Home Design Magazine Renovation of the Year Awards
Terms & Conditions and General FAQ
What is different about the Home Design Magazine Renovation of the Year Awards?
This competition spotlights the outcomes created by home owners when they commit to a renovation.
It is designed to reward those that have recently done a renovation, and inspire those who are thinking about one.
The emphasis of this program is on creating outcomes – we are looking to see how the renovation improved the life of the family living in the home.
This means that ANY renovation can win – it could be a highly impactful DIY job, or a major reno involving professionals. We are looking for evidence of good outcomes for the family that live in the home.
There will be a number of finalists decided by the Editor, and 1 winner. All finalist projects will be promoted throughout the year to prospective renovators by being featured in Home Design Magazine and social media.
Entry is easy, and there is a chance to win great prizes just for entering your project.
There is an additional People’s Choice voting competition held to determine the winner of the People’s Choice prize of this competition. The People’s Choice Voting competition that voters opt to participate in, is a separate competition from this competition opted-in by project nominators, and has its own Terms and Conditions which will be made available at the time this competition commences.
Who can enter?
Any home owner based in Australia or New Zealand, with a renovation that has been completed since 1st Jan 2015.
If you are a renovation professional i.e., Builder, Architect or Specialty Designer you are welcome to ask your past customers to enter. In these cases, you can even enter on their behalf and send a link to them to sign-off.
If your home owner is listed as a finalist, and the form has been filled in correctly, both you and they will receive a trophy, and both you and they will be listed in the coverage. Only home owners will be in the running for prize money, as winners or runners-up, but professionals can receive the kudos associated with a win.
Staff of Universal Media Co, or their immediate relatives cannot enter.
How Professionals can get their Past Home Owners to Enter
Fill in their Name, Address, plus your own company name and any other companies involved in the design or build under ‘Designer/Builder Credits’.
Send the link to your customer for completion and submission.
Why reward the home owner?
Ultimately it is the home owner who sets the vision for the project. It is also the homeowner who can tell us if the project achieved the desired outcomes.
Crediting Professionals
Home Owners must credit any professionals used. This is not only a requirement but it is polite to give credit where credit is due. These businesses will gain kudos from the competition which may help them get more work.
Who is behind the Home Design Magazine Renovation of the Year Awards?
This program is run by Universal Media Co as the promoter.
Universal Media Co is the Trading Name of Universal Magazines Pty Ltd (ACN 003 026 944)
Basic Entry Criteria
Entry is free
Entry is Open to home owners in Australia and New Zealand.
Projects must have been completed to practical completion within the last 10 years, specifically since 1st Jan 2015.
The closing date for entries is COB 17th July 2025. Late entries will not be accepted.
By entering participants are confirming…
- Participants agree to be bound by these general terms and conditions and entry criteria for this competition,
- That you are authorised to enter,
- That you have filled in this form accurately,
- That you have credited any professional project stakeholders including any Designers or Builders.,
- That you acknowledge that you either took the photographs yourself or obtained permission from the photographer to use the photos that you submit for the purpose of this competition, including property, business and person, for publication in media, which includes but is not limited to coverage in Home Design Magazine, plus associated digital and social media,
- A willingness to receiving information emails from the Promoter and their Sponsors,
- That there were no serious injuries or deaths which occurred onsite during construction, and
- That there are no outstanding debts or complaints relating to the project.
See below for full entry requirements.
Assessment Criteria & Selection of the Winner
Overall Entries for will be assessed by a panel of judges, and representatives of the promoter, based upon the following criteria.
- 100 words on why you love your reno – This should include what you set out to achieve and why you love the outcome for your family as the residents – 25%
- Imagery – How design answered those objectives specifically. Note that while we ask for ‘before shots’ to give context these are not essential and the judging here will rely on the ‘after shots’ – 25%
- Visible Smart Design Ideas in Action – Using your ‘After Shots’ the judges will look for clever design elements that helped achieve the brief – 25%
- Inspirational to Others – Using both your 100 words and images, plus the votes of consumers, the judges will determine if your story is likely to inspire other renovators – 25%
Judges will view the entries making their decision on merit based on these criteria. Chance plays no part in determining finalists, runner-up or overall winner.
