Custom two-story and multi-level decks designed and built for Raleigh homeowners who want to make the most of their outdoor space. Our licensed crew builds elevated decks off second-story doors, split-level designs for sloped yards, and complete multi-level outdoor living systems across Wake County and the Triangle. Written warranty, honest pricing, and permits handled by us on every build.
A two-story or multi-level deck is the right solution when a single flat platform does not work for your home or yard. Maybe you have a door on the second floor with no outdoor access. Maybe your yard slopes and a single-level deck would sit three feet in the air on one end. Maybe you want separate outdoor zones for cooking, dining, and lounging without putting them all on one crowded platform. Multi-level decks solve all of these problems. They also tend to look more architectural and add more visible value to a home than a basic single-level build. We design every multi-level deck around your specific home layout, door locations, yard grade, and how you plan to use each level. No cookie-cutter plans. Every design is drawn for your property.
Composite boards on a two-story deck are a smart long-term investment. You get a surface that never needs sealing, staining, or sanding even at elevation where the sun and wind hit harder. Trex Transcend and TimberTech products are available in a wide range of colors and come with 25-year fade and stain warranties. The most popular choice for Raleigh homeowners who want zero maintenance on a higher-investment build.
Pressure-treated lumber is a solid and proven decking material for multi-level builds. It carries the structural loads well, holds up in NC's humidity when properly treated, and costs significantly less per square foot than composite. Requires sealing every two to three years to maintain its appearance and extend its lifespan. The right call for homeowners who want a quality multi-level deck at the lowest upfront cost.
Not sure which material fits your budget and your plans? We will bring samples to your free design consultation and walk you through a real cost comparison before you decide.
Built directly off a second-floor door, this deck sits elevated above the yard with stairs connecting to the ground below. The space underneath can become usable covered patio area with the right underdeck drainage system installed during construction. This is the most common two-story deck request we get in Raleigh.
Sloped yards in Raleigh often cannot accommodate a single-level deck without it sitting uncomfortably high on one end. A split-level design follows the grade of the yard, stepping down in platforms that feel natural and look intentional. Each level is accessible by a short stair and sized for a specific use like dining, grilling, or seating.
Two or three deck levels designed around specific outdoor uses. The upper level might be a dining area right off the kitchen. The middle level a seating and lounge area. The lower level a grill station or fire pit zone. Each zone is sized correctly and connected by stairs that feel comfortable and look built-in.
An elevated two-story deck can include an underdeck drainage and ceiling system installed during the build that turns the space below into a dry, usable patio. This effectively doubles your outdoor living area for a fraction of the cost of building two separate structures.
Two-story decks carry more structural load than single-level builds. Every element is engineered correctly and inspected to NC residential code.
Oversized concrete footings and heavier post sizes are used on elevated deck builds to handle the increased load. Post-to-beam connections use structural hardware rated for the specific span and height of your deck design.
The ledger board that attaches your deck to the house is one of the most important structural connections in the build. We flash it correctly, attach it to the house framing with code-required hardware, and confirm the attachment point is sound before framing begins.
Beams and joists on elevated decks are sized to the specific span, height, and load of your design. We do not guess. Sizing is confirmed to NC residential structural code before we frame a single board.
Code-compliant railings are required on any deck surface more than 30 inches above grade. On two-story builds that often means both the upper and lower levels. Maximum 4-inch baluster spacing. Railing height confirmed to NC residential code for each deck elevation.
Stairs connecting deck levels and stairs to the ground are sized to code: correct rise, run, and landing dimensions. Multi-level builds often include two or three separate stair runs. Every one is built to the same standard and inspected.
Multi-level decks require a building permit in Wake County and all Triangle cities. We prepare the structural drawings, pull the permit, and attend the framing and final inspections. No extra charge on any multi-level deck build.
No hidden costs. No missing line items. What is on your written quote is what gets built at your home.
We come to your home, look at every door location, measure your yard grade, and sketch a custom multi-level layout that fits your home and how you want to use each level. We bring material samples so you can see and feel your decking options in your own backyard.
Detailed written quote within 48 hours. Every structural member, every board, every railing component, and every permit fee listed out clearly. Structural drawings showing footing sizes and beam spans are prepared for the permit application.
We submit the structural drawings and pull the building permit from Wake County or your city. We schedule and attend the footing inspection before framing and the final inspection when the deck is complete. You do not need to be present for any of the inspections.
