Minneapolis (March 6, 2007) – In an industry which often suffers a black eye and has its reputation sullied by storm chasers and contractors running from television cameras due to some alleged home-improvement rip-off, it appears one local contractor is getting it right.

For the second year in a row, Home Street Home Improvers has received Angie’s List Super Service Award®, and has also recently been awarded the 2006 Community Advocate Business Award by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding community involvement and its philosophy of consumer education.

Home Street, an exterior remodeling contractor with offices in Northeast Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, is a relatively young company in the remodeling industry. The owner, Vince Leeson, formed the company in 2003 after working in the remodeling profession for a number of years. Leeson said that over the years, he’s seen remodeling companies come and go, and has witnessed “storm chasers swoop into town looking for a quick buck,” and felt he had something better to offer.

“Receiving these awards confirms the fact that we are doing it right,” said Leeson. The Angie’s List Super Service Award® is given annually to companies that achieved and maintained a superior service rating throughout the year on Angie’s List, an online consumer-driven rating system. Home Street was also recently presented with the 2006 Community Advocate Business Award by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) at their Annual Member Celebration at the Hyatt Minneapolis, on February 15, 2007. Home Street received the MRCC award in recognition of its contributions to the community through the volunteerism of Leeson and his sister and assistant in the business, Shelley Leeson, and for the company’s commitment to providing consumer education through their company newsletter. Leeson said he and his sister are big believers in businesses of all kinds demonstrating involvement in their communities.

Leeson also said that he has formed the base of his company around providing education to home owners. He says too many consumers often fall victim to disreputable contractors who lure home owners with deceptively low estimates, and then either don’t follow through after collecting a down payment, perform substandard work or end up charging far more than the original estimate. Leeson said that home owners need to check references and credentials of contractors, and also make sure that the estimate they are offered isn't ambiguous. Leeson added that his company publishes a regular newsletter which attempts to educate consumers about choosing a contractor and avoiding pitfalls in the home improvement process.

In 2005, Home Street received the Angie’s List Super Service Award in recognition of its superior service rating in roofing. The 2006 award is in recognition of Home Street’s superior service rating in the categories of roofing, windows and gutters. The ratings on Angie’s List are derived strictly from consumers’ online reports of the companies that they hire. Companies cannot pay to be on the list, nor can they put themselves on the list. Over 283,000 companies have been put on Angie’s List by consumers, and only 5 percent of the companies are eligible for the recognition.

Over the last few years, Home Street has donated time, funds or skills to Hearts & Hammers Twin Cities, the Northeast Citizen Patrol, Northeast Parade and St. Louis Park’s Dollars for Scholars program. Home Street has also participated in local neighborhood organizations and has organized neighborhood clean-ups and block clubs. “We’re proud to have been recognized for our work in the community, and we’re committed to continuing that work,” said Leeson, adding that he hopes to be a role model for integrity and leadership in the community and in the remodeling industry.

Home Street was also recognized as the 2006 Business of the Year by the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, in September 2006, in recognition of its demonstrated growth and contributions to the community.