New construction is booming in Taylor, Texas. With Samsung's semiconductor campus driving job growth and families discovering Taylor's combination of affordability and character, builders are actively developing communities to meet demand. If you're considering a brand-new home in the Taylor area, here's what you need to know about your options, the process, and how to protect your interests.
Why New Construction in Taylor?
Taylor's new construction market offers something increasingly rare in Central Texas: modern homes at attainable prices. While new builds in Round Rock and Georgetown routinely start above $350,000-$400,000, Taylor's new communities offer comparable homes starting in the low $200s.
The quality of the builders matters too. National builders like D.R. Horton, Centex, and DRB Homes have invested in Taylor — bringing economies of scale, warranty programs, and model homes you can tour before committing. These aren't speculative developments — they're established builders responding to real demand driven by Samsung and the broader growth of eastern Williamson County.
Active Communities: Your Options
Here's a look at the major new construction communities currently building in Taylor:
Grove at Bull Creek
Builder: D.R. Horton and Centex (both under the D.R. Horton family of brands)
Price range: Starting in the low $200s to mid-$300s
Location: North Taylor, with trail system connecting to downtown
Lot count: 185 homesites planned
Grove at Bull Creek is Taylor's most established new construction community. The trail system is a standout feature — it connects residents to Bull Creek Park and provides a walking/biking path toward downtown Taylor. Floor plans range from compact three-bedrooms to spacious four- and five-bedroom layouts. The community is actively building with both move-in-ready homes and to-be-built options available.
D.R. Horton brings its Express Homes line (more affordable, streamlined finishes) alongside Centex's mid-range offerings, giving buyers options at multiple price points within the same community.
Spring Creek
Builder: DRB Homes
Price range: $240K to low $300s
Location: Near the Samsung facility in southwest Taylor
Features: Innovative 2-in-1 home designs, natural gas community
Spring Creek is DRB Homes' Taylor community and offers something unique: 2-in-1 floor plans that include a separate suite with its own entrance — ideal for multigenerational living, a home office, or rental income. This is a thoughtful design feature that addresses how families actually live today.
The community is a natural gas development, which many homeowners prefer for cooking and heating. Its location near the Samsung campus makes it particularly attractive for Samsung employees — expect a 5-minute commute. DRB Homes is a regional builder with a strong reputation for build quality and customer service.
What to Know Before You Buy New Construction
Buying a new home from a builder is different from buying a resale home. The process has unique advantages and pitfalls. Here's what I tell every buyer considering new construction:
Get Your Own Representation
This is the most important advice I can give you. When you walk into a builder's model home, the sales agent works for the builder — not for you. They're friendly, they're helpful, and they're very good at their job. But their job is to get the best deal for the builder.
Having your own buyer's agent costs you nothing extra in most cases — the builder has already budgeted for buyer agent compensation in their pricing. But the difference in representation is enormous. I negotiate builder contracts regularly and know where there's room on pricing, upgrades, lot premiums, and closing cost contributions.
One important note: register with your agent on your first visit to the model home. Many builders require your agent to be present at the initial visit to be recognized for the transaction. If you visit alone first, you may lose the ability to have representation.
Understanding Builder Pricing
Builder pricing can seem straightforward — base price plus upgrades — but there's more nuance than meets the eye.
Base price is the starting point for a specific floor plan on a specific lot. Not all lots are priced the same — corner lots, lots backing to green space, and lots with views typically carry a premium of $5,000-$15,000.
Upgrades and options are where builders make significant margin. That granite countertop upgrade, the extended patio, the premium flooring — each carries a markup. Some upgrades are worth doing through the builder because they're structural or warranty-related. Others are significantly cheaper to do after closing with your own contractor.
My general rule: do structural upgrades through the builder (electrical, plumbing, framing changes, garage additions) and cosmetic upgrades on your own after closing (backsplash, light fixtures, landscaping beyond the basic package).
Incentives vary by builder and by market conditions. Right now in Taylor, builders are offering various incentives — closing cost assistance, rate buydowns with preferred lenders, and upgrade packages. These incentives aren't always advertised and can change monthly. I stay current on what each builder is offering and negotiate from a position of knowledge.
The Construction Timeline
If you're buying a to-be-built home (not a move-in-ready spec), expect a build timeline of 4-8 months depending on the builder and the complexity of the home. Here's what that typically looks like:
Month 1: Contract signed, lot selected, design center appointment to choose finishes (countertops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures).
Months 2-3: Foundation poured, framing begins. This is when the home starts taking physical shape. I recommend visiting during framing to see the layout in real space.
Months 3-5: Mechanical rough-ins (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), insulation, drywall. The pre-drywall inspection is your critical window — once drywall goes up, the framing and mechanicals are hidden.
Months 5-7: Interior finishes — paint, flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures. Exterior work including siding, landscaping, and driveway.
Month 7-8: Final inspections, punch list walkthrough, closing.
Inspections: Don't Skip Them
Many new-construction buyers assume a new home doesn't need an inspection. This is a mistake. New homes can have defects — missed connections, improper grading, cosmetic damage, HVAC issues — that are much easier (and cheaper) to address before closing while the builder is still responsible.
I recommend two inspections for new construction: a pre-drywall inspection during the framing phase (to catch structural and mechanical issues while they're visible) and a final inspection before closing (comprehensive, just like a resale home inspection). Budget around $600-$800 total for both inspections. It's some of the best money you'll spend on your new home.
Warranties: What's Covered
New construction homes come with builder warranties, typically structured as:
Year 1: Full coverage — the builder is responsible for essentially everything that goes wrong, from cosmetic issues to mechanical problems. Report everything during this year.
Year 2: Mechanical systems coverage — HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are still covered. Cosmetic issues are generally no longer warranted.
Year 10: Structural warranty — covers major structural defects like foundation issues and load-bearing components.
Document everything. Take photos during construction. Keep all warranty paperwork. And do a thorough walkthrough at the 11-month mark before your Year 1 warranty expires — this is your last chance to get cosmetic and minor issues addressed at no cost.
New Construction vs Resale: Which Is Right for You?
New construction isn't always the better choice — it depends on your priorities.
Choose new construction if you want everything brand-new with modern energy efficiency, you prefer choosing your own finishes, you want a builder warranty, and you're comfortable with a potentially longer timeline. New builds in Taylor start in the low $200s and can offer outstanding value per square foot.
Choose resale if you want a specific established neighborhood, mature trees and landscaping, a shorter move-in timeline, or a home with character and architectural variety. Resale homes in Taylor's historic neighborhoods offer charm that new construction can't replicate.
Many of my buyers tour both new construction and resale homes before deciding. That's the approach I recommend — seeing both options firsthand helps clarify what matters most to you.
Ready to Tour New Construction in Taylor?
I visit the model homes and sales offices regularly, so I know exactly what's available, what's under construction, and what incentives are on the table. I can save you time, help you avoid common pitfalls, and make sure the builder's contract protects your interests.
Let's schedule a tour of Grove at Bull Creek, Spring Creek, or both. I'll drive, bring the coffee, and give you the honest rundown on each community.
