One of the most important decisions a homeowner makes when building a custom home in Texas is hiring the right builder. A high-quality residential general contractor will not only deliver a well-built house with meticulous detailing and high-end materials, but will make the process less stressful. A great home builder can carefully follow architect’s plans and keep your residential project on schedule and on budget. Making the decision to build your dream home in Texas is huge and it can be difficult knowing how to hire the right contractor for the job. To help, we researched hundreds of companies and created a list of the 10 best custom home builders throughout Texas.
In a state as large as Texas, we wanted to ensure that our list covered the needs of our readers. Many of these builders are located around Austin, building some of the most modern, urban, and architectural complex homes in the country, but there are also contractors in the San Antonio and Hill Country area that can build family estates and ranch homes, Houston-based builders working on mega-mansions and traditional homes, as well as those building in the ever-expanding Dallas and Fort Worth area or along the Gulf Coast. Although most of these contractors can accomplish any range of projects — from large home renovations and kitchen and bath remodels, to additions, general home improvement projects, and even commercial work — they have earned their reputations for new home construction. These construction companies will work with your project team to give you the floor plan and style you need for your lifestyle and make the process run smoothly with their knowledge of local zoning regulations, building codes, and the permit process, as well as their connections to the best subcontractors and artisans. When building a custom home in TX, consider hiring one of these 10 custom home builders.
About our methodology: We considered hundreds of professionals while making this list of the 10 best custom home builders in Texas. In addition to professional associations, we heavily weighed recognition the firm has received in the form of awards and press, any prestigious clientele they have worked with, whether or not they collaborate with other top industry professionals, including architects and interior designers, and what areas they work in, the more exclusive and high-end neighborhoods having greater influence. We also took into account the value of the projects they undertake, years in the business, customer reviews for quality and service, and range of services offered. We also took into account geographic location in order to give you a good sampling of the best companies across the state.
If you are thinking about doing a construction project, 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.
10) Nixon Custom Homes
5952 Royal Ln, Dallas, TX 75230
Where they work: Dallas area
Nixon Custom Homes is a Dallas-based high-end custom home builder that has earned a reputation for well-built, beautiful homes. Focused on contemporary, traditional, and European styles of architecture, including French, Country French, Normandy, English, and Mediterranean, each home is crafted specifically for the individual needs of a client. Nixon Custom Homes builds clients lifestyle into their home, including through the materials and siting within the specific plot. Nixon Custom Homes focuses on building for discerning clients in Park Cities and Preston Hollow. The company has developed an excellent reputation for building quality homes over the course of many years and is well respected within the local real estate community.
Nixon Custom Homes is run by owner Allen Nixon and Project Manager Austin Nixon. Allen Nixon has more than 27 years of experience in custom home building and is involved with each project from the initial design stage through the finishing touches of completion. He has assembled a diverse team that collaborates closely to ensure every aspect of a project is completed to the highest standards. In addition to his role in the company, Allen Nixon serves on the City of Dallas Building Inspection Advisory and Appeals Board. He is joined at Nixon Custom Home by his son Austin.
9) Stadler Custom Homes
32335 US Hwy 281 N, Bulverde, TX 78163
Where they work: San Antonio Hill Country
Stadler Custom Homes, San Antonio’s foremost custom home builder, has become a go-to new home construction company for discerning clients since 1995. They have become known for delivering the highest level of quality and workmanship in the Texas Hill Country, with a hallmark attention to detail that is often unsurpassed in the area. Run by founder Ray Stadler, the company has built a variety of home styles over the years — Mediterranean, Contemporary, Rustic, Transitional, Tuscan, French Country, Farmhouse, and more — guaranteeing that they are familiar with any kind of home a client approaches them about. The construction company specializes in high-end homes, currently building new residences in the $800,000 and up price range in the north side of San Antonio.
One of the most experienced teams in Texas, they have a reputation for excellent service and building honest relationships with clients, employees, and trade partners. The result is a smooth and personalized process that ends with a gorgeous, well-built home tailored to the needs, budget, and timeline of each client. Their approach to client relationships emphasizes face-to-face interaction but also incorporates collaborative technology where appropriate. The company will accompany clients to design meetings with their architect if desired and perform detailed reviews throughout the design process to offer their expertise and ensure that in the end, each client gets exactly what they want and need, within their budget. They are also highly knowledgeable about the local market and can help clients find and evaluate different land plots according to their custom home needs. Only the finest construction materials are used in their home builds and they incorporate cutting edge home construction technology and techniques.
