Tom Burgess never set out to build a life in the Florida Keys. Born in Canada, Tom had been around building from a young age and says he had been building homes since he was eighteen. After college, his career took a different turn, eventually leading him to own an advertising agency. Then a friend called with a simple question: "You wanna go lobster?" Tom headed south. He crossed the bridges into the Florida Keys for the first time, saw the water and the islands, and knew almost immediately that something had changed. He called his wife and told her, "We're buying a place." That trip became the beginning of a life in the Keys — and eventually, Dream Builders of the Florida Keys.
Canada → Florida Keys
Once Tom found the Florida Keys, he didn't simply buy a place here. He became part of the life here. Building had always been part of his background, and over the years that experience evolved into a construction business shaped specifically by the challenges of building on these islands. He built frame homes in the earlier years and watched construction in the Keys evolve. Materials changed. Codes changed. Storm requirements changed. Concrete construction became increasingly important. But one thing never changed: Tom's belief that the builder should personally stand behind the job.
Tom Jr. took a very different road before joining Dream Builders. With a background in law, his career was built around solving complicated problems, managing details and advocating for clients. Eventually, he realized that the family business offered something very different. As an attorney, people usually call because something has gone wrong. Building someone's Florida Keys home is different. They're excited. They're imagining family, boating, weekends on the water and the life they worked for. Today, Tom Jr. is full time with Dream Builders, bringing his legal background, organization and attention to detail into the company his father spent decades building.
First Generation → Second Generation
Decades of hands-on construction experience, Florida Keys knowledge and relationships built over a lifetime of working on these islands.
A legal and business background combined with construction experience, project oversight and a commitment to carrying the Dream Builders name forward.
Different generations. Different backgrounds. The same expectation: if our name is on it, we stand behind it.
Clients shouldn't have to wonder what's happening with their home. Communication is part of the job.
Construction is complicated. When something needs attention, Dream Builders deals with it instead of pointing fingers.
The Florida Keys are unforgiving. Materials, trades, engineering and craftsmanship matter here — and shortcuts eventually show themselves.
For Tom Sr., the Florida Keys began with a lobster trip and became home. Decades later, the company he built is becoming a second-generation family business. Dream Builders understands why people work so hard to build a home here — because we understand what makes this place worth coming home to.
Dream Builders of the Florida Keys — Built here. Still here. Building what comes next.