The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh are sponsoring their 4th annual home renovation contest for homeowners living in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

There are two categories of competition:

• Small - renovation of exterior or one or more rooms or areas costing $50,000 or less
• Large - renovation of exterior or one or more rooms or areas costing more than $50,000

Past winner: Dave and Nancy Eshelman's kitchen on the South Side

Entrants can make use of professionals in design or maintenance of the home. A grand prize and one or two honorable mentions will be awarded in each category.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette may publish the name, photographs and any information provided with entries, in print and on the Internet, including any advertising and promotion.

Winners must sign a statement that they have fully complied with the rules and terms outlined.

Homeowners, tenants, or professional designers or contractors who have the owner's approval may enter the contest. Employees of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or Community Design Center of Pittsburgh are disqualified from entering the contest, as are members of their immediate families. The judging panel is made up of local architects and design professionals and Post-Gazette staffers.

One entry per household per year.

Prizes

Winners will each receive a pair of tickets to 2010 city house tours and free RenPlan design consultations by the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh.

Questions, comments or concerns can be directed to Homes Editor Kevin Kirkland (412)263-1978 or kkirkland@post-gazette.com).

Full contest rules are available here.

How to enter by mail

Send us five to 10 photographs, 4-by-6 only, of your house renovation, including "before" photos, if possible. Sorry, we cannot return the photos. Each image must include the entrant's name and address in the caption or written on the back of each photo. Send your photos and the description mentioned below (along with your name, address and daytime phone number) to Renovation Inspiration Contest, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Entries must be received by December 14.

Entries may also be dropped off at the green PG Contest box at 34 Blvd. of the Allies.

In 175 words or less, describe the motivation behind your renovation and how it was achieved. Houses must be at least 50 years old and renovations must have been completed within the past four years. Discuss how the renovation meets three criteria:

1. Appropriateness - Constructionm, scale and materials should fit the house and neighborhood.
2. Functionality - The house should be liveable, not a museum. Extra credit for using environmentally friendly materials and techniques.
3. Imagination - creativity in solving typical old-house problems.

Please include at the top of your essay which category (Small or Large) you are entering.

How to enter online

Submit the entry information through our online form by clicking the button below. The form will allow you to upload up to 10 photos of your renovation.

Entries must be submitted no later than midnight, December 14, 2009. Judges will visit the semi-finalist homes, and notify the top winners by December 31.