Evolve Construction faces 66 complaints over unfinished work

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) - Neighbors in one Fort Myers community say a contractor took their money and never finished the job.

After Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida, homes across the region were left damaged.

For neighbors in the River Townhomes community along the Caloosahatchee River, the damage wasn't just from the storm.

"We were just trying to get back home, and they took advantage of us," said Brenda Morris and Leslie Payton.

Morris and Payton were two of 22 neighbors who hired Evolve Construction to repair siding, paying thousands upfront.

"They took almost $80,000 in deposits, and to date, they have not done any work," Morris and Payton said.

The women brought WINK News a stack of documents laying out their case.

That includes copies of checks, like one for $7,000. A signed contract showing upfront payments. A formal complaint was sent to the Florida Attorney General, along with 22 complaints from neighbors in the same community. There's also a letter from an attorney demanding that the contract be canceled and that money be returned.

Documents from the city of Fort Myers even show that a permit tied to the project was later canceled.

"They never returned our calls ever," Morris and Payton said.

Morris and Payton said as months went by and communication with Evolve went silent, they had no choice but to pay out of pocket again, hiring a different company to finish the work.

"When I think about it, it just is disturbing. I mean, not only disturbing, but it just makes me mad," Morris and Payton said.

A review of Better Business Bureau complaints shows similar concerns: delays, communication issues, and refund disputes.

Evolve Construction said in an email that it takes concerns seriously and asked for more details to investigate.

But after several follow-up requests, the company has not provided any additional answers.

Fort Myers police say the case is still active and being prepared for the State Attorney's Office.

"We just don't want anyone else to suffer what we've all gone through. And I think they should be reprimanded in some way, shape, or form," Morris and Payton said.

WINK News reached out to the Attorney General's Office several times over the course of several weeks.

A spokesperson responded with a statement that says in part, "This is an ongoing investigation. To date, we have received 66 consumer complaints."

WINK News followed up again, asking what has been done so far in this investigation and what comes next. The office did not respond.