Florida AG sues roofing company, alleges ‘hijacked’ insurance payments 

Evolve Construction & Restoration, an embattled residential roofing company, has been sued by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for unfair and deceptive business practices. 

Complaints beginning in 2023 allege that the company took over $1 million from homeowners for work it did not complete.

The backdrop: Evolve Construction LLC was formed in Florida in February 2021, but “sat dormant” until it began operating in September 2022, two days after Hurricane Ian hit the coastal state, according to court documents. 

• Evolve Construction & Restoration was incorporated as a separate entity in June 2023, with Evolve Holdings, founded by Jay Zaabri, serving as the parent company. 

• The company says it has since expanded to over 35 locations across the United States, Canada, and Australia, though Homepros could verify just seven locations with Google Business Profiles.
• In July 2026, David Carlson, co-founder of tech company EagleView, acquired Evolve for $50 million in partnership with home services platform Solvane Group.

What’s happening: On September 25, Uthmeier sued Evolve and six named company executives, alleging they used “unconscionable practices to prey on Florida consumers” who needed roof repairs and replacements. 

• The complaint alleges that immediately after Hurricane Ian swept through Florida, company salesmen began soliciting customers and promising on-time, quality work that was fully covered by their insurance. 
• But since February 2023, over 80 homeowners — 60 percent of whom are seniors — have filed complaints claiming the company took thousands of dollars in insurance payments for work that was never finished. 

Zoom in: Its contractors and salesmen were neither licensed nor did they have the home-solicitation permits required in Florida, according to the complaint. 

• “In some instances, Defendants threaten consumers with liens even when they perform no work and do not buy any materials,” the complaint adds. In just one Florida county, Evolve has filed 81 liens against homeowners, according to data reviewed by Homepros.
• When customers tried to back out or request a refund, they were charged a 25 to 35 percent cancellation fee, and often never received their money back. 

Zoom out: The company has faced additional lawsuits, the earliest of which date back to 2024, when a Colorado homeowner alleged contractual fraud. Soon, complaints began popping up around the country, from Iowa to Florida. 

• In 2025, Zaabri pled guilty to “intentional” property damage as part of a hail insurance claim in Minnesota. 

Yes, but: Evolve is also keeping its lawyers busy: The company has active cases against 22 sales reps and against Roofing Insights host Dmitry Lipinskiy for “maliciously … target[ing] plaintiffs to destroy competition in the construction marketplace,” according to a recent video. 

What they’re saying: “Storm scammers should take notice — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier will pursue companies and anyone else who exploits hurricane victims … The attorney general will hold these bad actors accountable and stop others from targeting Florida families,” the AG’s office told Homepros in an emailed statement.

• The other side: “Our clients take these allegations seriously — including the accusation that they deliberately exploit hurricane victims, which they deny,” a representative for Shahady & Wurtenberger, the law firm representing the defendants, told Homepros in a statement.
• “We recognize the hardship experienced by homeowners recovering from devastating storms. Their concerns deserve careful examination, and my clients deserve a fair opportunity to respond. Public accusations can cause substantial harm before the evidence has been tested.”

What’s next: With the case filed, the defendants will be formally served with a summons, notifying them of the lawsuit. They will have three weeks to respond with an answer or motion to dismiss. 

• In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to come forward with their complaints and report them to the Attorney General’s office.