how do I began to start this project. i want a deck something i haven't seeen but the cost & plus i would feel better knowing i done it. myself what i want is a 15 by15 deck if so one deck dropping into a 2nd one.if not that;s ok my deck would stand about 4ft high with 5 stairs depending on if i could get the drop down deck (2nd it would be 3 stairs) i needto how much wiid the best screws to the best stain & waterproof to use

 

A 15' X 15' two level deck isn't too difficult to build. My concrern would be that such a small deck really shouldn't be split into 2 levels. I think you will find that makes it pretty unusable as a deck. If you put the split in the middle, you then have two decks that are 7-1/2' X 15'. Allow for traffic patterns, and the usable area is going to be very small.

Design what you want the deck to look like, and take your design to a local lumberyard. Many have computer software that will tell you exactly what material you need to build the deck and how much that material will cost. This service is free, at least where I live.

If you choose to have the deck built, get at least 3 estimates from local contractors.

 

HI Veretta,
I live in Michigan, have lived both in Flint (45 minutes north of Detroit) and now reside in Grand Rapids, (about 2 hours from there). I can assure you that the bigger (and sometimes even the smaller) companies will give you an estimate and a bill of materials for free. I would suggest starting with a reputable local store for the help and to get a contractor. You may spend some extra, but the knowledge in the smaller yards is substantially better than that of a huge chain store.

Good luck!
D

I say this growing up in my fathers lumberyard. We had many die-hard customers that refused the larger yard due to incompitence.

 

By the way, I totally agree with Lefty. 15-foot square deck is too small to split. You might consider having large/long/deep steps instead of the actual second level.