Help with a Deck Design

Boy am I in over my head. I've got 2 different people coming to give me a quote for building a deck on my house and I have no idea what I want. Can anybody suggest someplace I can go to look at ideas? I'm also in the dark on how much this is going to cost so I need to get some kind of idea there too. I'd hate to ask for something that's going to cost $6,000 when I'm only budgeted for $2,000.

Help
Please
LOL

La

I'd ask the people coming over to bid what you can get for $2000.
If building decks are their business they could give you ideas within your bufdget and probably some tips on the pits and pratfalls of various styles, material, etc.
You may even talk yourself out of having a deck or will then know for sure what you want. Ask them questions and decide with your instincts. good luck

Thanks Len, but the 2 people I have coming do not specialize in building decks. One is an amish crew, and one is just a handy-man type guy who does this sort of thing on the side. I definitely need to be able to tell them what I'm looking for when they get here.

I appreciate the response and I'll keep pushing forward.
La

I still think you should go with the approach of telling them you have $2000 to spend and see what they can do for that. If they know so little about deck building that they can't tell you how much they can do for that price then you probably don't want them building your deck. They won't have the good info as far as materials, etc so you may have to figure that out on your own. There aren't that many choices though--you can have wood, or you can have composite lumber like Trex or vinyl decking, both of which will cost more but last longer and are less maintenance. It might be worthwhile getting a quote from a real deck builder too, they will obviously have more knowledge and you may decide you're better off going with them. Or at least that way you'll get some of the info you need as far as materials, etc.

is your heart really set on a deck? why not a patio with nice stone, slate, bricks etc.
you could have little cutouts for some small trees (eg. japanese maple or other patio tree? maybe some flower boxes or set containers with plants on tthem?
the problem with decks seems to me is that they are extrememly high maintenance.
have to seal them every few years. I think the only advantage is that you don't have to go up and down a lot of stairs if you have them. if you like to grill seems to me I'd want it a little further away from the house because of the smoke etc. I don't know just a thought.

I've always been under the impression that having brick or stone layed was much more expensive than a wooden deck. Actually I like the look of pavers better than decking too....maybe I should check into it.

I saw an episode on hgtv where they put bricks down poured dry quickcrete from the bag in the cracks and just used the garden hose to water it. Maybe it just looks easy on tv?? It almost made me want to try it, though I don't have anywhere I would want to do it! My house in back they have a little area off the sunporch where they put octagon concrete pavers and just put dirt between them and moss grows in the dirt.
the house has been here since 1962 I don't know if the pavers have been here that long or not. You could probably do yourself, just have your area leveled, have a pallet or two of bricks pavers stones whatever delivered and do a brick at a time. Take your time and it would be fun like a kid building something with their blocks. I don't know just a thought.

You can design your own deck/garden space/landscape design/kitchen remodel, whatever, quickly and free with Google SketchUp...free for anyone, no spyware, very quick to learn, and very useful for stuff like this. Most anyone can learn how to use it in an hour or less. www.sketchup.com

Attaching a pic of my house and landscaping plans that I drew up in about 3-4 hours. Only took that long because the inside of the house is complete as well, all rooms, carpet, paint, furniture, etc.