How To Choose A Home Builder In Or Near Houston

When you’re finally ready to build your dream home, choosing the right builder is a big step. That's why it's important to consider your choices carefully before making a decision.

Like other parts of Texas, the Houston area has many great builders to pick from. Working with the right one can help turn your dream home vision into a real home. They’ll help you build a home that fits your budget and lives up to your lifestyle and home values.

You can find builders specializing in different areas, such as homes you can move into right away or custom homes that are planned from scratch just for you. But it's important to make sure your builders have the skills, materials, and people to make it happen.

Here's everything you need to know when searching for a new home builder near you.

Understanding Different Types Of Home Builders

There are mainly two types of home builders: spec builders and custom builders. You can learn about the differences between spec homes, custom homes, and which is right for you in this guide to choosing the right home type.

Spec builders construct quick move-in homes that are ready to sell. They're often built before the buyer is involved in the process.

Typically located in developed communities, spec homes can come in a range of predetermined designs that allow for quick move-in.

This is ideal if you want a new home without waiting too long or getting too deep into the planning process.

Custom builders build a home that is unique to your vision and requirements.

How much you can customize the home design may vary from builder to builder.

Some will offer a variety of pre-selected and pre-designed floor plans for you to choose from. Others will design a totally new floor plan from scratch.

But the real beauty of working with a custom home builder is that you can customize everything from the building materials to the interior and exterior finishes.

If you design a floor plan from scratch, there's always a chance that it won't be as functional as you imagined – it's possible that a design looks great on paper, but doesn't turn out as great as it was planned.

If you choose a pre-designed floor plan that's been tried and tested in different homes over the years, you’re more likely to achieve a totally custom feel while avoiding the possibility of unforeseen design issues.

That’s why we use floor plans we’ve tested on multiple homes and make minor modifications to fit your dream designs. Click here to see the floor plans we recommend.

How To Find The Best Home Builders Near You, Step By Step

Once you know what to look for and how to determine if a builder provides quality services, it's time to start your search. To make it simple, we've broken the process down into three easy steps below.

Step 1: Start Your Search For A Home Builder

Start with a simple Google search for "new home builder near me" and look at the map to find local options.

Websites, builder forums, and online reviews also provide tons of information about each builder's reputation and the types of homes they construct.

If they have online photo galleries, take a look. Exploring their model homes can give you a sense of the builder's style and quality.

It's also a quick way to narrow down your choices to the builders who specialize in the type of construction you're interested in. If you don't see examples of a particular style in their portfolio, and it isn't mentioned anywhere on their website, remove them from your list of possible builders.

Step 2: Narrow Down The Options Based On Local Insights

Choosing a local builder offers its own set of advantages, especially when it comes to understanding the construction landscapes and rules in larger cities like Houston and Austin.

Local builders have a deeper understanding of the area’s existing zoning laws, building codes, and land use regulations. For example, Austin has zoning laws while Houston doesn't. Builders who focus on serving the Houston area will have an easier time navigating construction regulations than builders who spend most of their time working in Austin.

Working with a local builder also makes it easier to leverage their knowledge and relationships, which may also lead to reduced costs and a faster building process.

Plus they're easier to meet with, and they're able to perform on-site visits to make sure everything is in order before you begin construction.

Step 3: Interview Your Area's Top Local Builders

When you sit down for a conversation with any potential builders, cover these areas to be sure they align with your expectations. Here are some questions to ask:

Experience and Past Projects: How long have you been building homes? Can you provide examples of recent projects?
References and Testimonials: Can you put me in touch with any of your past clients?
Building Process: What is your process from start to finish? How do you handle changes or challenges during the building phase?
Cost and Payment: What is the estimated cost for a project like mine? What are your payment terms?
Timeline: What is the typical timeline for a project like mine? How do you make sure deadlines are met?
Warranty and Service: What warranties do you offer? How do you handle issues that arise after construction?

Hearing the builder’s responses to these questions can give you an idea about their level of professionalism, their reliability, and the quality of their customer service. If you don't like their answers, cross them off the list of choices and move on.

View from the backyard of a new custom home built by Dunn & Stone

What To Consider Before You Choose A Home Builder

Choosing a home builder can feel overwhelming. But by asking yourself a few simple questions you can determine which is best suited to build your family's new home.

Use these strategies to get a feel for each builder's process and style before you decide who to work with.

How Can You Evaluate The Reputation Of Home Builders?

It's impossible to understate the importance of client feedback and reviews. This is where you'll find insights into the experiences of previous homeowners that make it easy to identify trends when it comes to service quality.

When you’re ready to build your dream home, start by checking any prospective builder's reputation against other home builders in the Greater Houston area (or wherever you plan to build) by comparing their reviews.

