State Has Third of Top Builders

Of the top 100 home builders in the United States in 1988, 32 are based in California, more than any other state, according to Professional Builder magazine.

Texas, with 14 on the list, ranked second, while Florida was third, with 10. No other state is home to more than five of the most active builders, according to James Carper, the magazine’s managing editor.

Privately held Trammell Crow Residential Cos., Dallas, was the most active builder last year, with 12,932 starts. Ryland Group Inc., Columbia, Md., in second place, with 9,795 starts, was the most active publicly held firm.

Lewis Homes, Upland, was the most active California-based builder, ranking 12th last year, with 4,731 starts; William Lyon Co., Newport Beach, 13th, with 4,581; A.G. Spanos Construction Inc., Stockton, 17th, with 3,569; the Anden Group, Sherman Oaks, 18th, with 3,443; Kaufman & Broad Home Corp., Los Angeles, 20th, with 3,400; Robertson Homes, Stockton, 22nd, with 3,070 and Citation Builders, Tustin, 25th, with 2,900 starts.