Last updated on May 28th, 2024 at 03:07 pm
Texas is one of the biggest states in the nation and it has a wide variety of highly diverse cities. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is a cultural hub filled with rustic neighborhoods that have a variety of ranch-style homes. Mediterranean homes used to be found all over Austin but sustainable contemporary homes are becoming a trend in the bustling, hip city.
There are many professional home builders found in the lone star state. Determining the best among these builders is exhausting. We know because we’ve done it for you: below you’ll find the 15 best home builders in Texas. Many of these builders have been in the industry for more than ten years and have a team of professionals with a wide range of knowledge and skills. Green building is a growing trend in the Texas housing market and most of these firms are capable of providing those ecologically friendly options. These builders are all members of a variety of professional organizations, including the Texas Associated Builders and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Several industry professionals were taken into consideration when creating this list. These builders you’re going to read about here were chosen based on the awards they have received and the press their work earned. Notable clientele lists and famous projects were also considered as we further narrowed down the list. Customer reviews were also, of course, reviewed to ensure that you’ll experience friendly, quality service if you decide to hire any of these firms.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Adam Wilson Custom Homes
3421 Paesanos Pkwy. Ste #104, Shavano Park, TX 78231
Second generation homebuilder Adam Wilson established Adam Wilson Custom Homes to provide custom homes and floor plan services to Texas. In its eleven years of service, the firm has earned numerous awards from the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) including the Custom Builder Grand Award and the Texas Custom Home Builder of the Year.
The Paseo Rioja is the firm’s most recent award-winning home. Located on a hillside in San Antonio, the contemporary vacation home has a simple cream exterior and the stone columns give texture to the monochromatic palette. Stone accents can be found in the home’s interior, and its smooth composition adds a relaxing aura to the space. The homeowners wanted the home to connect with the outdoors: an open-concept floor plan was the perfect solution. The living area is surrounded by floor-length windows that overlook the lush backyard. The home’s focal point is the floating staircase. A single black pole surrounded by black river rocks holds the first flight of stairs and guests can enjoy a view of the Texas countryside while ascending.
Bauhaus Modern Homes
1920 McKinney Ave. 7th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201
Established in 2007, Bauhaus Modern Homes was founded by Marc Kleinmann in order to offer European design to American homeowners. The German native was inspired by the modern Bauhaus movement. Rooted in the early 20th century, the Bauhaus movement attempts to make modernist art more functional. Bauhaus architecture is characterized by symmetrical and geometric figures that were designed to be practical, yet aesthetically pleasing.
© Costa Christ Media – Interior Furnishing by Smink, Inc.
The Bauhaus movement shaped the contemporary style of this generation and has inspired many sustainable building principles. Bauhaus Modern Homes offers custom contemporary homes that are tailored to function for each individual client. Every home is designed to the homeowner’s needs by utilizing virtual reality tours before construction begins.
For the past eight years, Bauhaus Modern Homes has been dubbed as one of the best builders in Dallas by D Magazine. The Philos home is a great example of the firm’s skill when it comes to creating aesthetically-unique homes. A giant red heart anchors the front gate and acts as a powerful introduction to the homeowner’s expansive art collection. A minimalist white interior provides the ideal backdrop to evoke the feel of an art gallery.
Classic Urban Homes
10246 Midway Rd. #105, Dallas, TX 75229
Classic Urban Homes has been named ‘Best Builder’ by D Magazine for nine years in a row. They have earned multiple distinctions from the annual Dallas Homebuilders Association and numerous ARC awards throughout the years. Founder Michael Turner is also an award-winning builder who was named Custom Builder of the Year for three years in a row. A member of both the United States Green Building Council and Green Built Texas, Turner is one of Dallas’s most distinguished builders since he has more than 30 years of experience.
The firm integrates energy efficiency into its designs and its homes are certified by Energy Star. An Energy Star certified home is more energy-efficient than a typical sustainable home. These homes are screened by a third-party Home Energy Rater who ensures that it’s built to the minimum code requirements.
