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New Construction
If you're considering new construction in Texas — whether that means building from the ground up or buying a move-in ready home — the builder you choose may be the single most consequential decision you make. It shapes your experience before you close, and your life in that home for years after.
This guide ranks ten of the most active production builders in Texas based on 2025 Builder 100 data (closings and revenue), paired with real buyer experiences drawn from the Better Business Bureau, Customer Affairs, Yelp, Reddit, Google Reviews, and direct client feedback from the Austin market. What a builder does nationally doesn't always match what they deliver in Texas — so every rating here is filtered through a Texas lens, with particular attention to markets like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
Here's the grading scale: S (Superior) down to F (Bottom of the Barrel).
Ranked #25 nationally with over 3,800 closings and $2.4 billion in revenue in 2024, Highland Homes is a Texas-based builder with a genuine culture of quality. In markets like DFW, Austin, and San Antonio, they earn consistent praise for professionalism, attention to detail, and an organized buyer experience.
Here's a telling example: a client recently under contract with Highland had their driveway torn out and repoured — not because the buyer flagged it, but because Highland's own team decided it didn't meet their internal standard. That proactive mentality is rare in production building and says a lot about the company culture.
Highland is employee-owned, which creates a sense of accountability that trickles down. Many of their superintendents and sales staff have been with the company for years. Their homes also include:
They also back their product with strong structural warranties. For buyers serious about quality, Highland Homes belongs at the top of your list.
Ranked #16 nationally with over 6,300 closings, David Weekley is the largest privately held builder operating at this scale — and they punch well above their weight on customer service. Reddit threads and Google reviews consistently note that buyers feel heard and supported throughout the build.
What sets them apart:
Think of them as the "American standard" of production builders: high-end service, solid materials, and flexibility that ranges from production-level options all the way to full semi-custom builds. The boutique feel within a large-scale operation is genuinely impressive.
Ranked #39 nationally with over 2,300 closings and $1.7 billion in revenue, Drees brings more than 95 years of industry experience and has carved out a distinctive niche in Texas: real customization at production builder scale. Moving walls, redesigning kitchens, rearranging layouts — this level of flexibility is almost unheard of from a builder this size.
Their design center experience stands out. Rather than a quick selections appointment, buyers get an in-depth session with a design consultant to personalize everything from cabinetry and lighting to staircase styles and technology features. Standard inclusions often include:
Some buyers have reported warranty delays or inconsistencies — and as someone who built a Drees home personally, there were some bumps with customization execution. That's worth noting. But for design-focused buyers who want a curated, hands-on building experience without paying full custom prices, Drees offers something most builders simply can't.
Ranked #22 nationally with over 4,500 closings and $2.6 billion in revenue, Perry Homes topped the Austin market in January 2025 with 57 new permits averaging over $375,000. They're family-owned with over 50 years in the business — and it shows.
What distinguishes Perry:
The two-year workmanship warranty alone signals serious confidence in what they're building. For families and working professionals in Austin and across Texas, Perry delivers reliable quality with exceptional post-close support.
Ranked #15 nationally with over 6,400 closings and $4.3 billion in revenue, Tri Pointe might surprise you — especially if you've been overlooking them. Their homes are modern, on-trend, and thoughtfully finished, without overwhelming buyers with too many decisions. That simplicity is intentional, and it works.
Every Tri Pointe home includes their LivingSmart® features:
They regularly offer move-in ready homes with professionally curated designs — granite countertops, ceramic tile, covered patios, stainless appliances — all included without the pressure of being upsold. If you need a faster timeline and want a clean, modern finish without a lot of back-and-forth, Tri Pointe is worth a serious look.
Ranked #1 nationally by volume — nearly 90,000 closings in 2024 — D.R. Horton is everywhere. But bigger is not better here. In 2023, the company paid $16.1 million in a settlement over foundation and construction issues. Across the country, buyers have reported problems with roofing, drainage, framing, and window leaks.
In Texas specifically, common concerns include:
D.R. Horton appeals most to first-time buyers, investors, and budget-conscious families who prioritize square footage and quick move-in over finishes or customization. If that's your situation, that's a valid choice — but go in with eyes open. Hire a third-party home inspector, read the warranty carefully, and stay actively involved in the construction process.
Ranked #2 nationally, Lennar targets first-time buyers with a speed-and-scale model that keeps costs down — often at the expense of materials and craftsmanship. Legal history includes a class action lawsuit in South Carolina over sagging floors and improper support beams, and Florida buyers sued over stucco defects and water intrusion.
In Texas, the concerns mirror the national pattern:
Lennar attracts first-time buyers, budget-conscious families, and investors who want straightforward pricing and quick move-in. If you're seriously considering a Lennar home, hire an independent inspector, talk to current residents in the specific community before signing, and scrutinize the warranty timelines. Regional performance varies — do your due diligence at the community level, not just the brand level.
KB Home isn't the worst, but it's far from impressive. Their entry-level approach means basic finishes, floor plans that can feel dated, and a "you get what you get" mentality when it comes to upgrades. One buyer's upgrade experience? A garage door opener.
Buyer complaints tracked on the BBB include water leaks, debris left in HVAC vents, and slow warranty responses. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of KB is their pricing rigidity — even in a slow market, they rarely budge on price or closing cost incentives. If you're hoping to negotiate a deal or get meaningful help with closing costs, KB is likely to disappoint.
On the positive side, KB homes are Energy Star certified, so lower utility bills are a real benefit even if the finish-out leaves something to be desired. For first-time buyers and investors on a tight budget who are willing to advocate hard for themselves, KB is a viable option — just go in knowing the limitations.
Beazer isn't as active in the immediate Austin market, but buyer feedback paints an uneven picture. Common issues include roof leaks, HVAC problems, and water intrusion — often tied to inconsistent subcontractor performance and rushed schedules. Warranty department confusion and delays are a recurring theme in reviews.
That said, Beazer is an Energy Star builder, and some of their neighborhoods offer competitive pricing for their location. There are genuinely satisfied Beazer buyers — including current clients in the Houston area who have had zero issues. But the range of experiences is wide enough that due diligence is non-negotiable here. Talk to neighbors. Ask about the post-closing experience specifically. Read the warranty terms before you sign anything.
Toll Brothers markets itself as a luxury builder — with 10,000+ closings and price points to match — but Texas buyer experiences tell a mixed story. The core disconnect: unless you invest $200,000 to $300,000 in upgrades above base price, your finished home is unlikely to resemble the model home that sold you on the community in the first place.
Recurring complaints include:
As one frustrated homeowner put it directly: "For the amount of money we spent, the service after the sale has been extremely disappointing."
Personally, a Toll Brothers townhome purchase was a seamless transaction with a responsive warranty team — so it's genuinely a mixed bag depending on the community and the division. Toll Brothers buyers are typically affluent professionals, design-focused families, and first-time luxury buyers moving up with family help. If that's you, price out every upgrade in advance and talk specifically to buyers who closed in the exact community you're considering.
Every builder on this list has produced a great home somewhere. Every builder on this list has a horror story somewhere too. These ratings are a starting point, not a verdict on every home they've ever built.
Build quality varies by division, by community, by construction manager, and by crew. That's why the most important research you can do is hyperlocal: visit the specific community, talk to buyers who closed in the last six to twelve months, and hire a third-party inspector regardless of which builder you choose. The brand on the brochure is only part of the story.
Expert in: New Construction
Austin real estate expert helping families find their perfect home in the Texas Hill Country.
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