The judges’ decision is final and binding. If in the opinion of the judges the entries do not reach the quality standard for the competition, the judges and Universal Media Co, in their discretion may decide not to grant all finalist positions. There will only be one winner.
The supplementary prizes will be judged based on the additional 100-word responses provided by entrants in combination with the context of the overall information received using the same Assessment Criteria outlined above.
The People’s Choice competition will be judged by consumer vote. Chance plays no part in determining the winner.
The finalists and the winner will be notified by email.
Media Coverage
Media coverage of the Home Design Magazine Renovation of the Year Awards includes (but is not limited to) Home Design Magazine, CompleteHome.com.au and associated social media channels.
Editorial comment on and photographic display of the projects entered will be at the discretion of the media. Whilst it is the aim of Universal Media Co and Home Design Magazine to feature the work of entrants accurately, the Promoter makes no representations or warranties as to the quality, suitability or merchantability of goods and services offered. To the extent permitted by law, the promoter is not liable for any loss suffered to person, business, entity or property by reason of any actor omission, deliberate or negligent, by the Promoter its employees or agents in connection with the arrangement for the supply of services. Whilst the promoter will make its best effort to feature the work of entrants accurately, then promoter including Home Design Magazine is not liable for any discrepancy, error, omission or misrepresentation of that participant or entry in any media report.
Universal Media Co will also be promoting pre, during & post awards, on all of our social media channels.
Universal Media Co shall promote the entire program to other media, seeking coverage. Whilst it is the aim of Universal Media Co to feature the work of entrants accurately, there will be no responsibility taken for discrepancy, error, omission or misrepresentation of that entry in any media report.
Entry Requirements
The following information is required to provide judges with information regarding the project prior to inspection. This information must accompany your entry.
Your completed entry will comprise of the following components:
- Online Form. A completed official online entry form.
- Digital Images. Images must be taken by you, or someone who has given you permission to use them in this specific context. Images must highlight any special features of the project as well as general shots. A minimum of eight (8) images (mix of internal and external images). Resolution of 300dpi with an image size of 21cm x 29cm (i.e., equates to A4 in size maximum) in JPEG file type only (please no PDF, PPT or TIFF file types). Please note if your images are not of high quality and you are a finalist you could be asked to resubmit them.
What do finalists get?
Finalists will receive…
- Coverage in Home Design Magazine, the CompleteHome.com.au web portal, and associated social media pages.
- A Finalist Trophy
What is the prize?
The total prize pool is $9,750. There are three prizes
- Winner – A cheque for $5,000
- Energy Efficiency Prize – A Big Ass Fans 60” Haiku Coastal in White or Black (valued at $1895)
- Best Outdoor Prize – an Outdoor BBQ and Heating prize pack consisting of a Crossray eXtreme Portable Electric BBQ with Trolley PLUS 2 x Heatstrip® Classic + Remote THH2400AR (valued at a total of $2447)
In addition to the above, all finalists will receive a certificate from Home Design, and all professionals involved in finalists projects shall receive a certificate award.
Privacy
Data collected from both Entrants and Consumers participating in this competition and associated marketing program shall be used by the Promoter and its Sponsors. To see the company’s privacy policy, go here: https://www.umco.com.au/privacy/
Additional Terms and Conditions
Competition entry is open to residents of Australia. Employees and immediate families of the promoter, associated companies and agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible to enter.
Entries for all competitions close on the date stated on the competition notice page. The winners will be notified by email within two (2) weeks of competition closing. The Promoter reserves the right to modify the key dates of the competition at any time.
Prize(s) will be delivered to winners within four (4) weeks of notification of winning. Prize(s) are not transferable or redeemable for cash.
Prizes are subject to availability, not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. Any change in value of the prize(s) is not the responsibility of the promoter.
