Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes is the best custom home builder in Austin, inducted into the Austin Builder Hall of Fame and a 6-time Custom Home Builders of the Year winner. Jenkins Design Build is #2 with 130+ awards, and LTB Design + Build is #3 with 4 Custom Builder of the Year titles.
Says it builds more homes than any other custom home builder in Austin
Build-on-your-lot buyers who want a high-volume builder
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes
Best architect-led
Jenkins Design Build
Best boutique client load
LTB Design + Build
Best newest MAX winner
Southerly Homes
Best for central Austin lots
Mosier Luxury Homes
The ranking
1
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes
Answrs VerdictThe most decorated custom builder on the list.
Track record: Inducted into the Austin Builder Hall of Fame; 6-time Custom Home Builders of the YearAwards: 2-time National Master Builder of the Year and 3-time Austin Business Journal Custom Builder of the YearExperience: More than 50 years of combined experienceOffices: 2220 Lakeway Blvd, Suite #100, Lakeway, TX 78734, plus a Horseshoe Bay officeService area: Westlake, Lake Travis, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay, Lake LBJ and the Texas Hill CountryPrice: Not published
Zbranek & Holt was inducted into the Austin Builder Hall of Fame and has won Custom Home Builders of the Year 6 times, plus 2-time National Master Builder of the Year and 3-time Austin Business Journal Custom Builder of the Year. It has more than 50 years of combined experience and offices in Lakeway and Horseshoe Bay.
Go ifLake Travis and Hill Country luxury design-build homes
Skip ifYou want a small, low-profile builder
Why #1 over #2: Its 6 Custom Home Builders of the Year titles are the most any builder here states, ahead of Jenkins Design Build.
2
Jenkins Design Build
Answrs VerdictThe deepest award record and an in-house architecture studio.
Track record: 130+ design and building awards, including 4-time Texas Custom Builder of the YearExperience: 30+ years in Austin and the Hill Country, architect-led and family-ownedRecognition: Austin Business Journal Custom Builder of the Year in 2023; 2 Best in American Living AwardsModel: Architect, interior designer and builder under one roofOffice: 3813 Juniper Trace #100, Austin, TX 78738Price: Not published
Jenkins Design Build is a family-owned, architect-led firm with 30+ years in Austin and the Hill Country and 130+ design and building awards. It was Austin Business Journal Custom Builder of the Year in 2023 and a 4-time Texas Custom Builder of the Year.
Go ifArchitect-led design-build on Lake Austin, Lake Travis or Hill Country acreage
Skip ifYou already have an architect and want a build-only contractor
Why #2 over #3: Its in-house architecture and interiors studio goes beyond what LTB Design + Build lists.
3
LTB Design + Build
Answrs VerdictThe boutique pick, with a stated cap on yearly clients.
Track record: Awarded Custom Builder of the Year 4 times since 2009Founded: In 2009 as Lake Travis Builders; rebranded LTB Design + Build for 2023Focus: Custom homes over $1 million, working with about 12 customers each yearOffices: 2806 Flintrock Trace, Suite A203, Austin, TX 78738, and Johnson City, TXPrice: Not published
LTB Design + Build began in 2009 as Lake Travis Builders and says it has been named Custom Builder of the Year 4 times. It focuses on custom homes over $1 million and works with about 12 customers each year.
Go ifBuyers who want a builder that limits its client load
Skip ifYou are building below the $1 million range
Why #3 over #4: Its stated cap on yearly clients gives a more boutique experience than Southerly Homes.
4
Southerly Homes
Answrs VerdictThe newest top-tier MAX winner.
Track record: Grand MAX Award, Custom Builder of the Year 2025Awards: 5 MAX Awards in 2025, including Best Custom Home Project 3000-4000 SF for The CedarviewExperience: Over 145 years of collective expertise across the founding teamService area: Austin and surrounding areas including Bastrop, Buda, Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, Lake Way, Round Rock, Briarcliff and RollingwoodServices: Design, build and realty under one roofPrice: Not published
Southerly Homes won the Grand MAX Award for Custom Builder of the Year 2025 and 5 MAX Awards in all, including Best Custom Home Project 3000-4000 SF for The Cedarview. It offers design, build and realty services.
Go ifCentral Austin infill and Hill Country lots with help finding land
Skip ifYou want a firm that has operated for decades
Why #4 over #5: Its Grand MAX win is more recent than J. Angelo Design Build’s MAX Award.
Track record: MAX Award for Custom Builder of the Year from the Home Builders Association of Greater AustinRecognition: First place in the Custom Home / Project Design category from the Home Builders Association of Greater AustinFounder: John Angelo Meyer brings over 30 years of experience in development and constructionServices: Custom homes, whole home remodels and additionsOffice: 1101 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg K, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78746Price: Not published
J. Angelo Design Build received the MAX Award for Custom Builder of the Year and first place in Custom Home / Project Design from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin. Founder John Angelo Meyer has over 30 years in development and construction.
