Setting Posts and Beams
		Once the footings are poured, its time to begin installing posts. We can not determine your exact post length. You should set them in place before you trim them to length.
Plumbing and Bracing Posts
		Place 2x2 or 1x4 bracing stakes about two feet away from the posts.Nail,Screw or clamp the braces to the stakes. Make sure they are enough to reach the posts at about a 45 degree angle. Drive a nail where it intersects the post. Use a level against the post to get it vertical, then tack the brace. If you clamp the level to the post, you'll have both hands free to plumb and nail the post. Repeat this process on the adjacent side. Post may not be perfectly straight, so use a level long enough to span any bow in post.
Marking Post Heights with a Level
		To make your level longer you can lay it on top of a long straight 2x4. Sight along the edge of the board to check its straightness. Keep in mind that you must mark along the bottom edge of the board. After marking the height of the top of the ledger on your post, you must subtract the depth of the joists (usually the same as the ledger). If you are using a sandwich beam,this is the height of the cut. If you are going to install a solid beam on the top of the post under the joists, subtract the depth of the beam as well.
Marking Post Heights with a Level
		To make your level longer you can lay it on top of a long straight 2x4. Sight along the edge of the board to check its straightness. Keep in mind that you must mark along the bottom edge of the board. After marking the height of the top of the ledger on your post, you must subtract the depth of the joists (usually the same as the ledger). If you are using a sandwich beam,this is the height of the cut. If you are going to install a solid beam on the top of the post under the joists, subtract the depth of the beam as well.
Measuring Posts with a Water Level
		Water levels rely on the principle that liquids always seek their own level. They're extremely accurate and come in handy when you have to make repeated marks at the same height. Most water levels come with 25 or 50 feet of tubing. If you place the level in the center of your site, its working length will double. Once the level is set up, one person can easily mark all posts.
Cutting the Posts
		Before sawing the post, brace it firmly. For greater accuracy you can clamp a square to the post to guide and support the saw as it cuts. If you will be cutting off more than a foot of waste, have someone hold the scrap to keep it from falling on you or binding the saw blade as it cuts through.
Jig for Cutting Posts
		If your deck has a lot of posts, consider making a jig. It will help you align saw cuts from opposite sides of the post, with only one mark. It improves your accuracy by guiding the cut, and it supports the weight of the saw for extra safety. Make sure that all the parts are cut squarely. The longer sides(about a foot long) flex enough to be clamped to the post. Also remember to offset the jig by the distance of the sawblade to the edge of the shoe. If you build your jig slightly larger than your posts it will slide up and down more easily.
Post Caps
		This is just one of many post-to-beam connectors available.. This stsyle acts as a beam splice - it ties two beams together end to end. Another Post cap style is designed to connect a post to the end of a beam. Make sure to use fasteners that are recommended by the manufacturer. And remember, the design strength of the hardware can onle be achieved if all the fastener holes are filled. For deck building, all hardware and fasteners should be hot-dipped galvanized - or stainless steel to resist corrosion.
Sandwich Beams
		Beams do not have to be one big piece of lumber. This beam is just 2x10's sandwiched on either side of the post. Rather than bearing on top of the posts, bolts transfer its weight. If you can't buy treated 4x8's or 4x10's, pairing up smaller stock like this is a good alternative.