The honest truth about new construction builders
You have heard that new construction is a mistake. Some of that is fair, but a lot of it comes down to the builder and the specific community, not new construction itself. Here is my real tier list of the builders I have worked with across South Austin, Buda, Kyle, and Bastrop, what I have actually seen, and how to pick one you will not regret. 175+ closings since 2016.
- ✓ A great builder shows up when something is wrong
- ✓ Every new home has issues, so get inspections
- ✓ The right builder depends on your budget and goals
Is new construction a bad idea?
No, and here is the honest version. New construction works for a lot of buyers, and sometimes the builder incentives, a rate buydown or help with closing costs, are exactly what make a home affordable when it otherwise would not be. Yes, some builders carry a rough reputation. But in my experience those problems usually live in one community or one stretch of time, not across everything a builder does. The same builder can be excellent in one neighborhood and uneven in another. So the real question is not "is new construction bad," it is "is this builder, in this community, right now, a good bet." After 175+ closings since 2016, that is exactly what I help buyers figure out.
One thing up front, so you know where I stand: I only rate builders I have actually worked with, either filming a community or walking a client through a purchase. I am not going to hand you a list I copied off the internet. And a quick note on how I think about tiers. A lot of it comes down to the balance of quality and price, how nice the home is for what you pay, but every community is different, the same builder can change from community to community, and honestly it can even come down to which construction manager you get, because in any job some people are just better than others. So take the tiers as my honest read, then do the two things that protect you no matter what: get inspections, and work with an agent who has your back.
Here is a builder most relocators have never heard of, even though they keep quietly winning. It is a good example of what I look for:
How to tell a good builder from a bad one
If you only remember one section, make it this one. These are the things I actually check, and the ones I wish every buyer knew before they walked into a sales office.
- Ask what the warranty is before you buy. It used to be a 1-2-10 (one year on workmanship, two on systems, ten on structural). The law changed, and some builders now offer 1-2-6. If a builder dropped to a 1-2-6, ask why. It does not automatically mean the product is worse, but it is worth the question.
- Get an inspection. Every time. A new home will have issues, just like a resale. You expect perfect, and it will not be. If you cannot afford an inspection before closing, at least get the one-year warranty inspection. Cosmetic items often are not covered, and that is fair. Structural items are, and if a builder tries to tell you a structural item is not covered, call me and I will do what I can.
- Do the blue-tape walk with the construction manager. Mark everything you see. But remember these homes are built by people, so a little caulk or a nail pop is normal. What you want perfect is the structural pieces, not the cosmetics.
- Do not let the sales rep sell you on scarcity. "This is the only time you can get this deal" is the oldest line there is. Maybe it is true. If that deal is gone, another one comes. If that plan sells, they build another. Make it your decision, not theirs. Good builders are not pushy. They show you the home and work with you.
- Run the incentive math, do not just react to it. Incentives are great, but $20,000 off the price is not always the win. Sometimes that money does more as closing costs or a rate buydown. Go through the scenarios, and do not be afraid to ask the builder for more.
- Do not get sold on building materials. A lot of builders use the same products. Do your homework before you get sold on 30-year shingles over 20-year shingles, and be honest, your roof is not lasting 30 years in Texas anyway. Same with windows: most are two-pane argon gas. Do not let it be the reason you buy.
- Know your lot and what is behind it. Builders push impervious cover, packing as many lots into a space as they can. Get the lot you actually want, and find out what is going in behind you. If it is open land, check the zoning, do not just trust "it will stay open." Expect it to become something one day.
- Nail down the MUD or PID tax per lot. It can change road to road inside the same community. Know your exact number before you fall in love. My MUD and PID guide shows how to check any address.
- Do not buy on promised amenities. The pool and the trails and the park sometimes turn into something else. Unless an amenity is already built or permitted, do not pay for it in your head.
- Understand the earnest money rules. Most builders will return your earnest money if a real issue comes up, but be respectful and talk it out. Leave them high and dry and they are not obligated to give it back. Ask up front what does and does not qualify.
