So, this all started with me having the idea of building a paver patio underneath my deck. I have a 3 story townhouse (built in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1993) with a 10'x14' deck accessible from the 2nd level only (no stairs leading to the ground outside). The trouble with my paver patio plans is that my deck's support posts are configured in a pattern like an "H" - two rows of 3, with one post right in the middle. That middle support post puts a big monkeywrench into my plans. I can build around it, but why do I have to? Can't I just have a contractor put up crossbeams under the joists and remove that middle support post?

So I call 2 local contractors and explain what I want to do. They tell me that because of how long ago the house and deck were built, it's not up to today's code (support posts are 4x4, should be 6x6). If they pull permits and remove one, the other 6 would HAVE to be replaced with 6x6 support posts and re-inspected. Also, the support ledger beams running under the joists are most likely 2x6 and need to be 2x10 (I think that's what the guy said).

So I'm shaking in my boots thinking they're going to come out and do a "free" estimate and tell me the whole deck has to be torn down and rebuilt. Which means, if we ever sell the house, we'd have to bring the deck up to code first. So I might as well get it done.

I'm asking for advice & guidance. In my situation, should I expect to hear "you need a new deck" and not think it's only money-driven, or might it be possible to salvage the deck but only have the support posts and ledger boards underneath the deck replaced? What might I be looking at cost-wise?