8) Travis + Travis General Contractors
PO BOX #5178, Frisco, TX 75034
Where they work: Dallas Fort-Worth area
Travis + Travis General Contractors has been serving Dallas’ most upscale neighborhoods for more than 40 years and, not surprising to those familiar with their quality work, become a highly sought-after and trusted local construction company. Earning multiple Dallas’ Best Home Builder Awards and being included many times on D Magazine’s list of the best home builders, Travis + Travis has had the honor and privilege of building and remodeling luxury estate homes in Dallas with the most sophisticated and discerning owners. Their homes have stood the test of time and earned the company numerous awards and collaborations with highly-respected interior designers and architects.
This premier luxury home builder is renowned for incredible renovations and new contemporary masterpieces in Dallas’s finest neighborhoods, including Turtle Creek, the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, and North Dallas. They have earned a loyal client base, who often comes back to the company for second and third homes, by incorporating value engineering and job cost control budgeting with their construction management expertise. Dedicated to their craft, Travis + Travis continue to maintain and service many of the buildings that they’ve constructed over the years. The company has assembled a solid team of Project Managers, all of whom are Master Carpenters with experience that average 25-30 years in the custom home industry. Working on projects as high as $12 million in value, these Project Managers are known for their hands-on approach, attention to detail, and incredible customer service, resulting in a comfortable and creative home building experience and final product.
7) RisherMartin Fine Homes
4524 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Where they work: Central Texas
RisherMartin Fine Homes is a highly efficient, systems-driven Austin-based custom home building and remodeling firm focused on customer service and quality craftsmanship. Among their dozens of awards is being named by Remodeling Magazine as a 2014 ‘Big 50 Remodeler’, Project of the Year by Builder Magazine and Custom Home Magazine, and many awards from the Texas Association of Builders and AIA Austin. Other awards include a National Association of Home Builders Best in American Living Silver Award, National Association of The Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year Award, and being named Home Builders Association of Greater Austin President’s Award, Custom Builder of the Year, and Texas Association of Builders Grand Remodeler of the Year. Not surprisingly, they have had the honor of working with many top architects, including Furman + Keil Architects and Tim Cuppett Architects..
“Our heavy emphasis on Pre-Construction Services allows us to collaborate early and often with our clients and architect partners, leading to our unique Fixed Price contracting approach. This allows us to bring complex, high-end residential projects in on-time and on-budget, making the journey more enjoyable and less stressful for our clients.” – Jeremy Martin
RisherMartin has worked for demanding clientele in many of Austin’s most established and up-and-coming neighborhoods, from East Austin to Travis Heights, Rosedale to Tarrytown, and Westlake to Barton Creek. Whether working on a Tuscan mansion, 5-star green home, urban townhome, cozy cottage, or large ranch home, they use the best technology, finest materials, and a strong attention to detail. They are known for their excellent customer service, efficient communication, and strong project management from initial design development through move-in day. Clients also benefit from their wealth of local real estate knowledge and deep relationships with Austin’s most skilled craftsmen and subcontractors. Principal Chris Risher is a NARI Certified Remodeler, a certification bestowed upon less than 1% of remodelers nationwide and was recently named one of Professional Builder magazine’s “40 Under 40″ builders. He is a past board member of the Real Estate Council of Austin and currently serves as the Immediate Past President for Austin’s National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Principal Jeremy Martin earned the 2015 Custom Builder of the Year award from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by the National Association of Home Builders. He is a frequent contributor to Qualified Remodeler magazine and was also named as one of Professional Remodeler magazine’s “40 Under 40″ builders.
6) Sebastian Construction Group
(Houston) | 3100 Monticello Ave #750, Dallas, TX 75205 // 520 Post Oak, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77005
Where they work: Texas
Sebastian Construction Group, with offices in Houston and Dallas, is a highly respected and long-established custom home company throughout Texas. They are regularly trusted by top architects to meticulously build their designs, including Neal Stewart Design Associates, Ford, Powell & Carson of San Antonio, AD100’s Lake Flato Architects, California’s renowned Backen Gillam & Kroeger Architects, Max Levy Architects, whose founder received the Texas Society of Architects O’Neil Ford Medal for Design Achievement this year, Overland Partners, Bodron + Fruit, Neal Stewart Design Associates, and the world-renowned Robert A M Stern Architects on New York, among many other prestigious firms. And they have worked with many top designers, including Hayslip Design Associates, Eleanor Cummings Design, and AD100’s Atelier AM of California and Emily Summers Design Associates. Awards for their homes include the 2017 John Staub award from The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Texas Chapter and their work has been featured widely in shelter publications, including Architectural Digest, Luxe, Veranda, Country Home, Texas Architect, and Art Auction, among others.
