Frank and Susan Ferguson

PROJECT: Sunroom

TIME: Nine months (weekends)

COST: $6,000 HOW THEY DID IT: Frank and Susan Ferguson's home in Reed's Landing in Chesterfield County had a leaky screened porch that pooled water when it rained. Water splashed in from the adjacent deck. "It was awful -- damp, dirty and no fun," Susan said. "We would have to push the water off with a broom and dry the floor as best we could every time it rained."

The couple talked with several contractors, but couldn't seem to achieve what they wanted with the space. Frank decided to do it himself.

He renovated the porch into a finished sunroom, installing electrical wiring, Palladian windows, skylights, a ceiling fan and a tiled floor. Susan helped with the painting. "It is lovely," she said. -- Julie Young

TELL US HOW YOU DID IT: Share your home improvement or garden project in 250 words or fewer with Julie Young, Home & Garden, I Did It Myself, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293, or e-mail jyoung@timesdispatch.com. Include your name, address, phone number and, if possible, high-resolution photos of yourself and your project. The project must be one you actually did yourself.

ONLINE ARCHIVE: Read about others' projects on inRich.com. Keyword: Home.