I started the Deck in late October of 2004. I dug the ten, 2 foot deep holes for the footers &, funny thing, the county decreed that the ground was not firm enough. So I had to keep diggin'. Finally, at 7 (SEVEN!) feet, the county ok'd the holes. How did I do that? Well, big ol' pipes on the post hole digger, and many months of work - oh, and lots of swearing. This was taken 2/13/05. Holes are dug, concrete poured in holes, posts and beams up. Whew!