We were all set to go with Azek for our decking material ... but then the realization hit me that I really wasn't comfortable with a fake wood appearance. So now we're considering ipe - seems that the yearly maintenance to keep the color is an acceptable tradeoff for authentic wood.

I've been reading up here on gardenweb and elsewhere about the pros and cons of ipe. Any advice on hiring a contractor to install it? The deck is already framed and ready to go, so we'll be hiring someone just to prep and install the boards (and hopefully seal it afterwards). Any specific questions I should ask when gathering estimates? And if you know a contractor who is comfortable with ipe and services the seacoast area of NH, Maine or northeastern Massachusetts, I'd love a referral.

Thanks!