Consumer Warning — Public Record
⚠ Active Litigation
EVO TURF & PAVERS (EVO ENTERPRISES INC.) • MICHAEL S. MULDER • LICENSE 1018917 • CITATION NO. 2 2023 2010 • COMPLAINT SF 2022008760 • CIVIL PENALTY: $11,750 • 17 VIOLATIONS ACROSS 5 CODE SECTIONS • RETAINING WALL COLLAPSE • FRAUDULENT MECHANIC'S LIEN • NO BUILDING PERMIT OBTAINED • MORTGAGE DEFAULT & FORECLOSURE • 8990 MIRAMAR RD #170, SAN DIEGO CA 92126 •
EVO TURF & PAVERS (EVO ENTERPRISES INC.) • MICHAEL S. MULDER • LICENSE 1018917 • CITATION NO. 2 2023 2010 • COMPLAINT SF 2022008760 • CIVIL PENALTY: $11,750 • 17 VIOLATIONS ACROSS 5 CODE SECTIONS • RETAINING WALL COLLAPSE • FRAUDULENT MECHANIC'S LIEN • NO BUILDING PERMIT OBTAINED • MORTGAGE DEFAULT & FORECLOSURE • 8990 MIRAMAR RD #170, SAN DIEGO CA 92126 •
Consumer Warning — Contractor Fraud
Evo Turf & PaversA Public Record of Fraud
Documented construction fraud, a fraudulent mechanic's lien, retaining wall collapse, and 17 violations across 5 CSLB code sections with an $11,750 civil penalty — causing over $16 million in damages, mortgage default, and foreclosure of a La Jolla luxury estate.
⚖ LEGAL NOTICE: This website presents the personal experience and documented legal claims of the Mora family. All statements are based on court filings, the official CSLB citation, and documented evidence. This site is a non-commercial consumer information resource protected by the First Amendment. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. This is NOT the official website of Evo Turf & Pavers LLC.
$16M+
Total Damages Alleged
$11,750
CSLB Civil Penalty Assessed
17
Violations / 5 Code Sections
$156K
Fraudulent Mechanic's Lien
$335,708
Fraudulent Bankruptcy Claim
$400K
Wall Collapse Repair Cost
Identity & Background
Who is Evo Turf & Pavers?
Evo Enterprises Inc. DBA Evo Turf and Pavers is a California landscaping and hardscaping contractor located at 8990 Miramar Rd #170, San Diego CA 92126, operated by Michael S. Mulder. The CSLB complaint lists Michael Mulder's former address as 1100 N. Magnolia Suite A, El Cajon CA 92020.
Defendant
Evo Enterprises Inc.
DBA: Evo Turf and Pavers
Principal: Michael S. Mulder
CSLB License: 1018917
8990 Miramar Rd #170
San Diego, CA 92126
Phone: (619) 933-7428
Email: [email protected]
Principal: Michael S. Mulder
CSLB License: 1018917
8990 Miramar Rd #170
San Diego, CA 92126
Phone: (619) 933-7428
Email: [email protected]
Stone Haven Build
Evo Concrete and Masonry
Evoscapes
Affected Property
6389 Castejon Drive
La Jolla, California 92037
Certified Appraisal (At Completion): $18,034,000
Reduced Asking Price (w/ Repair Credits): $15,800,000
CSLB Complaint No.: SF 2022008760
Contract Date: 01/28/2022
Contract Amount: $237,158.00
Amount Paid: $225,000.00
Certified Appraisal (At Completion): $18,034,000
Reduced Asking Price (w/ Repair Credits): $15,800,000
CSLB Complaint No.: SF 2022008760
Contract Date: 01/28/2022
Contract Amount: $237,158.00
Amount Paid: $225,000.00
The CSLB issued Citation No. 2 2023 2010 on April 2, 2024, assessing a $11,750 civil penalty against Evo for 17 violations across 5 code sections. The Final Order date was February 19, 2025. A $6,000 modified civil penalty was ordered in 10 monthly installments of $600.