The Horseshoe Trail Project is a contemporary home with a simple color palette elevated by natural elements. Like any typical contemporary home, the geometric façade has a crisp white finish but the horizontal wood paneling found on the entryway and garage gives a rustic contrast to the modern project.
Coats Homes
3100 Monticello Ste. #335, Dallas, TX 75205
Second generation builder Ben Coats has been building homes in Dallas for more than a decade. When he partnered with a 50-year-old homebuilder he found the opportunity to open his own firm, Coats Homes. Now in its ninth year, Coats Homes is the leading builder of the Park Cities and Preston Hollow neighborhoods. It has also won the prestigious Dallas 100 award and a 2019 Luxe Red Award.
Given its founder’s vast experience in home building, Coats Home is an expert with traditional home styles. D Magazine featured a Dutch Colonial home built in collaboration with designer Anne Williams and architect Jonothan Torode. This home was designed to go beyond the typical Dallas residence by merging Dutch Colonial and Cape Dutch themes. The beige brick exterior is predominantly Dutch Colonial and the Ludowici terra cotta tile roof gives a Mediterranean twist often found in Dallas homes. The gabled façade is mostly inspired by the Cape Dutch style and that style also comes to bear on the custom furnishing. A cozy backyard with a porch and fire pit was built so homeowners can have their own private nook.
Frankel Building Group
7800 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77007
Houston-based Frankel Building Group offers a wide range of services that include custom home building, interior design, and land acquisition. In addition to its extended services, all of the firm’s home are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
The firm was founded by seasoned builder Jim Frankel. He is one of the first Graduate Master Builders in the country, and he was an early adopter of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program. His groundbreaking projects for Houston have earned him several awards, including the prestigious Custom Builder of the Year Award from the Greater Houston Builders Association.
Frankel Building Group works closely with its clients throughout the design phase. The process starts with a consultation with the firm’s creative director, followed by the architects polishing the final floor plan. After the initial sketches, clients can explore a 3D virtual model of the newly designed home. A look at the firm’s portfolio will show that it is skilled in a number of design styles, from contemporary to transitional.
JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction
3660 Stoneridge Rd. Bldg. A-102, Austin, TX 78746
JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction is a multidisciplinary firm that offers architecture, construction, and interior design services. With offices in Houston and Austin, the firm is known throughout Texas because it has won awards for all of its residential services. Architecture might be the firm’s specialty, but its custom home services have earned the firm reputable awards like the 2019 Best New Custom Award from Texas Star Awards and a 2016 Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home Platinum Award from the Best in American Living Awards.
President Luis Jauregui is an architect and interior designer known for being active in the residential construction community. He is one of the founding members of the leadership committee of the national AIA. He has also served as president of the Home Builders Association of Austin and as director of local, state, and national homebuilder’s associations.
Even a quick look at the firm’s portfolio reveals a collection of some of the grandest homes in Texas. This Tuscan Transitional Home is a great example of the firm’s elegant European-influenced creations. Upon entering, guests are welcomed by a steel gate opening to a fountain. Inside, you’ll find a sophisticated home with marbled flooring and domed walkways.
Jenkins Design-Build
3813 Juniper Trace #100, Austin, TX 78738
An in-house architecture, interiors, and construction team have proven to be the winning combination at Austin-based Jenkins Design Build. In almost 3 decades of service, the firm has received countless statewide, national, and international awards. Some of its most notable include three Custom Builder of the Year Awards from the Texas Association of Builders and two “Best in America” Best Custom Home awards from the National Association of Home Builders.
Former Chief Master Sergeant Paul G. Jenkins established the firm because he saw a lack of durable luxury homes on the market. Jenkins found that many luxury homes were too expensive and not built to last. Hence, Jenkins Design Build specializes in building well-built homes that are filled with personalized touches for their individual homeowners.
One of its notable projects is this vacation home in Austin. The white stucco exterior and red barrel tile roof are inspired by Santa Barbara spanish architecture. The stone arch in the entryway provides a generous welcome to the well-appointed interior. Both interior and exterior feature a juxtaposition of light, modern with reclaimed wood and antique furnishings. Tasteful landscaping completes the feel of a European-style villa.