Go ifLarge custom homes and whole-home remodels in West Austin
Skip ifYou have a small project
Why #5 over #6: Its remodel and addition services widen the offer compared with Silverton Custom Homes.
6
Silverton Custom Homes
Answrs VerdictThe highest build count on the list.
Track record: Over 600 custom homes built across Lake Travis and the Texas Hill CountryFounded: 1993, by Mike Grimm; second-generation family company since 2005Recognition: Greater Austin Home Builders Association MAX Awards, Southern Living Builder of the Year and Parade of Homes Best of ShowNetwork: Member of the Southern Living Custom Builder ProgramOffice: 18592 Ranch Rd 1431, Jonestown, TX 78645Price: Not published
Silverton Custom Homes has built over 600 custom homes across Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country since Mike Grimm founded it in 1993. It is a member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program and has won MAX Awards and a Southern Living Builder of the Year honor.
Go ifLake Travis buyers who want a family-owned firm with a deep track record
Skip ifYou want a boutique, few-projects-a-year builder
Why #6 over #7: Its build count beats Seven Custom Homes for Lake Travis experience.
Track record: Over $500 million built since 2007Experience: 100+ Central Texas homes and 37+ Port Aransas homesWarranty: One year on workmanship and materials, two on systems and ten on the structure, in writingContract: Fixed-price contracts with weekly progress updatesOffice: 312 Medical Parkway, Bldg B, Austin, TX 78738Price: Not published
Seven Custom Homes has built over $500 million of homes since 2007, with 100+ Central Texas homes and 37+ in Port Aransas. It uses fixed-price contracts, weekly updates and a written warranty.
Go ifOwners who also want a second home on the Texas coast
Skip ifYou want a design-first studio
Why #7 over #8: Its written warranty and fixed-price contracts are more explicit than Laurel Haven Homes’.
8
Laurel Haven Homes
Answrs VerdictThe concierge-guided builder.
Track record: Silver MAX Award winner in 2018Founded: 2000Credential: Certified by the NAHB as a Graduate Master BuilderCommunity: Preferred Builder for Travis Club AustinOffice: 5348 Pedernales Summit Parkway, Austin, TX 78738Price: Not published
Laurel Haven Homes was founded in 2000, won a Silver MAX Award in 2018 and is a NAHB Graduate Master Builder. It is a Preferred Builder for Travis Club Austin.
Go ifBuyers who want a concierge approach on Lake Travis
Skip ifYou want a recent-year award record
Why #8 over #9: Its awards record is longer than Mosier Luxury Homes’ published list.
Track record: Named an Austin Home Best Builder in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025Recognition: Austin Business Journal Family-Owned Business finalist in 2024Focus: Custom homes designed around the lot in established Austin neighborhoods such as Tarrytown, Northwest Hills and West Lake HillsOffice: 1613-A W. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78703Price: Not published
Mosier Luxury Homes is a family-led firm on W. 6th Street that designs homes around the lot in neighborhoods such as Tarrytown and West Lake Hills. It was named an Austin Home Best Builder in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Go ifCentral Austin lots with trees, views or tricky shapes
Skip ifYou want to build on Lake Travis acreage
Why #9 over #10: Its lot-first approach in central Austin is tighter than Nalle Custom Homes’ general service.
10
Nalle Custom Homes
Answrs VerdictThe high-volume, fixed-price family firm.
Track record: Says it builds more homes than any other custom home builder in AustinFounders: Four brothers: Owen, Tilghman, Jesse and Lee NalleModel: Fixed-price design-build, or build from your own architect’s plansOffice: 1000 Mopac Circle, Austin, TX 78746Price: Not published
Nalle Custom Homes was started by four brothers, Owen, Tilghman, Jesse and Lee Nalle, and says it builds more homes than any other custom builder in Austin. It does fixed-price design-build or builds from your own architect’s plans.
Go ifBuild-on-your-lot buyers who want a high-volume builder
Skip ifYou want a published award record
How we ranked these
We ranked each builder on the industry recognition it publishes (Custom Builder of the Year and MAX Awards) first, then on track record and service area, using each builder’s own website. Award claims are the builders’ own. None of the ten publishes a price. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Who is the best custom home builder in Austin?
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes, inducted into the Austin Builder Hall of Fame and a 6-time Custom Home Builders of the Year winner.
Which Austin custom builder won the latest Grand MAX Award?
Southerly Homes says it won the Grand MAX Award for Custom Builder of the Year 2025 from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin.
Which Austin builders work on Lake Travis?
Zbranek & Holt, Jenkins Design Build, Silverton Custom Homes and Laurel Haven Homes all list Lake Travis among the areas they build in.
Do these builders publish their prices?
No. None of the ten publishes a price. LTB Design + Build says it focuses on custom homes over $1 million.
Custom Builder of the Year titles each builder states (various awarding bodies) at a glance
Southerly Homes1 titles
J. Angelo Design Build1 titles
LTB Design + Build4 titles
Jenkins Design Build4 titles
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes6 titles
Custom Builder of the Year titles each builder states (various awarding bodies), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
