News Summary
Residents in South Milwaukee are grappling with a troubling roofing contractor situation as homeowner Lisa Allison’s roof replacement remains unfinished due to the contractor’s disappearance. After hiring Property Restoration Professionals and paying $5,000 upfront, Allison’s attempts to contact the missing operator, Owen Masters, have gone unanswered. With ongoing investigations revealing Masters’ criminal history and complaints emerging from other homeowners, the community is affected by the urgent need for contractor accountability and proper licensing in Wisconsin.
South Milwaukee residents are facing distressing challenges as homeowner Lisa Allison finds herself in a troubling situation after hiring a roofing contractor who has since gone missing. In November 2024, Allison contracted Property Restoration Professionals for a roof replacement following damage from a hail storm in May 2024. However, six months later, the roofing job remains incomplete, and the company’s operator, Owen Masters, cannot be located. An ongoing criminal investigation has been launched into Masters for theft as a contractor, with police confirming he is currently missing.
Allison paid the contractor $5,000 upfront for the roofing work, relying on a detailed contract she had signed. After her attempts to reach Masters result only in unanswered calls and voicemail responses, her frustrations have intensified. A police report reveals that Masters has not only gone missing but has a troubling past with a criminal history that includes felony drug charges and a second OWI conviction in 2024, along with a burglary conviction in 2015. The situation has escalated, with another South Milwaukee homeowner also filing a civil suit against Masters, claiming he paid $20,000 for similar work that never began.
The investigation into Owen Masters has prompted multiple residents to reevaluate their dealings with Property Restoration Professionals, which is not licensed to operate in Wisconsin. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has one complaint against the company, which is rated a B-. Lisa Schiller from the BBB noted that Allison took vital steps to protect herself in the transaction by ensuring she paid by check and established a contractual agreement. Despite that, the situation has left many homeowners feeling vulnerable.
In light of these developments, Allison has sought alternatives and hired another contractor to complete the roofing work that remains undone. She did, however, receive a partial refund of $2,500 from a former salesman who worked for Property Restoration Professionals. This salesman alleged that he never signed the original contract but that Masters had signed on his behalf without consent. This complicated circumstance continues to unfold while the South Milwaukee police maintain their investigation into the matter.
This incident highlights significant concerns within the construction industry, particularly regarding contractor licensing and accountability in Wisconsin. Residents are encouraged to perform due diligence before contracting services in order to protect their financial investments. As the ongoing investigation continues, authorities are working diligently to locate Owen Masters and bring clarity to this troubling situation faced by homeowners within the community.
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Additional Resources
- Fox6 Now: Wisconsin Homeowners in Distress
- Wikipedia: Contractor
- Spectrum News 1: South Milwaukee Army Veteran Roof
- Google Search: Roofing Contractor Scams
- Urban Milwaukee: County Plans to Move Kelly Senior Center
- Google Scholar: Contractor Licensing
- Wisn: Wisconsin Tornadoes Possible
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Roofing Industry
- Konrad Behlman: Obituary for Mike Duehring
- Google News: Construction Industry Issues
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
