A second story deck is a raised deck off an upper floor, carried on tall posts. HomeAdvisor puts raised decks at $40 to $50 per square foot nationally, against $10 to $20 for a ground-level deck (page updated June 17, 2026). On a 192 square foot deck (12 by 16 feet), that is about $7,680 to $9,600 raised versus $1,920 to $3,840 at ground level, by simple multiplication. We found no Wilmington price for raised decks, so treat these as national guides.
Wilmington Deck Builders Pros is a referral service, not a builder. We connect you with one independent local deck company, and that company designs and builds the deck. This page covers what raises the price, the stairs and railings that a tall deck needs, the questions to ask about structure and flood rules, and how to compare bids. We found no published Wilmington build time for raised decks, so we list what sets the schedule rather than guess.
Which kinds of raised and elevated decks do homes here have?
Raised deck builders and second floor deck builders price the same thing: a deck floor level with an upper door. Tell the company which of the types below you have, because the price per square foot changes by type.
- Second story or elevated deck. Off an upper floor, on tall posts, often with open or usable space below.
- Multi-level deck. Two or more floor heights joined by steps or landings.
- Ground-level deck. Close to the soil, with short steps or none.
- Floating deck. Not fastened to the house.
- Rooftop deck. Built on a roof, which adds waterproofing and structure questions.
A rooftop deck is priced per deck, not per square foot: HomeAdvisor lists $25,000 to $50,000 per rooftop deck (June 17, 2026), far above the per-square-foot ranges for the other types. We found no Wilmington price, so ask rooftop deck builders for a written bid.
If you have a deck over a walkout basement, a garage or a carport, the space below is part of the plan. Ask whether you want it dry. If the company proposes a waterproof ceiling or drainage under the deck floor, it should be a separate line on the bid.
How much does a second story deck cost?
These are national figures, all from one guide, so the types compare fairly. They are not Wilmington quotes.
| Item | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Second-story (raised) deck | $40 to $50 per sq ft (average $45) | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Ground-level deck | $10 to $20 per sq ft (average $15) | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Multi-level deck | $30 to $75 per sq ft (average $50) | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Floating deck | $20 to $60 per sq ft (average $40) | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Rooftop deck | $25,000 to $50,000 per deck | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Deck stairs | $25 to $50 per stair (wood); $1,000 to $3,000 per set (metal) | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Prefabricated wood stringers, 8 to 16 steps | $160 to $560 per set | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Custom wood stringers | $280 to $800 per set | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| Railing | $35 to $210 per linear ft | HomeAdvisor, June 17, 2026 |
| County building permit, minor | $60 | New Hanover County permit costs, read October 30, 2026 |
| County building permit, major | $0.221 per sq ft, $400 minimum | New Hanover County permit costs, read October 30, 2026 |
The Wilmington guide we found (HomeBlue, December 17, 2021, approximate) lists installed prices by material, from $18 to $21 per square foot for pressure-treated pine to $56 to $59 for ipe. The article does not say whether height is priced, so do not read those rows as raised-deck prices. Height is what separates elevated deck cost and raised deck cost from a ground-level price: more and longer posts, bracing, a taller stair run and a longer guard run.
A 12 by 20 deck (240 square feet) at the raised range is about $9,600 to $12,000. The same arithmetic on a multi-level deck gives $7,200 to $18,000, and multi-level cost depends on how many levels, steps and landings you add. Ask for each level priced on its own line.
What moves the price of a raised deck?
- Height. Taller posts, more bracing and more stairs.
- Stair count and landings. A tall deck has more steps. Ask the company for the step count, and ask the county inspector when a landing is required at your deck height.
- Material. Wood, composite, PVC or aluminum. The composite decks page prices the board choice.
- Railing. The guard run on a tall deck is long. System choice, from wood to cable or glass, sets the cost per foot.
- Access. A tight side yard or a long carry adds labor.
- Old deck removal. $5 to $15 per square foot nationally.
- Under-deck work. A dry ceiling, drainage and lighting.
What is different about the structure of a second story deck?
An attached second story deck is fastened to a house wall high above the ground. Ask the company to show the posts, beams, bracing and ledger on the drawing. The parts to ask about are posts and footings, beams, bracing between the posts, the ledger board where the deck meets the house, and the flashing that sheds water around it. Put each item in the bid.