My builder tiers, from experience
These are grouped by who each builder fits, not good versus bad. Every one of these has its place. I have put my full list of 25 in a table at the end, and written up the ones I have the most to say about here.
Highland Homes
One of the best closings I have had recently. They let us make changes mid-project, they were genuinely easy to work with, and they were out doing repairs immediately after closing. Most of what they do is semi-custom, so you are making real choices at the design center, not picking from three preset packages. Priced toward the top of the production range, and worth it for the right buyer. Building right now at Easton Park in South Austin and 6 Creeks in Kyle.
David Weekley Homes
Strong reputation and real customer service, plus a build-on-your-lot option if you have land. Here is the thing that tells you who they are: I have a David Weekley sales rep right now bending over backwards to help my buyer work through issues, and we are not even under contract yet. That is the standard you want. You will find them across the metro, including Sunfield in Buda, The Colony in Bastrop, and Easton Park in South Austin.
Toll Brothers and Scott Felder
My higher-end favorites to walk. I love their finishes and I love walking their models, and I have seen or heard good things from both over the years. If you want that elevated, this-feels-custom feel in a production process, start here. Scott Felder is building now at Double Eagle Ranch and The Colony in Bastrop.
Also in Tier 1
Ashton Woods, Chesmar, Coventry, Drees, and Perry round out the tier. Solid finishes and process from what I have seen. See the full table below for the quick read on each.
Meritage Homes
My value pick in this tier. They do not do a lot of bells and whistles, but they build a solid home. I love the spray-foam insulation, the energy efficiency is real, the warranties are strong, and they work hard to take care of the buyer. If you want a well-built home without paying for showy finishes, look here. You can see them at Turners Crossing in Buda and Double Eagle Ranch in Bastrop.
Pulte Homes
I recently closed a Pulte buyer who works in construction himself, and he is still very happy with the home. When a guy who builds for a living signs off on his own house, that tells you something. Building now at Crosswinds in Kyle and Sunfield in Buda.
Brohn Homes
A real story, and it ended the right way. I had a client close on a Brohn home, and within two years a crack ran from a window to the ceiling. He thought foundation. We reached out to the warranty company and they first said it was just settling. I told them we would get a free third-party foundation inspection, and at that point they sent someone out, and it turned out to be a real foundation issue.
M/I Homes
Another one that shows why representation matters. I had a client with a disability building from dirt, and we were promised the lot would not have an incline. Once the foundation was poured, there was one, and the sales rep said there was nothing we could do.
Also in Tier 2
CastleRock, Century, DRB, Empire, Milestone, and Pacesetter fill out the tier. Quick read on each in the table below.
Let me be clear: low tier does not mean a bad builder. These are the more affordable options, often in the $200,000s to low $300,000s. If I am spending $400,000 or more, I am probably not looking here. But if your goal is to stop leasing and get into ownership, they can be a great way in. They do see more complaints, a lot of it tied to sheer volume, and the warranty departments can be more of a hassle. KB and Lennar have not always been the easiest for me to work with as the buyer's agent. So get your inspections, stay on top of your warranty items, and call your agent if something comes up.
DR Horton
I have sold a lot of DR Horton homes, because it is what my client could afford, and most of those owners are happy. They either still own the home or sold it for a profit. It is a high-volume builder, so the playbook is simple: get your warranties, stay on top of repairs, and lean on your agent when you need to. You will find them at Southgrove and Paramount in Kyle and Prairie Lakes in Buda.
