Question
Hi Sean,

I plan to build a deck without rails, and the height is no higher than 1 foot. The shape is L-like, surrounding two walls(a family-room rear wall and a family room side wall) of my family room, and the size is about 350 sq. ft. I live in 14072, West New York. How many people-day will it take? Would you please give out a rough price arrange?

I also would like to add a wood frame(I don't know the term, sorry) over part of the deck(along the family-room side wall) because I want to plant some vines(like grapes) and let them grow over the deck to give us beautiful shade. The frame is just a squared one, and the size is 6'*26'. Again, How many people-day will it take? Would you please give out a rough price arrange about the frame?

If I change the deck to a concrete or stone patio with the same height, would that be possible to set up a wood frame over it? I just could not imagine how to fix the wood columns of the frame onto the concrete patio....

Thank you so much!

Answer
the deck sounds like about a 2 day project for a crew of two or three. Cost about $20/sf here in the south.
The arbor or pergola (frame) over the deck probably only a day or day and a half for two skilled carpenters. Price is very hard to estimate without plans and finished spelled out.

Note decks vary in price widely depending on quality. I can get some fast track deck builders to nock one out in a day with a four or five guys at $15-20/sf using air nailers and no screws and b-grade wood. Or I can get a skilled carpenter to use only fine grade wood, stainless screws and it will cost twice as much. Plus there is a wide variety of materials to choose from.

I recommend you come up with a sketch and get three bids, make sure they all price the same materials (pressure treated pine, cedar, or composite, etc.) Also make sure they price the same hardware (nails or screws, etc).

Yes you can still do an arbor over a stone patio. You have to install posts and footings.

try these links:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20184304,00.html

http://www.hometips.com/build/building_arbor_pergola.html

Best of Luck

Sean J Murphy
www.seengineering.com
www.amenityarchitects.com