New Residential Construction
Custom concrete homes designed and built by the Summerland Builders team. Engineered for the Keys, intentional in every detail.
Since 2006Your Premier Custom Home Builder
Your Premier Custom Home Builder
in the Beautiful Upper Florida Keys
From Key Largo to Islamorada — 40+ years of architectural design and construction experience, with 20+ years as a Florida-certified General Contractor.
State Certified General Contractor CGC1509536
40+Years Designing & Building
2006FL GC Since
Upper Florida Keys
Our Summerland Builders Story
Building Dream Homes in the Beautiful Florida Keys Since 2006
Get To Know UsOur Focus
Architectural functionality, durable construction, and a commitment to building responsibly in a native, beautiful place.
Major Renovations
We perform extensive renovations that require structural expertise — second-story additions, gut-remodels, and full elevations.
Permits & Approvals
We navigate Monroe County's full permitting process for you — FEMA elevation, zoning, and code review.
On Green
Green features are available on request, never required, for clients who want them.
Solar Panels · Rainwater Cisterns · LED Throughout · ENERGY STAR Appliances · and more
Why Architectural Experience Matters
Knowledge and Design Advantage
Summerland Builders is led by Florida Certified General Contractor Mercedes Lozada — an architect who graduated from Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, and brings over 40 years of architectural design and construction experience — including 20+ years as a Florida-licensed General Contractor — to every build. We don't just follow the architect's plans; we review and improve them before construction starts.
01
704 Grouper Lane
Before
Balcony
After
A/C Living
Outdoor → Permitted Interior
Mercedes redesigned the layout to legally enclose a large balcony and use it as the entrance, giving a much better distribution to the spaces — converting outdoor space into permitted, air-conditioned living area, increasing the property's appraisal value because it increased the total enclosed A/C square footage. Which is what actually matters when you're going to sell.
Key Largo, FL
02
62 Andros Road
Before
299SF
After
0SF
Quadrupled Livable Space
Original plans limited the ground floor to 299 SF. Mercedes identified that raising the home by one and a half feet would clear flood zone requirements — This allowed them to enclose the entire downstairs, quadrupling the living space from 299 SF to over 1,200 SF.
Key Largo, FL
03
Fernandez Residence
Before
800SF
After
0SF
Permitted Before Code Change
Rosalina's enclosed downstairs was only 800 SF, with the rest a covered open space facing the pool. Mercedes warned the building department was about to raise flood elevation requirements to 10 feet — making a permit impossible afterward. They enclosed the rest with a wall of glass just before the code changed, jumping the enclosed space to 2,800 SF.
Florida Keys
Design-Build UnityMaximize Square Footage
If you want a contractor who truly looks out for your best interests, you need to hire Summerland Builders. My original enclosed downstairs was only about 800 sq ft, and the rest was just a covered open space facing the pool. Mercedes, who is both a dear friend of mine and a general contractor in Key Largo, gave me excellent advice that transformed my property in the ground floor. She knew the building department was about to change the flood elevation requirements to 10 feet, and warned me that once the new rules passed, I wouldn't be able to get a permit for the ground floor ever again.
Following her guidance, we enclosed the rest of the downstairs with a gorgeous wall of glass windows facing the pool. Thanks to her, my enclosed space jumped to 2,800 sq ft before the code changes took effect. The space is absolutely beautiful, and it massively increased the overall value of my home. I highly recommend Mercedes and her team to anyone looking to build or renovate!
Rosalina & Roberto Fernandez
Fernandez ResidenceHomes We've Built
Take a Drive By
Each pin is a home we've built. Hover to see the front of the house — click to open the full project.
704 Grouper Lane, Key Largo, FL 33037
Full remodel — canal-front home in Sunset Point.
62 South Andros Road, Key Largo, FL 33037
New custom home on a quiet Key Largo canal.
305 Jolly Roger Drive, Key Largo, FL 33037
New custom bay-front home in the Rock Harbor area.
700 Grouper Lane, Key Largo, FL 33037
Current Build — new ocean-front home in Sunset Point.
29 Abaco Road, Key Largo, FL 33037
New custom home in Garden Cove, north Key Largo.
107 Blue Harbor Drive, Tavernier, FL 33070
New custom home on a quiet Tavernier canal.
Atención en Español
¿Construyendo en Key Largo, Tavernier o Islamorada? Mercedes Lozada le guiará paso a paso en su idioma, con claridad y confianza en cada decisión.
- Diseño y construcción de casas nuevas.
- Maximizamos el valor de su propiedad.
Knowledge Hub
Latest Insights
Flood Zones
How FEMA Base Flood Elevation Impacts Your Insurance
Building above BFE can reduce annual flood premiums by $3,000–$8,000. Here's how we design for it.
Permitting
The Monroe County Permitting Playbook
A plain-English walk-through of the approval path for a new build in the Upper Keys.
Construction
Why Concrete Block Still Wins in the Keys
Concrete structures engineered for 180+ mph winds — and the insurance savings that follow.
Design
Turning a 299 SF Ground Floor Into 1,200 SF
The elevation trick that quadrupled livable space on a Key Largo renovation.
View All Articles
Expert advice on building, zoning, and design in the Upper Keys.
Your dream home in the Keys starts with one call.
Talk directly with Mercedes Lozada — Florida licensed General Contractor with a Degree in Architecture from Colombia.
40+ years buildingLicensed CGC1509536Mother-and-son family businessFree consultation