Sites like Houzz host tons of reviews and are a great resource for finding information about local builders. Find a few different review sites and look for patterns in feedback that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each builder.

A builder who often sees high praise for quality and client satisfaction is probably able to bring your dream home to life without adding unnecessary stress to your daily routine.

A screenshot of Dunn & Stone’s review page on Houzz.com

How Do You Evaluate The Portfolio Of Your Home Builders?

Design portfolios help you understand two important factors: your builder's capability and their style. SWhether looking at new homes for sale or thinking about beginning a custom home project, seeing a builder’s past work gives you a clear picture of what they can create.

If you want a specific style or high-quality interiors, then you should make sure the builders have a proven track record in those areas.

Visit their websites and browse their photo galleries to see if they have built homes that align with the new home designs you're most interested in.

How Can You Tell If Home Builders Have Good Communication And Customer Service?

Effective communication is fundamental if you want the home-building process to go smoothly. You shouldn't seriously consider hiring a builder before meeting them and getting a sense of their communication style, even if they've got tons of rave reviews and you feel you've performed your due diligence.

The best builders allow you to voice your opinions and concerns, and they keep you informed on the status of your construction project every step of the way.

This is a great place to return to the reviews and read them again while looking for negative patterns. Do you see complaints about missed details, late completion timelines, and poor warranty service?

If these are things that past customers mention often, think of them as red flags.

If tons of customers are complaining about terrible service, bad or broken materials, and shoddy warranty work, that's a sign that a builder may not work as professionally as they present themselves.

If you're on the fence after reading reviews, request more information directly from the builder. Then, keep track of how long it takes them to respond.

If you submit a request for more info and a builder is taking weeks to respond or beating around the bush without really answering your questions, it's a good idea to remove them from your list of options.

A great builder will be in touch at a maximum of a few days after you've reached out. They'll provide transparency and answer any questions accurately.

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The owner of a newly constructed home shakes hands with the builder

How Do You Compare Value Between Different Home Builders?

Ask for a breakdown of their costs for various phases of the building process.

Then, compare what different builders offer at similar price points to determine who provides the best value for your investment.

Reputable builders will provide thorough responses that help you see where your money goes, and they'll tell you about any possible surprises that might affect the final price or construction timelines.

If you've compared multiple builders and found glaring discrepancies in just one or two of them, those builders may be worth removing from your list of options.

Compare Bids And Choose Your Home Builder

Once you've narrowed your list down to just two or three options, it’s time to request and compare bids.

Start by checking that each bid comes with a detailed breakdown that describes costs, timelines, and materials.

You're looking for transparency and completeness in each proposal so that you have a clear idea of how your money is going to be used.

Here's what to think about when considering and comparing bids:

Costs and Inclusions: Are the costs in line with current market rates? Does the bid cover all aspects of the building process from site preparation to final finishes?
Quality of Materials: Does the proposal say the types of materials and which brands will be used?
Timeline: How does the proposed timeline compare to other builders?
Experience and Past Work: Does the builder have a history of delivering beautiful new homes that meet their clients' expectations?

Choosing the right home builder is one of the most significant decisions in the journey to creating your dream home. That's why taking the time to carefully evaluate each builder’s credentials, portfolio, and proposals is so important. It helps make sure that your final choice can build you a beautiful home that fulfills your vision and expectations.

Contact various builders, visit their past projects, and ask as many questions as necessary to feel confident in your decision.

As you begin the process of building your new home, use the strategies and steps above to explore all possibilities. Look for builders who are committed to building homes that add value to your lifestyle, and weed out the ones who are simply trying to sell another house.

If you're looking for builders in the Houston area but are unsure of where to start or who to trust, schedule a call with Dunn & Stone today. With over 30 years of new construction experience, we're ready to answer all of your questions and help you bring your dream home to life.

We recommend you get at least two bids (and make sure ours is one of them).

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Our Top Pick: Liberty Home Guard

If you're looking for the best home warranty company in Texas, Liberty Home Guard stands out as the top choice in 2025.

It’s not the cheapest option on the list, but it consistently ranks as one of the top home warranty providers thanks to its strong home warranty coverage, fast service, and unmatched flexibility.

Liberty’s plans are designed for real life in Texas, where dual air conditioning systems, major home systems, and high summer temps are the norm.

It’s one of the few home warranty companies that includes coverage for two electric AC units in its standard plan.

What also sets Liberty apart is its level of customization.

With over 30 add-on coverage options, homeowners can build a plan that fits their property perfectly, whether they need coverage for a septic system, a swimming pool, or extra laundry appliances.

This kind of flexibility is rare among other home warranty companies.

It’s not just the coverage options that impress, though.