“I think that the one thing that has and always will separate is our passion for building meaningful architecture. In fact, it is one of the five core values as a company that we hold ourselves accountable to. Frankly, if someone is happy with a cookie-cutter or ordinary projects, you are probably working at the wrong place. Our projects all have unique challenges and we are passionate about executing the architect’s design intent exactly as they envisioned. This came from my background as an architect myself, but over the decades, it has become a passion that is present in each of our 50 plus employees at this point. We truly are blessed to have a collection of talented and dedicated people who care deeply about our clients and their projects. I am very proud of that commitment from our entire team.” – John Sebastian
Sebastian Construction Group has a 7-decade history in Texas. It was founded in 1948 by George Sebastian after returning home from WWII. He began by building “post-war” houses to support the expanding Dallas population, eventually transitioning in the 1950s into high-end renovations of grand Highland Park homes. In the 1970’s, the company began a design-build approach to new, high-end residential construction. George Sebastian’s son John joined the firm in the 80’s, eventually taking over in 1992. He eliminated in-house architecture services to focus solely on construction and implemented new systems to improve quality control, scheduling, and costs. This is reflected in their dedicated pre-construction team that identifies potential problems and develops solutions early in the design process. The company’s expansive history has resulted in a smooth experience for clients and impressively built high-end homes and allowed them to recruit the best talent in the construction industry.
5) Pilgrim Building Company
PO Box 90385, Austin, TX 78709
Where they work: Central Texas
Named by Austin Home Magazine as 2013’s Best Custom Homebuilder, it is no wonder that Pilgrim Building Company has worked on some of central Texas’s most intriguing and beautifully built homes. Named by Austin Home Magazine as the ‘Hottest Building Company’, the company’s work has earned many awards, including an AIA national Design Award, numerous AIA Austin Design Awards, AIA Dallas Design Awards, an IIDA Residential Honorable Mention, EHDA Merit Award, and an American Society of Interior Designers Dream Home Silver Design Award. Most recently, the company earned a 2017 Texas Architect Design Award and AIA Small Project Award. Their work has been featured on the AIA Austin Homes Tour and a Cool House Tour.
“We build custom homes with a holistic approach, dovetailing efficiency and sustainability; infusing aesthetic detail with experienced craftsmanship. Therefore we focus on materials and methods that balance both construction and life-cycle cost. The result is a home that is cohesive among its parts and harmonious with its environment.” – Pilgrim Building Company
The excellent work of Pilgrim Building Company has resulted in many collaborations with the area’s best architects, including Furman + Keil Architects, Matt Garcia Design, Max Levy Architect, Jobe Corral Architects, Alterstudio Architecture, A Parallel Architecture, Andersson-Wise Architects, Mell Lawrence Architects, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, and Mell Lawrence Architects. Their work has been featured by Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, Texas Architect Magazine, Austin HOME Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Luxe Magazine Austin-Hill Country, Dwell, and Tribeza Magazine, and was included in the book Farmhouses: The New Style.
Company founder and president Branson Fustes has assembled an enviable team of the best builders and staff in the area that provide a personalized and stress-free home building process to their clients. They have a reputation for honesty, timeliness, and deep collaboration with the entire custom home team to develop creative building solutions within a client’s budget and timeline, while also incorporating unique lifestyle needs, site-specific elements, and aesthetic tastes.
4) Truax Construction
4478 Laurie Michelle, San Antonio, TX 78261
Where they work: San Antonio area
Founded in 1987, San Antonio’s Truax Construction is a trusted, high-end custom home builder that has a long history in the area and a loyal base of discerning clients. Owned and operated by Jeff Truax, the residential construction company offers new construction and remodeling services, as well as many other smaller residential services including painting, swimming pools, plumbing, and electrical work. They operate their own mill shop to offer clients custom built cabinets and furniture, as well as doors and windows that are ensured to be of unmatched quality. For over 30 years, the company has worked on projects of all scale and styles and been recognized with numerous honors for their outstanding construction work, including EHDA Merit Awards and numerous LEED-Platinum homes. Their excellent service and quality work have resulted in numerous collaborations with some of the area’s best design practices and architect firms, including Mark Ashby Design, Lake/Flato Architects, Tobin Smith Architect, and John Grable Architect.
