I love that our plastic "wood" deck does not require paint. It does still get mildew and needs pressure washing once a year. But that's a one hour project, not a one weekend project. I have a neighbor who pressure washes seemingly weekly, we don't take it that far. I have another who has to restain his green pressure treated pine every other year, I'm not sure why but I'm sure he regrets not paying more for brown treated or cedar.
I'd agree with above, it you get help for one day have it be the day you make the stairs. Also you'll need help digging the holes for the post footings, I'd rent an auger and have a friend for that. Otherwise like anything else if you have a question ask... the biggest risk is knowing just enough to have the confidence to waste a bunch of material (not that I would know personally... ha!). I have [edit: seen, not done] some some terrible projects on AVSForum where two months in someone posts their first picture and everyone is like "I hate to mention but you really have to tear that all out"...
And as much as I despise inspections if they do indeed to one (some just take your money and never come on site) that's probably worth a hundred bucks.
Oh, also, the fasteners you use, both nails and hangars must be compatible with the pressure treating your lumber has. Times Ten. And two more times. I think this isn't as much of an issue but looking at houses the last time we bought revealed this was a real problem a decade or so ago and still could be.
