Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Almost finished! and curious ...

Okay, I'm *this close* to being completely finished with my deck. I know that some pros and semi-pros cruise through here and I'm curious to know how much a pro would've charged for building a deck like mine. The complete story is at http://www.rosehawke.com/html/deck.html I just uploaded and updated a couple of photos and descriptions. A couple of the pix of it look a bit dingy as it's been raining here today but I went ahead and took them anyway. We absolutely adore our deck!

Oh, I forgot to mention that it's built mostly out of PT lumber.

Nice work. From what I understand, you saved yourself a lot of potential problems by not attaching the deck to the house.

Very very nice. Looks like you took your time and laid it out well. That is one big yard! I live in the city and would kill for a yard that big, but city living comes with a price. Some day, some day........

Yes Cindy, that is nice. Don't be too critical or too concerned that it isn't "perfect" -- a few warm weeks and a couple of rainy days and things are going to move around a bit anyway. That's just wood. If you don't tell somebody that the 45 degree corner isn't 'perfect', they'll never notice it.

Nice job on the computer work too.

Cindy...

That is one EXCELLENT job!

I read most of the site, and I must say, "Wow!"

What software did you use?

Mike

SillyMike: For building the site? NetObjects Fusion 7.0. For designing the deck? The software between my ears :D , and reading, *lots* of reading. And asking questions here, of course ;). I produced the plans using a regular graphics program (Paint Shop Pro 7.0) which is just a little better than sitting down and doing it with a pencil and paper. Never found a CAD program I could use that didn't have a humongous learning curve, cost thousands of dollars, or both.

lefty: what formal training I've had was as an artist (although I'll always be just a somewhat talented amateur at it.) I learned a long time ago that the artist is always the most difficult to please.

MeffaDawg: This *is* the city. Practically anyway. Birmingham city limits is about a mile down the road. It's a rather odd little area, there are four lots side by side here that are 1 acre wide and 5 deep. Too close for me! We moved from the country. Can't wait to get back ... like you, someday...

chfite: I just don't see how something attached solidly to the house, yet on a "different" foundation can't help but create problems down the road with settling issues, different rates of expansion, etc., etc. Besides, it was easier IMHO.

Thanks guys!
:D :D :D

LOL.

I was talking about the drawings. :)

I'm in the same boat as you! I bough Punch Plat. Pro. And I can tell you, I've taught myself php, perl, and punch of others. Don't ask me to figure out Punch!

Thanks for the info,

Mike

The Punch! software is horrible. I'm a computer systems engineer by trade and I couldn't figure it out either. I did my deck plans in Visio.

And I design all of mine on Treeware (aka -- PAPER!!)

There is *still* nothing faster than a piece of paper and a pencil for jotting down a quick idea. I don't think it's become antiquated *quite* yet :D . Yeah, when I was looking at software I read a bunch of *bad* reviews for Punch. Of course their blurbs say that they're wonderful ;).