A Pewaukee remodeling contractor is at the center of a growing legal storm, with prosecutors filing 11 criminal charges tied to allegedly unfinished and faulty home improvement jobs that left customers paying to fix the mess. Court records identify the defendant as Joseph Burbey, who is charged with two felony counts of theft by a contractor connected to work in Mequon and Menomonee Falls. He is scheduled for an initial appearance on March 5.
According to TMJ4, prosecutors brought the two felony counts and nine additional misdemeanors after reviewing court filings and findings from a state investigation. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection determined that two families were left responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in unfinished work. One Mequon couple told the station they paid a $34,800 contract, then had to shell out roughly another $22,000 to get their bathroom redone.
Homeowners Say Projects Were Left in Rough Shape
It's just a downpour of water, one Mequon homeowner describing water pouring into the basement after the remodel. The couple said they documented multiple defects throughout the project and tried to get relief in small claims court, but those efforts were complicated when the contractor's business reportedly shut down.
Records Flag a Trail of Complaints
The Better Business Bureau profile for Back to Basics Builders, the company previously associated with Burbey, lists several 2023 complaints. Homeowners there allege incomplete work, unpaid subcontractors and a sudden closure. Consumer advocates often point to those complaint histories as red flags that buyers should review before signing a remodeling contract.
New Company, Same Name on the Website
After Back to Basics closed in 2023, public records show the same owner tied to a new business called Cheesehead Construction, which advertises remodeling services online. The company website lists Joe Burbey as the owner and features customer testimonials and contact information, while promoting services in Waukesha and nearby communities.
How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves
The Better Business Bureau advises homeowners to verify licenses, review complaint histories, ask for references and avoid paying the full amount upfront before major work begins. Keeping detailed written contracts, taking photos as work progresses and confirming that subcontractors have been paid can help if a dispute later winds up in small claims court or in front of state regulators.
What Happens Next
Burbey is set for an initial appearance on March 5 in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Prosecutors will be required to lay out their case in full and share evidence before any trial date is scheduled. In the meantime, homeowners who believe they have been harmed can contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for consumer protection resources and complaint forms through the agency's consumer pages.
We will continue to track court filings and state consumer protection records and report new developments as they become public. If you find yourself in a dispute with a contractor, preserve your contracts and photos of the work and consider filing a complaint with the state consumer hotline for guidance on next steps.
