Austin’s Best & Worst Home Builders Ranked 2025

If you’re hunting for Austin’s best & worst home builders, you deserve a clear, honest breakdown—from the unicorns who consistently get it right to the names you should approach with caution. After buying from builders myself, walking clients through dozens of neighborhoods, and sitting in more sales offices than I can count, here’s my take on who to trust and who to watch closely when buying new construction in the Austin suburbs.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Not All Builders Are Equal
• Ranking Criteria Explained
• Top Tier Builders: The Unicorns
• Solid Choices: Reliable but Not Perfect
• Middle Ground: Decent but Dicey
• Bottom Tier: Proceed with Caution
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts
• Buyer Checklist: How to Shop New Construction
• FAQ

Introduction: Not All Builders Are Equal

Not all builders in the Austin suburbs are created equal. Some deliver a home you’re proud to show off; others leave you on a first-name basis with the warranty department. Over the years I’ve purchased two new construction homes—one for an investment property and one for my personal home—so I’ve seen both sides of the ledger. I’ve also walked clients through neighborhoods, sat in model homes, and witnessed everything from award-winning finishes to drywall tape popping off the ceiling.

VIEW HOMES FOR SALE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

Ranking Criteria Explained

How I ranked Austin’s best & worst home builders comes down to three pillars: build quality, post-close customer service (warranty responsiveness), and consistency across communities. My tiers aren’t an old-school A–F grade; they’re practical:

• Top tier — The Unicorns: Builders that consistently deliver solid homes and customer service.
• Solid choices: Reliable in most cases, but expect to be involved and watch the details.
• Middle ground: They build houses. Some buyers love them, others don’t. You’ll need oversight.
• Bottom tier — Proceed with caution: You can buy from them, but be prepared for potential headaches.

Top Tier Builders: The Unicorns

These builders are rare in that they’re both consistent and reliable—true unicorns in the new construction world. If you want to minimize drama, start here.

Taylor Morrison

Taylor Morrison has been named America’s most trusted builder for nine years running. That kind of streak says something about consistency. They strike a solid balance between value and quality. Are they flawless? No builder is. Warranty items still pop up (they do everywhere), but compared to most other builders, Taylor Morrison’s consistency makes them a top-tier pick if you want to avoid second-guessing your purchase daily.

Brohn Homes (local)

Brohn Homes is a local favorite—Austin-founded and awarded developer of the year. Their customer service reviews are strong and they deliver a lot of house for the money. Compared to national giants, Brohn feels boutique and personal. If supporting a local company matters to you, Brohn is one of the top names on my list for Austin’s best & worst home builders analysis—definitely on the “best” side.

Scott Felder

Scott Felder earns top-tier status for award-winning floorplans, luxury move-up designs, and a reputation for energy efficiency and customization. Full transparency: they’re not perfectly consistent—I've seen both stunning builds and projects where workmanship raised eyebrows—but overall, if you want something that feels semi-custom without an all-custom price tag, Scott Felder should be high on your list.

Solid Choices: Reliable but Not Perfect

These builders are generally reliable, but you’ll want to stay engaged during the build and pay attention to details.

Perry Homes

Perry has been building in Texas for a long time and has a solid reputation. I appreciate their rare 2-year workmanship warranty—that’s generous for this price point. Their models tend to have good curb appeal and smart designs. That said, there are odd exceptions. I’ve seen a Perry home with faux windows so convincing nobody noticed until after closing. So Perry usually gets it right—but check everything before signing off.

Highland Homes

Highland offers gorgeous floorplans, energy efficiency, and lots of awards. But reviews can be mixed: plumbing complaints, drainage concerns, and warranty claims that sometimes drag on. Highland is a solid choice if you stay involved and do periodic walkthroughs. Think of it like owning a classic car—beautiful to look at, but you’ll want a reliable mechanic to call if things go sideways.

Middle Ground: Decent but Dicey

Builders in this category will give you a house, but the variability is higher. If you choose them, hire an independent inspector for staged inspections and attend key walkthroughs.