Katz Builders
7901 Southwest Pkwy. Unit #12, Austin, Texas 78735
Katz Builders is one of the oldest firms in Austin. It has been in business since 1984 and it has made a name for themselves for building some of the best luxury homes in the city. The Katz Builders team includes their “Head Coach, Joel B. Katz” who is the first custom home builder in Austin to become a Certified Graduate Master Builder, a National Certification. Katz Builders is also an award-winning firm that has received the TAB Star Awards for Best Full House Remodels and Best Custom Luxury Home. Besides its design awards, the firm’s customer service has garnered recognition from different organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders, Texas Association of Home Builders, Home Builders of Greater Austin, National Association of Remodelers Industry, Remodeler Magazine, Custom Builder Magazine. Katz Builders is one of the very few firms that has won a National Pacesetter Award for Customer Service and recognized by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for Customer Service.
The firm’s portfolio has a variety of home styles that include luxurious estates and simple single-family homes. From simple remodels to ground-up construction, the firm’s creations are modern interpretations of familiar home styles in the Austin neighborhood. These stunning works are often in the National Association of Remodelers Industry Tour of Remodeled Homes.
Key Residential
PO Box 2870, Grapevine, TX 76099
For 35 years Key Residential has been providing luxury custom homes and remodeling for homeowners in Dallas and the surrounding areas. The experienced firm has earned a number of distinguished certifications like Certified Graduate Builder, Aging-In-Place Specialist, and Master Certified Green Professional. Founder Kevin Key has been part of the Dallas remodeling industry for 18 years and he has made numerous connections with design professionals who often collaborate with the firm.
Since it was established in 2010, Key Residential has won several awards from the Dallas Builders Association and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Some of its most notable awards include the ARC Remodeler of the Year Award for two consecutive years and a 2016 Contractor of the Year Award for Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration.
Recently the firm worked on a whole house remodel in Dallas and the result was a traditional American home. The classy gray exterior gives a polished look to the traditional home. Gothic elements are also present in the windows and Victorian lamps illuminate the entryway.
Laughlin Homes and Restoration
616 West Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Laughlin Homes and Restoration is a respected custom home builder that consistently wins awards year after year, and the firm has been winning national awards for the past decade. One of its national award-winning projects is the Prairie Mountain Home. The modern ranch home has received the 2018 NAHB Best in American Living Platinum Award for Entire House Remodel and the 2018 Professional Remodeler Design Gold Award for Kitchen Renovation.
Founder and third-generation builder Richard Laughlin is known for his innovations that incorporate historic Texas Hill Country elements into modern homes. The company has become a staple of the Hill Country over the last 35 years. Laughlin—a Certified Graduate Builder and Certified Green Professional—remains actively involved in every aspect of the building process. He has developed a national network of material providers that allows him to find the right elements for any home and has long-standing relationships with many local contractors whom he trusts to execute his designs.
Mike Hollaway Custom Homes
2511 W North Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78258
Mike Hollaway established his own company in 1992 after pursuing a lifelong passion for building custom homes. Mike Hollaway Custom Homes has a well-earned reputation for building luxury homes tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. That attention to detail starts at the initial home design and includes budgeting, financing, and interior design. The Mike Hollaway Custom Homes team takes great pride in staying up-to-date with current industry trends and technological evolutions. Clients can choose from an array of energy-saving features that range from Platinum, Gold, and Silver. These classifications vary in material and cost but its goal is to create an energy-efficient home that will save money.
The firm’s portfolio consists of award-winning traditional and contemporary homes. These extraordinary custom homes have earned many industry accolades from the Texas Association of Builders and the Greater San Antonio Builders Association. Some of these awards include the 2017 Custom Builder Award for Best Architectural Design and the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.
On Point Custom Homes
3939 Essex Ln. Ste #100, Houston, TX 77027
On Point Custom Homes is one of the leading custom home builders and remodelers in the Houston market. The Houston-based custom home design/build firm and remodeling company has won many other local and national accolades. Most recently it received two 2018 Silver Awards from the NAHB Best in American Living Awards for its Single Family Custom Home.
