Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against Evolve Construction, Evolve Construction and Restoration Inc., and six of their executives, accusing them of scamming over 80 hurricane victims out of millions.
After the hurricanes hit Southwest Florida, unlicensed contractors from these companies went door-to-door, telling homeowners they’d repair roofs, handle mold, and restore their homes. In reality, they took large payments, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars per household, but rarely started, much less finished, any of the promised repairs.
At a press conference in Sarasota held Friday, September 25, 2026, Uthmeier explained just how widespread the scheme was. The defendants specifically targeted storm-battered seniors, representing about 80% of the victims. They offered free inspections, used official-sounding titles, and operated without the home solicitation permits or contracting licenses Florida requires. Uthmeier says his office has found at least $1 million in losses so far, but he expects that number to keep rising as more victims come forward. The lawsuit covers at least 11 counties, including Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Manatee, Volusia, St. Lucie, St. Johns, and Broward.
The state is charging Evolve Construction and its executives with two counts of unfair trade practices, seeking an injunction, monetary damages, and the full recovery of insurance money stolen from victims. “These people need to be made whole. These bad guys need to pay,” Uthmeier said.
He also clarified that this isn’t just about Evolve. At the press conference, he warned anyone pulling similar scams: if you abuse Florida homeowners, the state will find out and hold you accountable, civilly and criminally.
Secretary Melanie Griffin joined Uthmeier from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, leadership from the Florida Home Builders, and local business representatives. They all spoke about how unlicensed actors hurt legitimate contractors who follow the rules and actually help communities recover after storms.
The lawsuit follows a painful chapter for Florida homeowners. Too many Floridians desperate for repairs put their trust, and their insurance settlements, in the wrong hands.
If you think Evolve Construction or a similar company targeted you after the storms, Uthmeier urges you to come forward at www.myfloridalegal.com. If you’re considering hiring a contractor for home repairs, you can check their license status at myfloridalicense.com.
All details for this story come from a news conference held in Sarasota on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Attorney General’s Office, where officials outlined the scale of the fraud and the steps being taken to bring money and justice back to hurricane victims.