The Story
What Happened — A Timeline
In January 2022, we hired Evo Turf & Pavers (Evo Enterprises Inc.) and paid $225,000 in full. We dealt directly with the owner, Michael Mulder, throughout the entire project. What followed was years of fraud, defective construction, mortgage default, and the foreclosure of our home and livelihood.
January 28, 2022
Contract Signed — $237,158 Agreed
Written contract for landscape, hardscape, turf, pavers, irrigation, drainage, basketball court, bocce ball court, 2 pavilions, potted plants, zen garden and tile installation at 6389 Castejon Drive, La Jolla. Mulder personally assured us the project would be completed in 4–6 weeks and gave us a deadline of March 1, 2022 to get us to sign the contract.
February 1, 2022
Work Began — $225,000 Eventually Paid in Full
Work commenced February 1, 2022 and was abandoned June 20, 2022 — nearly 4 months past deadline. All $225,000 was paid. Evo immediately issued a preliminary lien notice for $325,000 — 57% above the remaining contractual balance.
February–June 2022
Missed Every Deadline — $450,000 in Holding Costs
Evo repeatedly missed its March deadline, pushing to April, May, then June — costing $450,000 in holding costs. A per diem penalty of $1,000/day was agreed upon. The promised crew of 8–10 workers never materialized. Unauthorized change orders totaling $55,000+ were submitted without written authorization.
June 20, 2022
Project Abandoned With Major Defects
Evo declared completion despite: failing 6-foot retaining wall already leaning, defective pot irrigation draining onto brand-new concrete, 7 trees/plants dead, bocce court 20 feet too short, mulch missing in 15+ locations, stucco sprayed onto brand-new basketball hoop. A surprise overtime and "idle time" bill was submitted days before the final payment demand.
July 15, 2022
Fraudulent Mechanic's Lien Filed — $156,184.59 (Lien Instrument No. 22-291647)
Evo recorded a mechanic's lien for $157,000 despite the contract being paid in full. The lien was not properly served — mailed to the property address rather than the entity's legal address, at a time when the property did not even have a mailbox installed. This void lien blocked a signed $11,500,000 refinance commitment from a lender, destroyed our ability to debt-service the project, and triggered mortgage default and foreclosure. We lost our home and livelihood as a direct result of Mulder's fraudulent lien.
January 2023
Retaining Wall Collapses
The Keystone mortarless wall — built without a masonry license and without building permits — collapsed. Vital Core Consulting's engineering report confirmed: defective installation, wrong drainage pipe placement, improper gravel fill, plastic instead of filter fabric, no geogrid for clay soil, uncompacted backfill. Emergency cleanup: $25,000. Total repair estimate: $400,000.
April 2, 2024
CSLB Issues Citation — 17 Violations Across 5 Code Sections, $11,750 Civil Penalty
The California Contractors State License Board issued Citation No. 2 2023 2010 against Evo Enterprises Inc. (License 1018917) finding 17 individual violations across 5 code sections, including willful departure from trade standards, failure to obtain building permits, fraudulent lien amounts, illegal contract terms, and payment in excess of work performed. Civil penalty: $11,750. Final Order: February 19, 2025. Modified to $6,000 in 10 monthly installments.
2023 — Ongoing
Fraudulent $335,708 Bankruptcy Claim
During Bula Developments' Chapter 11, Evo filed a proof of claim for $335,708 — far more than the entire paid contract amount, including charges for defective and unperformed work. Mulder also included approximately $100,000 in self-created "defamation" claims stemming from our Yelp reviews and photos — no defamation lawsuit was ever filed, and no court authorized this claim. He manufactured it entirely on his own accord. The trustee ultimately sold construction defect claims back to Evo for only $50,000.
July 2026
Trial — San Diego Superior Court
Federal bankruptcy judge directed all individual plaintiffs to California State Court, preserving independent claims. Trial set for mid-July 2026, Case No. 37-2024-00029706-CU-FT-CTL.
Photo Evidence
Documented Damage — In Photos
⚠ All photos and documents constitute evidence in active litigation (SD Superior Court No. 37-2024-00029706-CU-FT-CTL). Images document 6389 Castejon Drive, La Jolla CA 92037 following work performed by Evo Enterprises Inc. DBA Evo Turf and Pavers, License 1018917.
