R. Dodge Woodson 
Tips & Traps for Building Decks, Patios, and Porches [PDF ebook] 

There are plenty of do-it-yourself books on the market, but sound information about hiring and working with home improvement specialists is hard to come by. Written for homeowners who are hiring pros for large-scale home improvement, remodeling, and maintenance jobs, these titles feature visually appealing, easy-to-read layouts, and are packed with sidebars and callouts of special advice on how to hire a contractor. Written by an author who is a licensed Master Plumber as well as a licensed Class A Builder with almost three decades in the construction field, each title features:A focus on how to screen and hire home improvement pros Time and cost saving tips and techniques including cost estimating charts for materials and labor Advantages/disadvantages of various materials Site, design, planning, and maintenance considerations Explanations of different options, and the benefits and the drawbacks of each