News Summary
Residents in South Milwaukee are alarmed after reports of a roofing contractor, Property Restoration Professionals, vanishing with substantial payments. One homeowner, Lisa Allison, paid $5,000 for a roof replacement that was never completed. The contractor, Owen Masters, has become untraceable, and local authorities are investigating theft claims against him. Others have come forward with similar grievances, raising concerns about contractor accountability and urging caution among homeowners. Better Business Bureau findings indicate that the business operates without a license and is linked to a troubling criminal history.
South Milwaukee residents are on high alert after one local homeowner found herself in a precarious situation involving a roofing contractor who vanished after receiving substantial payment. Lisa Allison contracted Property Restoration Professionals in November 2024 to replace her roof based on an appealing sales pitch. However, six months have elapsed, and the roofing job remains incomplete, with the contractor, Owen Masters, now untraceable.
Allison’s ordeal began with hope for a prompt roofing solution, yet, as the intended project deadline came and went, her attempts to communicate with the contractor have gone unanswered, only resulting in voicemail messages. The feeling of being scammed has intensified for Allison since she paid $5,000 upfront for the work.
The situation has escalated to the point where the South Milwaukee police are investigating Property Restoration Professionals for theft by contractor. Reports indicate that Masters’ father stated there had been a falling-out between them and that he had not seen or heard from his son recently.
Reports from investigators reveal that Property Restoration Professionals is operating without a license in Wisconsin. Additionally, Masters possesses a criminal history marked by felony drug charges, a second Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) incident in 2024, and a burglary conviction from 2015. Such a background raises further questions regarding the company’s legitimacy and operational practices.
Allison is not alone in her struggle. Other homeowners have filed civil suits against Masters claiming they made payments for promised work that remains unstarted. One individual predating Allison’s contract paid $20,000 under similar circumstances. Amidst these troubling reports, communications supposedly from masters have surfaced, in which he expresses shame about his professional conduct and attributes his failures to poor choices from his past.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) shows that although there has only been one complaint lodged against Property Restoration Professionals, it has rated the business at a B-, which adds a layer of credibility concern for potential clients. The BBB acknowledged Allison’s use of a check as a protective measure during her transaction.
After realizing that she had been taken advantage of, Allison subsequently hired a different contractor to finally replace her roof and is now actively pursuing a refund for the lost funds. In a surprising turn of events, following media coverage of her plight, a former salesman for Property Restoration Professionals issued her a personal payment of $2,500, asserting that he was not associated with her contract.
Allison’s troubling experience mirrors a broader pattern of issues reported against Masters and Property Restoration Professionals in South Milwaukee, raising alarm amongst the community members. Local homeowners are now urged to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with contractors to avoid falling victim to similar predicaments.
This chain of events highlights a growing concern regarding contractor accountability and the need for stricter regulations to protect consumers from potential fraud. With investigations still underway, residents are hoping for a swift resolution to ensure their homes are safe and secured from further dishonest practices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Milwaukee Homeowners Face Roofing Contractor Crisis
Additional Resources
- Fox 6 Now: Wisconsin Homeowners Roofing Business Took Money, Disappeared
- Wikipedia: Contract for Services
- JSONline: Critics Say Harley CEO Hasn’t Spent Enough Time in Milwaukee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Consumer Protection
- Urban Milwaukee: Scott Wendt Named President of Hunzinger Construction Company
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.
