THIS CORNER deck
contains a small
swimming pool.
The pool area is
closed off by a
gate, for safety
sake. The deck
itself, which is
above ground
level, is
surrounded by a
railing.

TIP TOP DECKS

THE DECK SHOULD
MATCH THE HOUSE,
BOTH IN DESIGN AND IN
PROPORTION.

xperts in the business ad-
vise customers who want
an outdoor deck to find a
company that will take the
time to find out what you want by
planning and designing your deck
with you.
"You don't need a landscape ar-
chitect either, but there will pro-
bably be landscape changes that
accompany the new deck, and
you should be able to see these
sketched on paper before you
begin," says Gary Daniel, owner of
Sunhieser Builders Inc., Rochester
Hills.
According to Daniel, a good
deck builder will come to your
home, measure, take pictures of
what you have, talk over with you
what you want, and sketch out his
plans.
The average deck costs $10 to
$12 per square foot. Assuming
that the average deck is about 500
to 600 square feet, a new deck will
cost $6,000 to $8,000 which in-
cludes benching and railings.
Most of the lumber used is given
a 30-year warranty while labor and
other construction parts are war-
rantied for two to three years.
Some of the decks get very in-

E

multi-level decks
tricate
overlooking a hill, or built on peers
and overlooking a lake, or adding
a gazebo to one portion of the
deck. Built-in deck furniture such
as planters, tables and unique
floorings with angles and patterns
also hike costs. Some customers
add a fire pit in the middle of the
deck.
Dr. David and Susie Bloom have
been enjoying hot tub living on the
deck of their West Bloomfield
home for the past four years. "We
use it throughout the year primarily
for recreation," explains David,
"Although sometimes it's useful to
ease a few aches and pains."
A new landscaping design was
part of the deck and hot tub
package for the Blooms who
wanted to maintain privacy around
the hot tub area and at the same
time have the deck and hot tub
blend with the yard area. In addi-
tion to lighting, jacks for TV and
telephone were also installed.
"Sometimes we have to shovel
the snow to get into the hot tub in
the winter, but once you're in, even
without a cover, it's a wonderful
way to relax, socialize and just en-
joy," says David.

SPRING '88

19