Founder John Leggett is a second-generation builder who wants to bring contemporary architectural practices to his own firm by using the latest architectural software. His innovative approach earned the National Pacesetter Award from Custom Home Magazine.
On Point Custom Homes take an innovative, service-oriented approach to custom home building. It has an in-house team that walks clients through the design and construction processes step-by-step. They are capable of providing clients with a range of stylistic choices and have curated an impressive collection of homes, each with a different feel. Its homes range from urban contemporary to timeless traditional. The On Point Custom Homes team has multiple Certified Green Builders on staff, ensuring their homes are cleanly built, energy-efficient, and environmentally conscious.
RisherMartin Fine Homes
4524 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78756
RisherMartin Fine Homes is known all over Austin as the leading builder for the most discerning neighborhoods in the city. Founders Chris Risher and Jeremy Martin are active members of the Austin building community. Both have been part of Professional Remodeler Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list and, together, they received the 2016 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year. Like its founders, RisherMartin Fine Homes has won awards for its luxury home building services. Some of its awards include a 2018 Custom Builder of the Year from Texas Association of Builders and a 2017 Contractor of the Year Award for Best Entire House Remodel over $1M.
The Tarrytown Home was recently on the cover of Austin Home Magazine. The contemporary bachelor pad has an innovative exterior that catches the attention of every passerby. But the lot is more stunning from inside: its entryway features a stunning blue water pool and a lounge area for guests who want to get some sun. The homeowners specifically requested a very modern home to complement the green lot that is also inhabited by protected heritage trees.
Sterling Custom Homes
1310 R.R. 620 S Ste. B-200, Austin, Texas 78734
Austin-Based Sterling Custom Homes is one of the most decorated builders in the state with 131 awards under its belt. The firm has been winning awards since 1992 and, most recently, it received six 2019 Star Awards from the Texas Association of Builders, including Best New Custom Home in the $2M-$3M range.
The firm has built over 200 homes in the past 27 years and President Duke McDowell has dedicated his entire career to homebuilding. He is a past Chairman of the Industrial Engineering Advisory Board for Texas Tech and has been recognized for his contributions to the home construction industry as an inductee to the Engineering Technology Academy at Texas Tech University. And he has served as a consultant for 14 of the top 200 builders in the nation. His team has well over a century of combined experience designing and building homes and includes three Certified Green Professionals on staff.
One of the firm’s favorite projects is this Austin country home. The Mediterranean home has an elevated backyard with a heated pool that perfectly captures the view of Lake Austin. Building the backyard was a challenge; the lot was small so the firm to bring in huge stone blocks and 20-foot retaining walls.
Zbranek and Holt Custom Homes
2220 Lakeway Blvd. Ste. #100 Austin, TX 78734
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes has over 40 years of building experience in Central Texas. They specialize in working with relocating families to the greater Austin and Texas Hill Country area. The full-service firm provides clients with a home designed specifically for their family’s individual lifestyle, desires, and architectural design preferences. Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes specializes in various home styles including traditional estates, luxurious waterfront home, award winning modern farm house designs, golf course homes, and spectacular contemporary custom residences.
To help make the entire process easy, the firm provides clients with the latest web-driven technology to access every detail of their project. These include scheduling, cost reviews, upgrades, financial decisions, and more. Both owners are Graduate Master Builders, Certified Green Building Professionals, and national judges for Parade of Homes competitions.
Before establishing his own firm, Steve Zbranek was an Air Force Vietnam Era Veteran who would, later on, find his passion for homebuilding. Today Zbranek is an acclaimed builder who has been inducted into the Austin Builder Hall of Fame. Tony Holt is a past President of the Texas Hill Country Builders Association and a Graduate of Leadership Lake Travis. The Zbranek & Holt team has been recognized as the Custom Builder of the Year three times from the Austin Business Journal and Zbranek has been named National Master Builder of the Year twice.
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