Evidence Group 1
Property Condition Within 6 Months of Evo's Alleged Completion
February – October 2023
After Evo received $250,000 in full and declared the project complete, the property deteriorated rapidly. These photos document erosion, wall failure, and landscape defects that made the $18M-appraised property unsaleable.
Evidence Group 2
Condition After Self-Mitigation — Critical Marketing Period
December 2023 – December 2024
Despite self-funded mitigation, the fraudulent lien continued blocking refinancing and sale. Asking price reduced to $15.8M with buyer credit for wall repairs, against a certified appraisal of $16M assuming completed repairs.
Evidence Group 3
Project "Completion" → Apparent Defect — 4 Months Before Collapse
August 16, 2022
By August 2022 — just weeks after Evo declared completion and demanded final payment — visible structural defects had already emerged. The retaining wall was showing failure four full months before it collapsed in January 2023.
Evidence Group 4
Backyard Paver Damage — Evo's Defective Installation
December 2025
Defective pot irrigation was engineered to drain directly onto brand-new concrete pavers, causing severe calcium staining, surface damage, and water accumulation. CSLB confirmed multiple violations of §7109(a) — willful departure from trade standards.
Evidence Group 5
Evidence of Incomplete Installation by Evo
June 2022
Photos taken at Evo's claimed "completion" date in June 2022 show significant work unfinished or defective: mulch missing across 15+ locations, dead trees from improper irrigation, bocce court built 20 feet too short, stucco sprayed onto the basketball hoop. Evo then demanded final payment and filed a $156,000 lien.
Evidence Group 6
Backyard Damage and Defective Irrigation by Evo
June 2022 – October 2023
Persistent defective drainage causing water accumulation, ongoing erosion, and calcium deposits on new concrete. Damage documented over a 16-month period as the property sat unsaleable — unable to refinance, four buyers walked away — while Mulder's fraudulent lien remained on title.
Evidence Group 7
Front Entry Damages and Defective Irrigation by Evo
June 2022 – October 2023
Defective irrigation at the front entry caused water damage and surface staining on newly completed hardscape. Damage worsened throughout the 16-month period the property was locked by the fraudulent lien and unable to close.
Evidence Group 8
Landscape Project Completion — July 2022
July 2022
Evo received $250,000 payment in full — then filed a mechanic's lien for $156,000. These photos show the state of the property at the moment Evo declared the project complete and demanded full payment, before subsequently recording a fraudulent lien that would trigger mortgage default, foreclosure, and the loss of an $18,034,000 estate.
📋 All 30 photos are sourced from the case evidence document:
View Full Evidence Photo Document →
Construction Defects
17 Documented Construction Defects
The following defects were reported in the CSLB Complaint Form (SF 2022008760), documented in written correspondence to Evo, and confirmed by engineering assessments from Vital Core Consulting and Coffey Engineering:
Improper drainage throughout the project
Improper engineering of 6-foot Keystone retaining wall
Keystone wall is falling and leaning — ultimately collapsed January 2023
Contractor failed to honor warranty and correct defective work
Uneven paver steps — not per code
Unsecured paver caps creating tripping hazards
Defective drainage causing water accumulation and calcium damage to concrete
Defective installation of potted plants, causing drainage and water damage
Defective installation of irrigation, causing multiple trees and plants to die
Defective installation of Bocce turf material — rising and not usable
Defective installation of trees and inadequate soil imports despite soil charges being paid
Insufficient installation of mulch, despite mulch charges paid in full
Unauthorized charges and unsigned change orders totaling $55,000+
Failure to repair defective work and honor warranty requests
Attempt to defraud consumer with unauthorized charges — neighbor's plant charges, employee overtime, tractor "idle time" charges
Filing of a false and improper mechanic's lien to coerce payment of unauthorized charges and prevent sale of the property
Contractor failed to properly serve the lien — homeowners were completely unaware of the lien until contractor filed lawsuit to foreclose
"The contractor threatened the homeowner on private property and 'wanted to fight like men'. The contractor threatened the homeowner in front of his own employees as witnesses. The contractor exhibited severe character flaws, malice and a lack of professionalism and accountability."
