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Cost for two- and three-level decks, second-story and elevated builds.
With these inputs:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| 2-level deck cost | $25,598 – $34,906 |
| Total deck area | 360 sq ft |
| Blended cost per sq ft | $80.80 |
| Stair flights | 2 |
| Railing linear feet | 84.6 ft |
| Main level (240 sq ft @ 9 ft high) | $15,235 |
| Second level (120 sq ft @ 3 ft high) | $5,520 |
| Stairs to grade (15 risers) | $2,475 |
| Stairs between levels | $850 |
| Railing | $3,808 |
| Engineering / stamped plans | $1,200 |
| Height premium applied (main) | 1.38× |
Decks over about 8 feet above grade usually need engineered lateral bracing, larger footings, and stamped drawings — that's included above as a plan-review line item. Second-story decks also require careful ledger flashing to avoid rot in the rim joist.
Multi-level and elevated decks cost far more per square foot than a ground-level build. Enter the size of each level and its height to see how framing, stairs, and access drive the total.
Expect $55-$95 per square foot for a two-level composite deck versus $38-$52 for a single ground-level deck. Each additional level adds framing, a stair flight, and more railing — usually $3,000-$9,000.
A 12x20 second-story deck (240 sq ft) at 9-10 feet above grade typically runs $18,000-$30,000 installed in composite, including the stair run to grade and engineered bracing.
Taller posts need 6x6 material and bigger footings, lateral bracing becomes mandatory, guardrails are required everywhere, a full staircase is unavoidable, and crews spend far more time on scaffolding and access.
No. For the same total square footage, splitting into levels adds 25-40% because of the extra beam lines, framing transitions, stairs, and railing at each level change.
Most jurisdictions require stamped plans once a deck is more than 8 feet above grade, cantilevers unusually far, or supports a hot tub. Budget $500-$1,500 for drawings and structural review.
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