3) Dalgleish Construction
4019 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759
Where they work: Central Texas
Dalgleish Construction is an Austin-based general contracting firm that has rightfully earned a reputation for their stunning residential projects, ranging from ranch development to waterfront estates. Built with the best construction techniques, strongest and most beautiful materials, and a meticulous attention to detail, Dalgleish Construction’s homes have been widely featured in the top publications, including Architectural Digest, Luxe, ID BOSTON, Home by Design, Metropolitan Home, Residential Architect, Southern Living, Western Interiors, Traditional Home, Texas Architect, Tribeza, Austin Home, Professional Builder, Builder Magazine, Custom Home, and Traditional Home. The company has worked with many of the area’s best architects, including Mark Ashby Design, Miró Rivera Architects, Dick Clark Architecture, Furman & Keil Architects, and Paul Lamb Architects.
Dalgleish Construction brands itself as an architectural home builder specializing in high-end residential construction and remodeling. In its over 32 years of business, the company has built a loyal client base and strong connections to the areas top artisans and subcontractors. They have a reputation for old world craftsmanship that is applied to everything from modern new homes to unique residential additions. From the initial planning stages to final touches, Dalgleish offers a level of quality and detail that is seldom seen in the residential home building industry. In addition to their wealth of experience in new home construction, Dalgleish Construction Company is committed to sustainable design and environmentally friendly architecture.
2) Crowell Builders
5524 Bee Cave Rd # J1, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
Where they work: Texas
Austin-area Crowell Builders is one of the most respected and sought-after custom home builders in Texas. The award-winning company has worked on luxurious and architecturally impressive homes that incorporate the highest-quality materials and a strict attention to detail with trusted building techniques and new technology. Run by Don Crowell, the construction company has worked with countless of the area’s best architect, including Mark Ashby Design, Alterstudio, Miró Rivera Architects, Lake Flato, Paul Lamb, Dick Clark Architecture, Furman + Keil Architects, and Mell Lawrence Architects. Their work has received many awards, including from AIA Austin, the Texas Society of Architects, and Residential Architect. Crowell Builders’ work has been featured in Luxe, Modern Luxury Interiors, Texas Architect, Architectural Digest, Veranda, AIA Austin, Southern Living, Dream Homes, Metropolitan Home, Custom Home, Houses, Tribeza, and Austin Magazine.
Crowell Builders specializes in new construction, renovations, historical renovations, high-rise condos, and landscape hardscapes. The company brings together a team of strong, talented staff, builders, and artisans that manage all facets of construction to encourage collaboration, creativity, and the highest-quality work. All members of the Crowell team are united around a common goal: “to create fine homes with careful attention to the details that inspire the whole project.” Employees come from diverse backgrounds of art history, trim carpenters, restorers, social workers, accountants, travelers, and everything in between. This diverse group is known for their unique problem solving and offering clients a comprehensive and comfortable custom home project experience.
1) Escobedo Construction
199 Distribution Cove, Buda, TX 78610
Where they work: Central Texas, and beyond
Escobedo Construction has been building some of the world’s most luxurious homes for over 30 years. The award-winning custom home construction company, led by David Escobedo, successfully merges old-world craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. This approach has resulted in numerous national recognitions, including a Custom Home pacesetter award for David Escobedo, who was also named by Poder 360 as a Top 100 Latino Entrepreneur and received an Artisan Award from the Texas Society of Architects. Other awards include from DETAIL Magazine and Building Stone Magazine. The company’s work has been featured in LUXE, Deezen, Austin Business Journal, Architectural Record, Houston Chronicle, Inhabitat, Architect Magazine, and The Guardian.
Escobedo Construction has worked on many of Texas’s most magnificent structures. But regardless of the project type or scale, they pay the highest level of attention to the perfect execution of each subtle architectural detail and provide an apparent quality and value that remains unparalleled in the residential built environment. The company is lauded for its innovative panelized residential construction process and also has stone, steel, millwork, and concrete divisions to offer the highest quality and most comprehensive services to their clients. They employ all of their own designers, fabricators, and artisans. All facets are integral in the execution of some of the finest and most sophisticated projects in the region.
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 hiring a general contractor for your project, we recommend checking each contractor’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.
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 doing a construction project, 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.
