and average value, highlighting some focus on upscale homebuilding in the region.
Dallas
With approximately 270 home builders active in the Dallas area during May, the region experienced strong and diverse residential construction. Average construction values were especially notable, with top builders like Highland Homes and Bloomfield Homes exceeding the $470K mark.
Top 5 Builders – Dallas (by total permits):
Builder | Total Permits | Average Value |
D.R. Horton | 235 | $339,384 |
Lennar Homes | 173 | $330,627 |
Meritage Homes | 117 | $443,726 |
Highland Homes | 103 | $591,949 |
Bloomfield Homes | 96 | $470,708 |
D.R. Horton secured the top spot in Dallas for total permits and maintained strong numbers across all metros, reinforcing its position as a statewide leader. Highland Homes had the highest average value among the top five, reflecting a luxury-focused segment.
San Antonio
San Antonio had more than 85 active builders pulling permits in May. While the average construction values were lower than in Austin or Dallas, the region continues to support steady growth in entry-level to mid-market residential construction.
Top 5 Builders – San Antonio (by total permits):
Builder | Total Permits | Average Value |
Lennar Homes | 119 | $163,722 |
KB Homes | 68 | $168,989 |
Perry Homes | 43 | $301,792 |
Continental Homes of Texas | 35 | $160,600 |
LGI Homes | 27 | $166,103 |
Lennar Homes led in volume but had the lowest average value across all metros, indicating a strategic focus on more affordable housing segments in San Antonio.
Taking a statewide view based on permit volume, the following builders stood out across multiple metro areas:
- Lennar Homes – Held leading spots in three out of four major markets (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas) and ranked in the top five in Austin. Total statewide permits exceeded 850.
- D.R. Horton – Ranked second in Houston and led in Dallas. Present across all metros (with the exception of San Antonio), with statewide permit totals exceeding 540.
- Perry Homes – Consistently ranked in the top five across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, indicating a strong presence in Central and Southeast Texas.
Based on the latest construction data reports, it appears that builders including Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton continue to dominate across regions, while others like Perry Homes, Pulte Homes, and Taylor Morrison carve out strong footholds in specific cities.
As housing demands evolve, particularly in high-growth metros like Austin and Dallas, HBW will continue to track shifts in builder activity, permit values, and market trends—delivering detailed, real-time data to subscribers through custom reports and database access.
Stay tuned for a detailed breakdown of residential construction trends across Texas. For more information on obtaining detailed permitting data in your market, contact HBW.