The full list: every builder I have rated
All 25 builders I have worked with, filming a community or closing a client. Tiers are my honest read, and remember it can shift by community and construction manager.
| Builder | Tier | My quick read |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Homes | Tier 1 | Employee-owned, semi-custom, responsive after closing. A top recommendation. |
| David Weekley | Tier 1 | Reputation and service, build-on-your-lot option, reps who go the extra mile. |
| Toll Brothers | Tier 1 | Higher-end finishes, models worth walking. |
| Scott Felder | Tier 1 | Elevated finishes, one of my favorites to tour. |
| Drees | Tier 1 | Semi-custom leaning, strong finish quality. |
| Perry Homes | Tier 1 | Established Texas builder, solid process. |
| Coventry Homes | Tier 1 | Nice finishes in the higher-production range. |
| Ashton Woods | Tier 1 | Design-forward, good buyer experience from what I have seen. |
| Chesmar | Tier 1 | Well-regarded regional builder, quality finishes. |
| Meritage | Tier 2 | My value pick: spray-foam, energy efficiency, strong warranty, solid home. |
| Pulte | Tier 2 | Dependable. Closed a construction-pro buyer who is still happy. |
| Brohn | Tier 2 | Had a foundation issue that they ultimately fixed and made right. |
| M/I Homes | Tier 2 | Ratified a lot issue and kept showing up after closing. |
| Century Communities | Tier 2 | Reasonable mid-tier value. |
| CastleRock | Tier 2 | Mid-tier option worth a look. |
| DRB Homes | Tier 2 | Mid-tier builder active in Buda, Kyle, South Austin. |
| Empire Homes | Tier 2 | Mid-tier option across the metro. |
| Milestone Community Builders | Tier 2 | Local builder, active in communities like Persimmon in Buda. |
| Pacesetter Homes | Tier 2 | Mid-tier value builder. |
| Taylor Morrison | Tier 2 | Varies by community: a lighter product in Sunfield, a really nice one in Easton Park. |
| DR Horton | Tier 3 | Affordable and high-volume. I have sold many, most owners happy. |
| Lennar | Tier 3 | Budget-friendly, high volume. Can be tougher for an agent to work with. |
| KB Home | Tier 3 | Entry-level pricing. Warranty and process can take patience. |
| Centex | Tier 3 | Entry-level line (Pulte family), a path into ownership. |
| Starlight Homes | Tier 3 | Entry-level, affordability-focused. |
Price bands and tier placements are my read as of 2026 and can move by community. Confirm current pricing for any specific home.
See these builders in the field
The fastest way to judge a builder is to walk their models. Here are the communities I have toured across the four markets, grouped so you can start where you are looking. Each page has my honest take, the price band, the schools, and the tax picture:
- South Austin: Cascades at Onion Creek, Marble Creek Crossing, Cloverleaf, Novel, Drew Lane
- Buda: Sunfield, Turners Crossing, Willow Springs, Prairie Lakes, Stallion Run, The Porch at Du Pre
- Kyle: Anthem, Southgrove, Crosswinds, Paramount, Sage Hollow, Casetta Ranch
- Bastrop: The Colony, Double Eagle Ranch
Want the whole map in one place? See every new-construction community I have toured, grouped by market.
Builders I have not worked with yet
In the interest of being straight with you, here are builders I have not worked with yet, so I am not going to give them a grade. That is not a knock, it just means I do not have first-hand experience to share, and I would rather tell you that than pretend: Clark Wilson, Del Webb, Giddens, Keystone, Prominence, Trophy Signature, Blackburn, Newmark, Risewell, Tri Pointe, and Terrata. If you are looking at one of these, reach out and I will tell you honestly what I do and do not know.
One last thing, because I see the comments. People worry the buyer's agent and the builder's agent are in cahoots. That should never be the case. Your agent will work with the sales rep to get the deal closed, but your agent should be 100% looking out for you. My inspectors work for me, not the builder, so they point out the real issues. That is the whole job.
Looking at a specific builder or community? Call me at (512) 487-9242 and I will give you my honest read.
Meet Brandon Holley
New construction is most of what I do. I have filmed the communities, walked the models, and closed the deals across South Austin, Buda, Kyle, and Bastrop, 175+ closings since 2016. I work with most of the major builders in Central Texas, so I do not have a reason to push one over another. I recommend the ones I recommend because of what I have seen: how they build, how they communicate, and how they show up after closing.