— CSLB Complaint Form SF 2022008760, filed by property owner
"The contractor is abusing his licensing and lien rights in order to extort money from the homeowner's high-value asset and sale of the property, in addition to providing hazardous incomplete work and not honoring the warranty promised in the contract."
— CSLB Complaint Form SF 2022008760
Official CSLB Citation
CSLB Citation No. 2 2023 2010 — Full Violation Details
The following is a complete breakdown of each violation cited by the California Contractors State License Board against Evo Enterprises Inc. DBA Evo Turf and Pavers (License 1018917), as issued in the official citation dated April 2, 2024 and signed by David R. Fogt, Registrar of Contractors.
| Item | Code Section | Violation Description | Original Penalty | Modified Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | § 7109(a) |
Willful departure from accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction: (1) Retaining wall drain pipe installed level with the top of the first block — should be higher than the first course (2) Gravel only packed around drain pipe, not continuing full height of wall — ¾" crushed gravel required behind entire wall (3) Plastic film installed behind wall instead of filter fabric — does not allow adequate water percolation (4) No geogrid installed for 4–6 ft walls in clay-heavy soil — geogrid is manufacturer-recommended for this soil type (5) Back slope not properly compacted — each lift of excavated soil must be compacted with a plate compactor |
$2,000 | $1,000 |
| #2 | § 7110 | Failed to obtain a building permit on the project as required by building code. Retaining walls constructed without required City of San Diego building permits. |
$5,000 | $2,500 |
| #3 | § 7161(d) | Prepared or accepted a document evidencing indebtedness in an amount greater than the monetary obligation for the improvement. Filed a mechanic's lien for $157,000 in excess of the actual amount owed. |
$2,000 | $1,000 |
| #4 | § 7159 |
Failed to comply with home improvement contract law provisions: (d) Failed to provide written change orders prior to commencement of work (10)(A)–(C) Contract did not address commencement of work, start date, or completion date headings (11) Did not provide the required format for estimated completion date (e)(1)(B)(C) Included false/inapplicable insurance and self-insurance statements in contract (3)(A)–(C) Did not provide required notices about change order authorization and enforceability (6)(A) Failed to provide "Three or Five-Day Right to Cancel" notice required by law |
$750 | $500 |
| #5 | § 7159.5 |
Violated home improvement contract law — cause for discipline: (4) Failed to include a schedule of payments identified in dollars and cents, referencing amounts of work/services and materials/equipment to be supplied (5) Contractor requested and/or accepted payment that exceeds the value of the work performed or material delivered |
$2,000 | $1,000 |
| TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY — Original Assessment | $11,750 | |||
| MODIFIED CIVIL PENALTY — Final Order February 19, 2025 | $6,000 (10 × $600/mo) | |||
Official CSLB Record — Download & Verify at CSLB.ca.gov
Signed by: David R. Fogt, Registrar of Contractors, Contractors State License Board | Issued by: Citation Enforcement Section, 12501 E. Imperial Hwy., Suite 600, Norwalk, CA 90650
Official CSLB Citation Document — Citation #2-2023-2010 (19 pages)
If the document does not display, ensure the Google Drive file is set to "Anyone with the link can view" — or click here to open it directly in Google Drive.
Legal Proceedings
10 Causes of Action Filed
Filed against Evo Enterprises Inc. DBA Evo Turf and Pavers and Michael S. Mulder in federal adversary proceedings and California state court:
COUNT 01
Avoidance of Fraudulent Transfers
Payments made to Evo based on false representations without providing reasonably equivalent value. 11 U.S.C. §§ 544, 548.
COUNT 02
Objection to Proof of Claim
Evo's $335,708 bankruptcy claim includes charges for defective/unperformed work. Bankr. Rule 3007; 11 U.S.C. § 502(b).
COUNT 03
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Evo abused its position of trust: inflating invoices, abandoning the project, and filing a fraudulent lien — prioritizing financial gain over contractual obligations.
COUNT 04
Intentional Slander of Title
Fraudulent lien No. 22-291647 for $156,184.59 clouded title for 2+ years, blocking an $11.5M refinance commitment. Cal. Civil Code § 8640.
