Renovation Inspiration Contest

These are the complete rules for the sixth annual Renovation Inspiration Contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh. No purchase is necessary to enter.

How to enter by mail:

  • On the entry form in the spaces provided, fill in your name, address, city, state, zip code and daytime phone number.
  • Send us five to 10 photographs (4-by-6 only) of your house renovation. Include your name and address on the back of each photo. Sorry, we cannot return the photos.
  • In 200 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 five years. Discuss how the renovation meets three criteria:
    1. Appropriateness - Construction, scale and materials should fit the house and neighborhood.
    2. Functionality - The house should be livable, not a museum. Extra credit for using environmentally friendly materials and techniques.
    3. Imagination - creativity in solving typical old-house problems.
  • Where To Send Your Contest Entry: Complete this form on-line or mail a paper entry form, photos and the 200-words-or-less description mentioned above in an envelope, with a first-class postage stamp affixed, to Renovation Inspiration Contest, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Kevin Kirkland, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Entries must be received by Jan. 3, 2012. Entries may also be dropped off at the PG Contest Box located at 34 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. One entry per household per year.

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. Include caption information at the end of the essay. It will not count against the 200-word limit. Entries must be submitted no later than midnight, Jan. 4, 2012. Judges will visit the semi-finalist homes, and notify the top winners by Feb. 5, 2012.

General Rules: To enter you must be 18 years of age or older and live in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, or Westmoreland County. 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, design professionals and Post-Gazette staffers. Void where prohibited by law.

All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All entries become the exclusive property of the Post-Gazette and will not be returned. Post-Gazette will not be responsible for lost, late, damaged, postage due, misdirected or mutilated mail. Incomplete or illegible entries will be deemed null and void.

We will visit the semi-finalist homes and then notify the top winners by Feb. 5, 2012. Decisions are final on all matters relating to this contest. The odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible and accurate entries received. 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. Acceptance of prize offered constitutes permission to use winner’s name and likeness for commercial purposes without further notice and compensation, unless prohibited by law. Any specific contest rules and/or addendum may be picked up at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, at its discretion, may add additional rules, so long as the rule change is published in the Post-Gazette and is not implemented until the day following the change.

Entrants acknowledge and agree that they have entered the contest of their own free will, that the full rules and details of the contest have been made available to them in writing and they, therefore, understand and agree that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or its agents, affiliates, sponsors, representatives or employees do not have any liability with respect to the contestants’ participation in the contest or winning a prize and are not liable for any damages of our acceptance and use of the prize. By entering this contest, participants agree to be bound by these rules and the decision of the sponsoring newspaper, which are binding in all respects.

Prizes: Winners will each receive pairs of tickets to 2012 city house tours and free RenPlan design consultations by the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reserves the right to substitute prizes at its sole discretion. Questions, comments or concerns can be directed to Magazine Editor Kevin Kirkland (412-262-1978 or kkirkland@post-gazette.com).