Liberty earns high marks from home warranty customers for its responsiveness and customer service.

You can manage your home warranty contract through their mobile app, which many Texas homeowners love for the convenience when filing a claim or tracking repairs.

Visit Liberty Home Guard's website to view plan details or explore Liberty Home Guard’s plans directly.

Quick Facts: Liberty Home Guard

Runner Up: American Home Shield

Coming in close behind Liberty, American Home Shield ranks as one of the best home warranty providers in Texas for 2025.

With over 50 years of experience and broad home warranty coverage that includes preexisting conditions, this provider has built a strong reputation among homeowners with older homes, aging heating systems, and major appliances.

In a 2025 This Old House survey, 44% of Texas homeowners selected American Home Shield as their current provider, making it one of the most widely used Texas home warranty companies.

Our favorite features is the $5,000 HVAC coverage cap per system, which is ideal for the Texas climate. The reason we love it is because A/C repairs are some of the most common (and expensive) home service calls made in the Houston area.

Quick Facts: American Home Shield

Other Great Home Warranty Companies In Texas

While Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield earned our top spots, they’re not the only Texas home warranty companies worth your attention.

Several other home warranty providers offer solid coverage, competitive pricing, and reliable service.

If you're looking for alternatives that still deliver great value and protection for your covered home systems, the options below are absolutely still worth considering.

First American Home Warranty

While it’s a bit pricier than some affordable plans (with monthly premiums starting at $42), First American Home Warranty makes up for it with higher coverage limits and solid protection for both major appliances and covered systems.

This is especially appealing to owners of high-end homes in Houston.

Some plans offer up to $7,000 in appliance coverage and unlimited HVAC system coverage, which is what makes this company a strong contender for anyone who wants broad, comprehensive coverage (as long as you’re willing to pay a little more for it).

One standout feature is the First American Advantage upgrade, which adds protection for poor installation issues not always covered under standard home warranty plans.

Quick Facts: First American Home Warranty

Cinch Home Services is a strong option for Texas homeowners looking for affordable plans with practical extras.

With monthly premiums starting at just $35, Cinch is one of the most budget-friendly providers on this list.

But don’t let the price fool you. It packs in value that rivals bigger names.

One standout feature is its $500 homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement, included with its Complete Home Plan.

That alone sets it apart from most home warranty coverage options.

It also covers damage from rust and corrosion, which many home warranty companies exclude despite its usefulness in humid areas like Houston.

Cinch also offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee, six times longer than the industry norm That’s one of the best repair guarantees in today’s market.

Quick Facts: Cinch Home Services

Old Republic Home Protection

Old Republic Home Protection keeps things simple. And that’s exactly why many Texans love it.

If you’re the kind of homeowner who wants a no-fuss plan that covers the essentials, this provider might be your best bet.

Their home warranty plans focus squarely on major systems and important appliances (the things that typically break and cost the most to fix).

Customization is limited, but the tradeoff is a more straightforward service agreement and lower out-of-pocket costs.

With monthly premiums starting at $45 and service fees around $100, Old Republic offers better-than-average value.

Quick Facts: Old Republic Home Protection

HomeServe offers a different take on home warranty coverage in Texas, and it works well for homeowners who want low service fees and highly targeted protection.

Instead of bundling everything into one plan, HomeServe allows you to pick and choose the covered systems you care about most, like plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.

To sweeten the deal, several of their plans have no service fees at all.

That’s a massive advantage if you’re looking to reduce out-of-pocket costs on normal wear repairs.

But because each system is covered under a separate plan, achieving full comprehensive coverage can get pricey.

You may need to purchase multiple plans to match the kind of protection you’d get from bundled providers like Liberty or options found on American Home Shield’s website.

Quick Facts: HomeServe

Choice Home Warranty

With one of the most affordable home warranty plans in Texas, Choice Home Warranty offers monthly premiums starting at $35 and a predictable, fixed $85 service fee.

It’s a budget-friendly option for homeowners who want wide home warranty coverage without a complicated pricing model.

Choice’s plans cover both HVAC systems and major appliances, and they include extras that other low-cost providers skip like limited roof leak coverage.

It’s a strong fit for value-seekers who still want protection for high-cost repairs.

However, Choice’s reputation comes with a caveat.

Despite its large customer base (49,000+ reviews on Trustpilot), it has received criticism for poor customer service and claim denials more frequently than top competitors.

Quick Facts: Choice Home Warranty

Home Warranty of America

Home Warranty of America (HWA) offers plans designed for both homeowners and real estate professionals, which makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of Texans.

Known for its transparent pricing and solid HVAC coverage, HWA is a wise pick for those living in hotter climates like Houston where AC systems get put to the test.

