How Much Does It Cost to Build a Second-Floor Deck?

Average Second Floor Deck Costs

Second Floor Deck Installation Costs

Labor costs for second-floor deck installation generally account for 35% to 50% of total project costs and are highly dependent on the materials you choose and the complexity of the project. 

Most decking pros charge between $15 and $35 per square foot for labor, with easy-to-use materials like pressure-treated wood resulting in lower costs and complex deck designs commanding higher rates. 

You’ll find that professional labor rates for second-story decks are more expensive than those for traditional first-floor decks due to higher insurance fees for the riskier work and the tools necessary for building so high above the ground.

Speaking of fees, your jurisdiction will likely require a permit for your new deck. Plan to pay about $500 for an elevated deck permit and post-project inspection.

To roughly determine the cost of your second-floor deck by size, add together material and hourly labor costs, and then multiply by the square feet of your desired deck.

Keep in mind that costs may be higher if you choose premium materials, ask for a uniquely shaped deck, spring for add-ons like integrated seating, or choose a larger deck size.

Here are some pricing examples assuming an average build rate of $40 to $50 per square foot:

Second Floor Deck Cost by Style

There are countless deck styles from which you can choose, but keep in mind that every extra feature you choose will add to the overall cost of the project.

In most cases, you don’t need to invest in exterior stairs, assuming you have access to the deck from the second floor. However, double-check with your local permitting office, as some regions have fire codes that require them.

If you want or need stairs, you can expect to pay $15 to $25 per square foot to cover deck staircase costs. This works out to roughly $1,000 to $2,000, or about $100 per tread.

If you want a more affordable option, you might consider adding metal winder stairs in place of handmade stairs. You won’t enjoy the same freedom of customization, but you will pay less at $800 to $1,000.

You can extend the use time of your deck by adding an awning that protects you from the elements. An awning can extend over all or part of the deck to shield you from rain, snow, and the sun. Building an awning costs up to $1,000 for most decks.

To extend the life of your wood deck and reduce maintenance costs, consider sealing it. A sealer will protect the natural beauty of your wood by preventing water penetration that can lead to mold, rot, and other deterioration. Expect to pay $550 to $1,300 to professionally seal a deck after installation.

Second-Floor Deck Costs Near You

There can be regional price differences in the cost of constructing a deck due to a number of factors. Material prices play a huge role, but so do labor costs.

If you live in a sunny part of the country where there are many professionals with experience building decks, you can expect to pay less in labor costs. However, if you live in a more remote area where access to materials and deck builders is more scarce, you can expect to pay more.

Here's what you can expect to pay for a tall deck around the country:

Arizona: $6,000

Florida: $7,000

Kansas: $7,000

Connecticut: $9,000

Michigan: $9,000

Pennsylvania: $10,000

Washington: $11,000

North Dakota: $16,000

Second-Floor Deck Cost Factors

Outside of labor, two aspects that will play into your second-floor deck costs are the specific materials you use to build the deck and the style of the deck.

Decking

Materials are the biggest factor influencing the cost to build a deck. Here's what some common decking materials cost per square foot:

• Pressure-Treated Wood: $2–$5

• Redwood: $5–$30

• Mahogany: $8–$11

• Ipe: $10–$20

• Tigerwood: $7–$15

• Bamboo: $3–$10

• Cedar: $3–$7

• Aluminum: $15–$20

• Fiberglass and Composite: $12–$22

Pressure-treated wood is by far the most economical choice in decking material. It requires more maintenance, but it’s easy to work with and highly renewable.

Redwood, mahogany, and cedar are hardy and naturally resistant to things that can damage your deck, like water, insects, and UV rays. While they’ll reduce maintenance costs in the long run, their costs are high up-front.

Ipe, tigerwood, and other exotic woods offer exceptional beauty, but come with a high price tag. They’re extremely dense, which makes them durable, but that hardness also makes them more difficult to work with, which will increase labor costs.

Synthetic lumber costs roughly 40% more than pressure-treated lumber. It offers the same look as lumber, but it’s much more durable and requires less maintenance.

Aluminum, fiberglass, composite, and other manufactured materials offer a different look without the worry of rotting or insect damage. Thanks to its gapless installation style, aluminum is a better choice when you want your deck flooring to double as a roof for the space underneath.

While lumber and other decking materials make up the bulk of a deck-building shopping list, keep in mind you’ll also need concrete, joist hangers, nails, flashing, and other fasteners. How much you’ll need of each directly correlates to the size of your deck.

Shape

Rectangular and square decks represent the lowest price tiers because they’re the easiest to construct. You can expect to add anywhere from 50% to 100% to your budget if you want a specialty deck style.

L-shaped and V-shaped decks require extra time and labor. Contractors need to make complex cuts when creating specialty shapes. This can lead to added product waste that requires fees for both extra materials and waste disposal.

In addition, extra planning and engineering may be necessary to support unconventional shapes. The permitting process may also be more complex for an unconventional deck shape.

Cost to Build an Elevated Deck Yourself

Building a deck on your own eliminates the need to pay for outside labor, which could save you 35% to 50% on the total project cost.

Assuming you feel experienced enough to take on the project, you should still consider having a contractor or architect help to design plans to ensure your deck can handle the load you’ll place on it.

Going the DIY route, the cost to build a 120-square-foot deck using pressure-treated lumber can be as low as $420 in materials.

How to Save Money on a Second Floor Deck

Here are some ideas for helping manage the cost of your new elevated deck:

Keep your materials costs down

Pressure-treated wood is the most economical building material for a deck. While it may not be the most attractive when left bare, this type of wood is perfect for sealing, staining, and painting, which allows you to achieve a wide variety of looks.

Choose a simple design

The more planning and handiwork that has to go into your deck build, the more it will cost. This is true whether you hire a professional or take on the job yourself. This is because unique shapes and designs require intricate cuts that often result in more product waste.

Opt for extras after the build

As professional deck builders will charge an hourly rate, it makes more financial sense to add your own finishing touches to the deck after they’ve left. Depending on your experience level, adding things like light fixtures and retractable awnings on your own will be cheaper.

DIY vs. Hire a Deck Pro

Building an elevated deck isn't a job for amateurs. While building any type of deck is complex, an elevated deck requires specific structural supports to prevent dangerous collapses.

On top of that, you’ll find that professionals charge more for this type of build, in part because of extra insurance requirements—working high above the ground simply increases your risk of injury due to falls.

We recommend that you leave this type of project to local deck builders. Even if you have the skills and desire to do it yourself, you can’t put a price on the piece of mind that comes with knowing that the work has been done correctly and is up to the latest safety codes.