To build it yourself, keep these tips handy

Whether you choose a deck that's made from vinyl or treated lumber, building it yourself can be a hefty undertaking.
Ralph Dipiero, of Youngstown Contracting Inc., offered a few tips for do-it-yourselfers:
ULeave adequate space between boards for expansion and contraction, as well as drainage for moisture. "Even the vinyl boards will expand and contract, so don't build a deck with boards too close together," Dipiero said.
UMake sure that footings are below the frost line. "If your footings aren't deep enough, the deck will heave up when the weather changes and then it will sink down again and you'll end up with a deck that's tilted. The footings should be about 42 inches deep to get below the frost line," Dipiero said.
UIf a new deck and a new house are being built at the same time, make sure to put some fill dirt under the deck. "What happens is that the contractor backfills around the house, but the area under the new deck is forgotten, and a big hole is left under the deck. Then when it rains, water collects in that hole and it can end up running into your basement and giving you a wet basement," Dipiero explained.
Cost
Every project varies, but hiring a contractor is always more expensive.
Dipiero said a good rule of thumb for figuring the cost of having a deck built is to take the price of your materials and double it.
"An average-sized deck made of lumber could cost around $1,200 to build on your own and around $2,400 to have built," Dipiero explained.