Leslie, do not underestimate your abilities! Building a simple deck, specially one that is "floating" just a few inches off the ground is not an insurmountable project for a DYI'er, even one that is a novice to carpentry. You might want to enlist the assistance of a friend or relative who has a bit more experience (and tools!) to give you a hand - 4 hands are much better than 2 :-) Also, HD and Lowe's typically offer free workshops on simple home improvement projects and this is one area where they can and do provide good advice and assistance - check 'em out. Enough has been said regarding gravel as a base to discourage you from this unsatisfactory material and exposed aggregate concrete is more expensive than you might expect and is NOT a DIY project. I would not dismiss a paver patio. Perparing a proper base is no harder or more strenuous than preparing a new planting area and you can get pavers in all sizes. I'd consider what is referred to as Roman pavers - 6"x6" or 8"x8" squares, often tumbled to give a rough, natural looking edge. Very manageable and rather inexpensive compared to natural stone and will present a very tidy and solid base.

Hey Guys! I'm in Fargo, ND, so I know your weather/situation! Call some bigger lumberyards, etc, for precast prices/sizes. * The base will have to be properly prepared, leveled, etc. * Drainage AWAY from the home/steps needs to be considered too. * The base should be tamped FIRM, and probably on a sand base, so moisture wicks away from the steps. * You CANNOT just plunk the steps down on the dirt, or you're just asking for trouble! Faron

Totally depends on preference. Pros & cons to both and nothing is totally maintenance free, although some things may require more maintenance than others. In our Upstate NY climate, everything takes a beating - regardless of selected product. Long story short, I will never have another deck nor do I prefer poured concrete. Decks take too much of my time and money for maintenance (even composite) and I just don't care for the stamped concrete. In our climate, poured concrete shifts as do pavers. Pavers (or natural rock) are much more forgiving to shifting than concrete which generally (not always) eventually splits & heaves (even slightly) around here. Pavers shifting are easier to remedy than poured concrete should you desire to do so. I spend a total of 30-60 minutes a year maintaining the paver patio which includes weekly sweeping and minor weed killing in the cracks. Zero cost in supplies - just time. Probably not much more in maintenance for a poured patio either. The deck we used to have required washing, water repellent treatment (staining if preferred), tightening screws/bolts that came loosened up over time and occasionally replaced pieces of floorboards that became warped or split, parts of the skirting (should you choose to have one), and spindles on railings which became loose over time from bumping, leaning etc... The patio allows us to be ground level with shrubs & flowers which we used to only see from above on the deck. Fast growing plantings around the patio can screen things out pretty quickly as well, should the need be there. When your up on a raised platform like a deck, sometimes it can be more challenging unless you integrate a wooden screen into the design (which requires maintenance like the rest of the deck - more time & money). Regardless, I would remove the existing slab before I'd do anything. Should you go with a deck, the footings will need to be dug into the ground which will require removal of the concrete. Patios (poured, paver or stone) are only as good as the base they are built on and the current slab would need to come out to do build your new base. Only opinions and preference but it's good to consider all options that you are to make the best decision for you.

There are commercial janitorial products that you sprinkle on,w ait....and sweep up....repeat as needed.....but before I did that, I would saturate the stain with Dawn dish detergent....then scrub and hose down....repeat as needed. Also paint stripper removes oil stains....that I discovered by accident when stripping a piece in the driveway.