DRB Homes

DRB (which rebranded from Brightland and before that Gehan) lands squarely in the middle. Full disclosure: my personal home was built by Gehan. The house works—I still live in it—but the experience was mixed. Long construction timeline (about nine months during a high-price period), messy job sites with beer cans at each walk-through, crooked baseboards, and a slightly misaligned frameless shower door were part of it.

That said, they made things right when we reported issues. The moral of the story: you can get a good product from DRB, but constant name changes and mixed reviews mean you should be proactive—hire an independent inspector at every stage and document deficiencies as you go.

KB Home

KB Home scores points for affordability, customization options, and energy efficiency, but they rank low nationally in consumer trust. If you want a highly personalized home on a tight budget, KB can be a workable option—just be prepared to babysit the build. Think of KB like a budget airline: you’ll reach your destination, but don’t expect complimentary extras and keep a close eye on your “luggage” (aka your finishes).

Bottom Tier: Proceed with Caution

These builders operate at large scale and can be a good fit for investors or strictly budget-driven buyers—but they come with trade-offs. If you buy from them, be ready with a strong inspector, patience, and a warranty checklist.

D.R. Horton

D.R. Horton is the largest builder in the U.S. and ubiquitous across suburb communities. They’re affordable and they help many buyers get into homes they otherwise couldn’t afford. I even purchased an investment property from them because the numbers were right. However, quality can be inconsistent: I’ve seen roofing problems, rushed workmanship, and warranty complaints in the Austin area. The good news is their warranty department often steps in to fix issues, but if your priority is a dream-quality home, look higher on the list.

Lennar

Lennar markets an “everything’s included” package that looks great on paper, but in practice there have been serious issues locally—most notably foundation lawsuits in Bradshaw Crossing, Austin. Foundation failures are a major red flag because they affect safety and resale value. Lennar is a massive company, but size doesn’t automatically mean better quality. Proceed with caution and get foundation-specific documentation and inspections if you’re considering Lennar.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Here’s the quick recap of Austin’s best & worst home builders as I ranked them:

• Top tier (Unicorns): Taylor Morrison, Brohn Homes, Scott Felder
• Solid choices: Perry, Highland Homes
• Middle ground: DRB (Brightland/Gehan), KB Home
• Bottom tier — Watch closely: D.R. Horton, Lennar

Every builder meets code, but they’re not equal in how they build and how they treat you after closing. The difference often comes down to consistency, oversight, and how proactively issues are handled under warranty.

Buyer Checklist: How to Shop New Construction

• Hire an independent inspector for key stages (pre-drywall, post-electric/plumbing, final walkthrough).
• Attend walkthroughs. Don’t let your agent do it alone—your eyes matter.
• Document jobsite conditions and defects with dated photos.
• Read warranty terms carefully: what’s covered, claim windows, and response timelines.
• Ask for references from recent buyers in the same community and plan to speak with them.
• Confirm any known issues (foundation, drainage, roofing) and ask for remedial documentation.

VIEW HOMES FOR SALE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

FAQ

Who builds the most reliable homes in the Austin suburbs?

In my experience, Taylor Morrison, Brohn Homes, and Scott Felder are the most consistently reliable—hence my top-tier picks. They’re the builders I’d point buyers to first when discussing Austin’s best & worst home builders.

Are large national builders like D.R. Horton and Lennar bad choices?

Not necessarily. They can be good for investors and budget-driven buyers. The trade-off is a higher chance you’ll need to manage warranty issues or accept mid-level finishes. With Lennar, confirm there are no local structural liabilities; with D.R. Horton, expect affordability but variable craftsmanship.

How important is an independent inspector during construction?

Extremely important. Even with top-tier builders, an inspector can catch items your walkthrough might miss. For middle- and bottom-tier builders, staged inspections are essential to avoid surprises at closing.

I’m moving to the Austin area—where should I start?

Narrow your search by priorities: budget, commute, school district, and resale outlook. If you want low-risk, prioritize top-tier builders. If you need affordability, factor in inspection and warranty diligence. If you want help, reach out for a consultation so we can map builders to your goals.

If you’ve got a builder story that flips these rankings upside down, drop it in the comments or reach out. This list is based on real-world experience, but real experiences vary—and I want to hear yours as we refine this guide to Austin’s best & worst home builders.

Book a Zoom Call