COUNT 05
Fraudulent Misrepresentation
Evo knowingly misrepresented the scope, cost, and quality of work to induce payments. The project was never properly completed as contracted.
COUNT 06
Constructive Fraud
Evo concealed defects, misrepresented project completion, and filed inflated claims while occupying a position of trust and fiduciary responsibility.
COUNT 07
Unfair Business Practices
Pattern of unlawful conduct violating Cal. Business & Professions Code § 17200 (UCL), including CSLB-confirmed unlicensed masonry work and overcharged billing.
COUNT 08
Breach of Contract
Evo missed all deadlines, performed defective work, built a wall that collapsed, and charged for unauthorized changes without written authorization.
COUNT 09
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Years of extreme conduct — threatening homeowner, fraudulent lien, wall collapse, inflated bankruptcy claim — caused severe emotional distress.
COUNT 10
Unjust Enrichment
Evo retained $225,000 for work never properly performed, without providing the value promised under the contract.
Official Records
Court Filings & Case Numbers
All of the following are matters of public record:
⚖
San Diego Superior Court — Case No. 37-2022-00041470-CU-BC-CTL
State Civil Action · San Diego, California
Original civil action arising from fraudulent mechanic's lien (Instrument No. 22-291647) and construction defects at 6389 Castejon Drive, La Jolla.
📋
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. California — Case No. 23-24619
Chapter 11 · Bula Developments, Inc. · Adversary Proceeding Against Evo
10 causes of action filed. Evo filed fraudulent $335,708 proof of claim. Trustee sold defect claims back to Evo for only $50,000.
🏛
San Diego Superior Court — Case No. 37-2024-00029706-CU-FT-CTL
Individual Claims · Trial Set: July 2026
All individual plaintiffs directed by federal judge to California State Court. Trial scheduled mid-July 2026.
🏛
CSLB Citation No. 2 2023 2010 — Evo Enterprises Inc. DBA Evo Turf and Pavers
California Contractors State License Board · License No. 1018917 · Complaint SF 2022008760
17 violations across 5 code sections. Civil penalty: $11,750 (modified to $6,000). Violations: willful departure from trade standards (§7109a), failure to obtain building permit (§7110), fraudulent lien amount (§7161d), defective home improvement contract (§7159), payment in excess of work value (§7159.5).
📄
Motion for Sanctions Against Evo and Counsel
Filed February 2026 · Case No. 23-24619
Motion for sanctions against Evo Enterprises and counsel (Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok), citing improper conduct throughout the proceedings.
Summary
The Pattern of Deceptive Conduct
"The contractor is abusing his licensing and lien rights in order to extort money from the homeowner's high-value asset and sale of the property, in addition to providing hazardous incomplete work and not honoring the warranty promised in the contract."
— CSLB Complaint Form SF 2022008760, filed by property owner (confirmed by CSLB investigation)
Received $225,000 in full — then declared completion while leaving defective, dangerous work
Submitted $55,000+ in unauthorized change orders without written authorization — CSLB confirmed violation of § 7159
Filed a mechanic's lien for $157,000 despite full payment — amount confirmed inflated by CSLB (violation of § 7161d)
Served the lien at the property address while no mailbox was yet installed — homeowners unaware until Mulder filed to foreclose
Failed to obtain building permits for the retaining walls — confirmed CSLB violation of § 7110, $5,000 penalty
Built walls that willfully departed from trade standards — confirmed CSLB violation of § 7109(a), causing collapse
Blocked a signed $11.5 million refinance commitment through this void lien — destroying our ability to debt-service the property, causing mortgage default and foreclosure
Filed a $335,708 fraudulent bankruptcy claim including ~$100,000 of self-created "defamation" damages over Yelp reviews — no defamation lawsuit was ever filed; the claim was manufactured without court authorization
17 violations across 5 CSLB code sections; $11,750 civil penalty assessed
Threatened the homeowner physically on their own property, in front of employees
Hired Evo Turf & Pavers?
If you have had a similar experience with Evo Turf and Pavers, Evo Enterprises Inc., Stone Haven Build, or Michael Mulder — your experience matters. Consider filing a formal complaint with the CSLB.
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