No responsibility is accepted for lost, misdirected or delayed mail. Delivery Method will be according to the choice of prize supplier (either Universal Wellbeing or a clearly indicated third-party supplier) and in some cases, acceptance of the validity of a competition entry will also be determined by the ability of the entrant to receive such prize according to the delivery method.
Any competition run or promoted by Universal Magazines on the Facebook social media platform is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering and participating, entrant agrees to hold harmless, defend and indemnify Facebook from and against any and all claims, demands, liability, damages or causes of action (however named or described), losses, costs or expenses, with respect to or arising out of or related to (i) entrant’s participation in the competition, or (ii) entrant’s participation in any Prize related activities, acceptance of a Prize and/or use or misuse of a Prize (including, without limitation, any property loss, damage, personal injury or death caused to any person(s).
Unless otherwise provided for under applicable laws, governmental regulations, orders and requirements, these Terms and Conditions are subject to change without prior notice.
Home Design Renovation of the Year: People’s Choice Award – Terms & Conditions
The Home Design Renovation of the Year: People’s Choice Award is a separate competition that takes place following the nomination period of the Home Design Renovation of the Year Awards. One (1) prize is awarded to a voter who completes the voter nomination form and provides a response on their favourite entry that is deemed the “best” response by our independent judges.
The People’s Choice Award includes the following Terms and Conditions of Entry:
1. Entry into a competition implies full acceptance of all conditions of entry.
2. Competition entry is open to all residents of Australia and New Zealand (Void where prohibited under competition law as defined by the responsible local authority). Employees and immediate families of the promoter, associated companies and agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible to enter.
3. Entries for all competitions close on the date stated on the competition notice page. The winners will be notified by mail, email, or telephone within two (2) weeks of competition closing.
4. Prize(s) will be delivered to winners within four (4) weeks of notification of winning. Prize(s) are not transferable or redeemable for cash.
5. The prize must be claimed within two (2) weeks from the date a winner is chosen. If the prize is not claimed within this time, the competition is deemed invalid and the prize will be forfeited.
6. Prizes are subject to availability, not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. Any change in value of the prize(s) is not the responsibility of the promoter.
7. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes will be awarded on the basis of merit. Chance plays no part in determining the winners.
8. All entries become the property of the promoter. The entries may be entered into a database for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes, unless otherwise stated by the entrants. If you do not wish to be entered into this database, please indicate this in your competition answer. This will not exclude you from entry to the competition. Please see privacy note below for further information.
9. No responsibility is accepted for lost, misdirected or delayed mail.
10. If you do not wish to receive information about similar publications/services from Universal Magazines Pty Ltd/Universal Media Co or carefully vetted third parties, please unsubscribe from the mailing list by following the prompts in the emails received.
11. Any competition run or promoted by Universal Magazines Pty Ltd/Universal Media Co on the Facebook social media platform is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. By entering and participating, entrant agrees to hold harmless, defend and indemnify Facebook from and against any and all claims, demands, liability, damages or causes of action (however named or described), losses, costs or expenses, with respect to or arising out of or related to (i) entrant’s participation in the competition, or (ii) entrant’s participation in any Prize related activities, acceptance of a Prize and/or use or misuse of a Prize (including, without limitation, any property loss, damage, personal injury or death caused to any person(s).
12. Unless otherwise provided for under applicable laws, governmental regulations, orders and requirements, these Terms and Conditions are subject to change without prior notice.
Privacy note: With your permission, your details may be recorded so we can send you information about similar publications/services from Universal Magazines Pty Ltd/Universal Media Co or carefully vetted third parties.
Universal Media Co is committed to National Privacy Principles. We do not sell data to list brokers. If you wish to learn more, view the Universal Media Co Privacy Policy or call +61 2 9887 0339.
Key Dates
Entries are to be received by the Promoter by 5pm on 17th July 2025
Finalists will be announced 18th September 2025
People’s Choice voting ends 31st October 2025
The multi-page coverage mini mag will be in Vol 28 No 1 of Home Design Magazine in December 2025