Plans start at $46/month, and coverage includes major appliances and systems, with HVAC protection capped at $5,000.

While the base pricing is competitive, be aware that add-on options can increase costs quickly, especially if you’re customizing coverage for a high-end or custom-built home.

Quick Facts: Home Warranty of America

How We Picked The Top Home Warranty Companies Of 2025

Companies with the best home warranties in Texas respond quickly, partner with licensed local contractors, and actually follow through on their repair guarantees.

Here’s the criteria we used to build our list of the top home warranty companies in 2025. The companies on the list needed to meet at least 4 of 5 of these requirements in order to make the list.

Must cover critical systems and appliances

Texas homeowners face unique challenges due to the climate. Houston’s heat and humidity put a serious strain on air conditioning systems, plumbing, and electrical systems, which means warranties that skip these aren’t worth your time.

In fact, in a recent 2025 survey by Texas Homeowner Trends, 63% of respondents ranked air conditioning coverage as their top priority when choosing a home warranty in Texas.

Builders also care. They want home warranty companies that cover the systems and appliances they install to avoid post-sale arguments over repairs.

Must be priced for Texas homeowners

We only selected companies whose plans fall within the average home warranty cost range for Texas in 2025. That’s between $52 and $80 per month.

This range reflects pricing for the Houston area, which is one of the state’s most active homebuilding markets.

Plans that are too cheap often have low coverage limits. Plans that are too expensive may not offer enough value for what they charge.

Must have strong online reviews

We only considered companies with an average customer satisfaction rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars across sites like Trustpilot.

High scores show how the company handles real-world problems and home warranty service issues effectively.

Must offer fast, reliable service within a maximum of 48 hours

Texas homes can’t afford to wait for repair when the AC unit breaks down in the middle of summer.

Every company on our list offers quick service calls, a strong contractor network, and local availability for licensed repairs.

The Bottom Line

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to home warranty coverage in Texas, and that’s exactly why we created this guide.

From dual AC unit coverage to low service fees and comprehensive plans with high coverage limits, each of the companies we reviewed brings something different to the table.

Here’s the short version:

Liberty Home Guard is our top pick for its flexibility, customer satisfaction, and coverage designed for Texas heat.
American Home Shield stands out for high HVAC caps and coverage for older homes with no maintenance records required.
And for those on a tighter budget or looking for niche protections, companies like Cinch, HomeServe, and First American still offer reliable service — even if they don’t hit every mark.

So which warranty fits your situation best?

Best For First-Time Homeowners: American Home Shield

First-time buyers often don’t know what could go wrong.

AHS offers peace of mind with broad coverage, no maintenance history requirements, and helpful tech features like 24/7 service requests and live video chat support.

Best For Budget-Conscious Homeowners: Cinch Home Services

Starting at just $35/month, Cinch offers solid protection with extras like rust coverage and a $500 homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement.

It’s a budget-friendly pick that still comes with a 180-day workmanship guarantee, which is one of the best in the business.

Best For Homeowners Who Want Total Coverage: Liberty Home Guard

With over 30 optional add-ons, dual AC unit coverage in the base plan, and a strong contractor network, Liberty is built for homeowners who want it all.

It’s the best choice for anyone building a custom home or looking to cover systems that most providers skip.

If you’re building a new home in the Houston area, choosing the right home warranty company is only part of the equation. You also need a builder who cares about long-term quality, not just closing day.

At Dunn & Stone Builders, we partner with trusted home warranty providers and build every home with longevity in mind.

Contact us today to talk about how we can help you bring your dream home vision to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Home Warranty Company In Texas?

The best home warranty company in Texas is Liberty Home Guard. It offers fast service, strong customer satisfaction, and plans tailored to Texas homes, including dual AC coverage.

Which Home Warranty Providers Have The Highest Customer Satisfaction?

Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield lead in customer satisfaction, with 4.5-star or higher ratings on review sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.

What Does Home Warranty Coverage Typically Include?

Home warranty coverage usually includes major systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, plus key appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washers.

Are All Home Warranty Plans Available In Texas?

No, not all home warranty plans are available in Texas. Only licensed Texas home warranty companies can offer coverage in the state.

Which Home Warranty Companies Offer The Best Repair Guarantee?

Cinch Home Services offers the best repair guarantee, with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that’s six times longer than the industry standard.

How Do I Choose Between Different Home Warranty Providers?

Look for providers with fast service times, high customer satisfaction, competitive pricing, and strong coverage for systems common in Texas homes.

What Should I Look For In Home Warranty Plans For Texas?

Look for home warranty plans that include HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, offer reasonable monthly rates, and have a solid contractor network for quick repairs.