1. ENTRY: No purchase necessary to enter or win. To enter the Contest, you must, in about 200-1,000 words, tell us the best home-improvement idea as defined in the contest announcement. The contest begins on May 27, 2003 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 3, 2003. All entries must be received and posted by this time. So don't wait until the last minute. Only one entry per person/per email address, please. In the event of multiple entries, only the first entry will be considered.

2. ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open only to legal U.S. residents over the age of 18. Employees of The Motley Fool and their families (along with their respective parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries) are not eligible. Void where prohibited by law. Contestants residing in those areas where the contest is void may participate in the Contest but may not win any prizes.

3. PRIZES: The grand-prize winner will receive five hundred dollars ($500). The Motley Fool reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value.

4. WINNER SELECTION: Employees of The Motley Fool will judge this contest. All decisions of the judges are final. 

5. WINNER NOTIFICATION: The winners will be notified within 14 days after the determination date.  Inability to contact a winner may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. 

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS: The winners will be required to execute and return a Certificate of Eligibility, Consent and General Release form within 14 days of notification. The winners may also be required to complete and return a W-9 for tax purposes. Non-compliance within this time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Any income tax liability is the sole responsibility of the winners. By acceptance of the prize, the winners consent to the use of his or her name and/or likeness for purposes of advertising or trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

7. USE OF CONTEST INFORMATION: All entries become the property of The Motley Fool. The Motley Fool reserves the right to use any and all information related to the Contest, including submissions provided by the contestants, for editorial, marketing, and any other purpose, unless prohibited by law.  

8. CONDUCT: All contest participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules. The Motley Fool, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person it finds to be tampering with the entry process, the operation of this website, or is otherwise in violation of these rules.

9. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: The Motley Fool is not responsible for late, lost, or misdirected email or for any computer, online, telephone, or technical malfunctions that may occur. If for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or technical failures of any sort, The Motley Fool may cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest. Entrants further agree to release The Motley Fool from any liability resulting from, or related to, participation in the Contest.

10. WINNERS LIST: The names of the winners may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Home Improvement Contest, The Motley Fool, 123 North Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.