On the code side, ask the county permit office whether your design needs a design professional's seal, and ask the company who draws the plans. Per the NC Office of State Fire Marshal (April 7, 2025), the 2018 code stays in effect until the 2024 code's date is set.
We print no footing depth, design wind speed or post-height limit, because we could not verify one from readable code text. The county permit office is the source for your lot.
What stairs and railings does a second story deck need?
Second story deck stairs are priced as their own line. HomeAdvisor lists wood stairs at $25 to $50 per stair and metal sets at $1,000 to $3,000. Stringers, the sloped boards that carry the steps, run $160 to $560 prefabricated or $280 to $800 custom. Ask the county inspector when a landing is required at your deck height.
Second story deck railing runs $35 to $210 per linear foot nationally. Because a tall deck's guard is long and the drop is real, ask how every railing post is fastened to the frame, not just to the boards. Guard heights, baluster spacing and stair dimensions are set by the building code, and we found no readable code text for them, so we print none. Ask the county inspector, and ask the company to write its numbers on the drawing.
What should I ask about flood zones and waterfront lots?
New Hanover County says Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach each administer their own floodplain rules, and that new construction must meet National Flood Insurance Program standards, mainly by elevating the lowest floor. Building in a floodway needs a No-Rise engineering study (New Hanover County Floodplain Management, read October 30, 2026). The county page gives no freeboard figure or substantial-improvement threshold, so we state none. Ask your town's floodplain office how those standards affect a deck on a home in a flood zone.
For an elevated deck for a coastal home, the county says a CAMA permit is required for most development in a coastal Area of Environmental Concern, and that the local permit officer decides. Its page does not mention decks. The state's oceanfront page says sandbag permits do not cover gazebos, decks or similar amenities, and that the local permit officer or state staff decide whether a structure is exempt. Ask early; a CAMA minor permit has a decision window of 25 days, per the county CAMA page.
How do storms, rain and decay affect a tall deck?
Wilmington's normal rainfall is above 60 inches a year, 2018 brought 102.40 inches, and Hurricane Florence dropped 23.02 inches at the airport (NWS Wilmington). We make no wind claim. Ask each company how the posts, bracing and ledger are anchored and what the hardware is made of and why the company chose it for a coastal site.
Wood posts sit in a wet climate. NC State Extension says termites live in every North Carolina county (biology and behavior page), that soil or mulch touching wood is an easy entry (monitoring and management page), and that untreated wood should be at least 8 inches from soil (powderpost beetles and wood fungi page, which covers houses and crawlspaces, not decks). Ask where post bases sit and what protects the cut ends. If you are choosing wood, ask for the finish plan. For repairs to an older raised deck, see deck repair.
Do I need a permit for a second story deck in Wilmington?
Ask the county before you assume you can skip one. The county says most construction projects need a building permit and lists structural work. It names no deck rule we could read, so we state no height trigger.
- Who issues it. New Hanover County's Department of Permits and Inspections issues all building permits inside the City of Wilmington, through the COAST portal or in person (City of Wilmington, read October 30, 2026).
- City check. Confirm the design meets the Land Development Code. A historic district also needs a Certificate of Appropriateness.
- Fees. $60 for a minor permit or $0.221 per square foot with a $400 minimum for two or more inspections. $50 after two failed inspections.
- Inspections. Requested in COAST before 3:30 pm for the next business day; the contractor must provide any ladder.
- Utility locate. NC811 asks for notice three working days before digging.
- Expiry. Six months if work has not started; 12 months if stopped.
Projects worth $40,000 or more generally require a licensed general contractor, per the county FAQ, with labor and materials counted. Ask the company for its license number and check it with the issuer.
How do I compare second story deck estimates?
Whether you hire a second story deck contractor or a general builder, ask for paper. A good second story deck estimate lists:
- A drawing with post, beam and joist sizes, footing type, bracing and the ledger detail.
- Who draws the plans, and whether a design professional is involved.
- Stair count, landings and railing system, each priced.
- Who pulls the permit and requests inspections.