Our crew builds your multi-level deck from the first footing to the last board on the top rail. Most two-story deck builds take six to ten days depending on size and complexity. We walk every level with you when the work is done and do not leave until everything is right.
Most multi-level and two-story deck builds in the Raleigh area fall into these installed price ranges:
Two-Story or Multi-Level Deck in Pressure-Treated Wood
$35 to $55 per sq ft
Two-Story or Multi-Level Deck in Composite
$55 to $85 per sq ft
Add-ons
Underdeck drainage system, aluminum railings, LED lighting, pergola cover, built-in seating, terrain grade
Final pricing depends on the number of levels, total square footage, material choice, railing style, and your yard grade. Multi-level builds are priced after a full on-site design consultation. The number on your written quote is the number you pay.
Multi-level decks are bigger builds and bigger investments. We have never adjusted a price after a homeowner said yes in 20 years of building custom decks across the Triangle. Your written quote is your final price.
“We have three separate outdoor spaces now where we had none before. Absolutely worth every penny.”
Recent Raleigh, NC homeowner
We design and build custom two-story and multi-level decks for homeowners across Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham, and every city in the Triangle. Same licensed crew, same written warranty, and no extra travel fees in any city we serve.
Yes. Any deck in Wake County that is over 200 square feet or more than 30 inches above grade requires a building permit. Two-story and multi-level decks almost always meet both thresholds. The permit process requires structural drawings showing footing sizes, beam spans, and ledger attachment details. We prepare all of these, pull the permit, and attend both the framing and final inspections on every multi-level deck we build.
Most two-story and multi-level deck builds take six to ten days with our crew on site. Larger builds with three or more levels, under-deck drainage systems, or covered upper decks can take ten to fourteen days. Permit approval in Wake County typically takes one to two weeks before construction can begin. We include a detailed project timeline in your written quote so you know exactly when each phase happens.
Quite a bit, depending on how you finish it. The raw space under an elevated two-story deck can become a dry usable patio when you install an underdeck drainage system during the build. This system captures water that comes through the deck boards above and channels it away, leaving the space below dry even in heavy rain. You can then use it as a covered patio, an outdoor dining area, storage space, or even an outdoor living room with the right furniture. It effectively doubles your outdoor living area at a fraction of the cost of building a separate structure.
Yes. Every two-story deck we build is engineered to NC residential structural code which includes wind uplift and lateral load requirements for our region. The key factors are proper footing size and depth, correctly sized beams and posts, the right ledger attachment hardware, and code-compliant railing height on every elevated surface. We do not guess on any of these. Sizing is confirmed before we frame and every connection is inspected by the county at the framing inspection.
Yes. Sloped yards are actually one of the best situations for a multi-level deck design. Instead of building a single flat deck that sits awkwardly high on one end, a split-level design follows the grade of the yard and steps down in platforms that feel natural and look intentional. Each level is usable and sized for a specific purpose. We walk your yard grade at the design consultation and sketch a layout that works with your specific slope before we quote anything.
Composite decking is the top choice for two-story and elevated decks in Raleigh. At elevation the sun and wind hit harder, which accelerates the aging of untreated or unsealed wood. Composite holds its color and surface quality at elevation without any maintenance year after year. Pressure-treated wood is also a good option at a lower upfront cost, but it needs sealing every two to three years to look its best at elevation. We build with both and will give you a real cost comparison at the estimate.
The most common solution is a door opening at ground level into the space under the deck. If your yard grade allows it, we can frame in a doorway opening at ground level on one side of the deck during construction. This gives you walk-in access to the under-deck area for storage, a covered patio, or whatever you plan to use the space for. Tell us at the design consultation and we will plan the framing around it.
Free design consultation with a custom layout sketch for your yard. Honest written pricing. A real Raleigh crew that engineers it correctly, pulls the permit, passes every inspection, and builds a deck that works as hard as your family does.
Or call us at (919) 555-0142 Monday through Saturday, 7:30am to 6pm.
Low-maintenance composite decking that never warps or splinters.
Solid wood decking at a lower upfront cost, built for NC weather.
Add a covered roof to your deck for shade and rain protection.
Custom pool surround decks in composite and pressure-treated wood.
RALEIGH, NC
Free design consultation from a real Raleigh deck-building crew. We will come to your home, sketch a layout for your specific yard, and give you a written quote with no obligation to move forward.