- Separate lines for removal, under-deck work, lighting and electrical.
- Payment stages, with the last payment after the final inspection.
Ask the company whether it has built raised decks near your address, and ask for references. Wilmington Deck Builders Pros does not vouch for any company's experience. The deck builders page covers the general checks, and the contact page is there for site questions.
What goes wrong on second story decks?
- Water behind the ledger. Ask how the ledger is flashed.
- Bracing. Ask how the deck is braced.
- Stringers that are not anchored. Ask how they are attached at top and bottom.
- Rusted hardware. Ask what metal was used.
- Skipped permit. Ask the county what record it keeps, and keep your final inspection record.
Second story decks in Wilmington FAQ
How much does a second story deck cost?
HomeAdvisor's national range is $40 to $50 per square foot (June 17, 2026). We found no Wilmington price for raised decks, so ask for itemized bids.
Is a raised deck more expensive than a ground-level deck?
Yes. The same guide puts ground-level at $10 to $20 per square foot, against $40 to $50 for raised.
Do I need a permit for a second story deck?
Ask the county. It says most construction needs a permit and lists structural work, but we found no readable deck trigger.
Will I need an engineer?
Ask the county permit office whether your design needs a design professional's seal, and ask the company who draws the plans. Put the answer in writing before you sign.
How long does a second story deck take?
We found no sourced Wilmington time. Design, permit review, the three-working-day NC811 wait, build days, inspections and weather set the dates.
How much do stairs add to a tall deck?
HomeAdvisor lists wood stairs at $25 to $50 per stair and metal sets at $1,000 to $3,000, with stringers at $160 to $560 prefabricated or $280 to $800 custom (June 17, 2026). A taller deck needs more steps, so the stair line grows with height. Ask for the step count on the bid.
Does a flood-zone home change the deck?
It can. In Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach the town runs its own floodplain rules (New Hanover County Floodplain Management). Ask the floodplain office for your address before design.
What does a coastal permit cost for a deck near the water?
New Hanover County lists a $119 processing fee for a CAMA minor permit, with a decision within 25 days that the local permit officer can extend by 25 days (CAMA Permit Program, read October 30, 2026). The county page does not mention decks, so the permit officer decides whether yours needs one.
Does the 8-inch soil clearance apply to deck posts?
The NC State Extension page that gives the 8-inch figure for untreated wood is about houses and crawlspaces, not decks, so it is not a deck rule. Use it as a question: ask where the post bases sit and what protects the cut ends.
Who issues the building permit for a second story deck inside the city?
New Hanover County's Department of Permits and Inspections issues all building permits inside the City of Wilmington, through the COAST portal or in person. The city asks you to confirm the structure meets its Land Development Code first (City of Wilmington, read October 30, 2026).
Call for a second story deck company in Wilmington
Call. We call you back within one business day and connect you with a local deck company. You pay Wilmington Deck Builders Pros nothing for the call.
Calls reach a voicemail box. Leave your name, your town and a short description of the job.
Have the height of the door above the ground, the deck size you want and any flood-zone or association papers ready.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, Build a Deck cost guide (page dated June 17, 2026)
- HomeBlue, Wilmington NC cost to build a deck (article dated December 17, 2021; read October 30, 2026)
- New Hanover County, Permit Cost (read October 30, 2026)
- New Hanover County, Frequently Asked Questions (read October 30, 2026)
- New Hanover County, Floodplain Management (read October 30, 2026)
- New Hanover County, CAMA Permit Program (read October 30, 2026)
- NC Division of Coastal Management, oceanfront erosion (read October 30, 2026)
- City of Wilmington, Building Permits (read October 30, 2026)
- NC Office of State Fire Marshal, 2024 code delay (April 7, 2025; read October 30, 2026)
- NC811 (read October 30, 2026)
- NWS Wilmington, race to 100 inches (read October 30, 2026)
- NWS Wilmington, 1991-2020 climate normals (read October 30, 2026)
- NC State Extension, eastern subterranean termites (read October 30, 2026)
- NC State Extension, monitoring and management of eastern subterranean termites (read October 30, 2026)
- NC State Extension, powderpost beetles and wood-inhabiting fungi (read October 30, 2026)