How Much Does It Cost To Build A Balcony From Scratch

Adding a balcony to the upper floor of your home is a fantastic way to add a unique outdoor amenity that can serve many different functions. Balconies can be crafted in large or small footprints, with great additions ranging from the simple Juliet balcony to a sprawling upper deck that can host large gatherings.

Design Everest reports that a new balcony can range significantly in price, depending on the structural and design features you want to include. The firm estimates a typical price range of about $2,000 to upwards of $7,000 for a larger or more luxurious option.

However, it should be noted that a true balcony is typically integrated into the initial construction of a property in order to tie the platform into the foundation and support structure of the surrounding building. HomeLight estimates that adding a true balcony — one that doesn't require joists for support beneath the platform — onto an existing structure can easily rise in price to a figure ranging from $20,000 to $70,000.

The addition of a balcony can spark an evolution in how you use and enjoy the space of your home, and it can provide a healthy addition to the property's financial value, too. Building a balcony is a great idea for anyone looking to incorporate more outdoor living into their daily routine.

Approaching the construction of a new balcony will take some serious initial planning. This feature will significantly change the outline of your home while providing a unique luxury space to relax, entertain, and more. Planning the build with the help of an architect is often the best course of action with this type of feature. A balcony offers a raised exterior space that will support the active weight of its users. This means that you won't only need to plan out where the feature will reside and how you will access the space but also how to build the space with safety and structural integrity in mind.

Labor costs can vary significantly by location

Labor costs are typically location-specific, and hourly or project-based rates for general contractors and additional team members will be influenced by countless local factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides in-depth reporting on local averages across the country.

A contractor and professional team is a must for a homeowner looking to install any type of balcony that's more substantial than a small Juliet balcony that won't be used to consistently support your weight and movement. HomeAdvisor recommends working with an experienced contractor for virtually all balcony installations because the consequences of an improperly constructed platform can be devastating. HomeAdvisor estimates that a typical balcony construction project will cost between $10 and $45 per square foot for labor alone.

Material pricing changes the cost basis

Materials will always play a major role in the price of a home improvement project. Balconies are often built with lumber, costing between $20 and $25 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor. A timber frame is a straightforward build and won't require much in the way of demolition. In contrast, a balcony addition that eschews the beam frame underneath the platform will necessitate a teardown of the exterior wall that it will rest against to create the required support tie-in.

HomeLight reports that homeowners may also consider adding a tile floor, metal or glass balustrades, and might even want to construct the whole structure with a composite or metal fabrication rather than using wood. These will add to the overall cost but can beautify the addition by matching the style with your existing exterior design.

A balcony plan also requires a trio of primary material features in the support structure, flooring, and rails that will provide the safety features necessary to protect you and your loved ones. The railings can be made as intricate or simple as you desire, but a more in-depth design here will raise the project's price.

Total balcony area

While materials and labor will always make up the bulk of any home improvement project, the size of your installation plays a key role in the overall price tag of the finished product in much the same way. The larger your intended balcony will be, the longer it will take your team to install the foundation, platform, and each remaining component. Likewise, a larger balcony will need a greater purchase of materials to build the addition. Marrying your budget and size requirements will make for a happy medium that provides leeway in both areas.

On top of the typical components highlighted in a balcony construction quote, there are some additional considerations to make when adding this alteration to your home's profile.

Permits are required in most local areas for a balcony addition

A permit is a typical addition to many home improvement projects, and the installation of a balcony is no different. HomeAdvisor estimates that permits for this type of addition vary across local jurisdictions but often start at about $100. Working with a contractor can streamline the permit process and take the responsibility away from you. This is a great feature that comes along with hiring a professional to take on the addition. Instead of wading into territory that you don't know or understand, leaving the logistics to a professional can give you an extra sense of support.

Exterior staircase access will add to the price

A balcony isn't complete without an access point. The typical balcony will incorporate a sliding or standard door that extends into the outdoor area from a bedroom or the living room. In the same way that an outdoor deck will add space to the living area.

You may want to consider adding a second access point, though. A balcony that incorporates a simple staircase can amplify the versatility that the outdoor relaxation environment can provide by making entry easier for your family and friends. HomeAdvisor estimates that a staircase for this addition will average between $1,000 and $2,000 for installation including railings and other essentials.

Electrical features, overhead coverage, and other finishing touches make for a fantastic outdoor environment

Adding the finishing touches to your balcony is crucial as you begin to see the end of the build approaching. Installing lighting elements is a great idea for homeowners who want to make the most of this outdoor space in daylight hours and evenings. It's also good to consider overhead coverage options to shield you and your visitors from the summer's rays, unexpected rain, and anything in between. Umbrellas, awnings, and other coverings can round out the utility of the new addition perfectly.

For exterior lighting, it's typically necessary to work with an electrician to ensure that the installation is done safely and successfully. Forbes Advisor estimates that electricians typically charge between $50 and $100 per hour, with light fixtures themselves ranging from $30 on the inexpensive end to around $200 each for a more elegant installation (via HomeServe).

A balcony might seem like a standard feature that conforms to a simple design structure, but the truth is that balconies can be constructed based on a few unique plans. The type of balcony that you choose can vary based on budget, available space, or construction timeline.

Juliet balcony

The easiest balcony-style addition to your upper floor is the Juliet balcony. This feature uses a railing and doorway or large window to create a shallow opening out to the exterior. The Spruce reports that these balconies typically extend just inches out into the open air beyond the egress. However, a Juliet balcony is unparalleled when it comes to inviting natural light and fresh air into a property. These features are visually appealing and provide an airiness to the home's indoor space that other window-type features can't match.

Stacked balcony

Balconette notes that a stacked balcony is the most popular type of added structure because the framing and design are each simple to execute. This type of balcony is built on top of added structural pillars that hold the floor's weight. These balconies function structurally much like an added deck or new room that ties into the existing building. Yet, a stacked balcony doesn't require direct support from the home itself. This means that building a stacked balcony is a simple addition that seamlessly adds to the overall profile of your home without the need to demolish a segment of the property to create an integrated layout.

Cantilevered balcony

A cantilevered balcony is a preset addition to a second-story space. These types of balconies can't be added onto an existing structure but rather are integrated into the build of a second floor in the design and construction phase (via Balconette). If you are adding an upper floor to your property, including a cantilevered balcony is a great feature that enhances the look, feel, and value of the property immensely.

These structures are built without the noticeable support beams that reach down below a stacked balcony. Instead, a cantilevered balcony is built like a long plank that extends out of the wall, seemingly hanging in mid-air above the open space below. These balconies provide a uniquely modern and minimalistic sleekness to a home.

Balconies quickly and permanently change the footprint of your property. They can add style and value to your home in a way that many other additions can't match. Bringing the outdoor lifestyle to your daily routine is one great feature of this installation, but there are many other functions that a balcony addition can perform.

A balcony can add significant value to your property

The financial aspects of a balcony addition are straightforward and highly beneficial. HomeAdvisor reports that a balcony can add up to 20% to the financial value of your home, more than paying for itself if you decide to move and sell the home.

In addition to the core financial worth that a new balcony can bring to the table, the visual appeal that this adds to the property is also a powerful motivator when it comes to the mobility of a real estate listing. Buyers love custom additions and unique features that add to the comfort and overall lifestyle that the home can provide. A balcony fits directly into this theme, providing a huge momentum shift for homeowners thinking of selling their property.

Balcony space is in a class of its own when it comes to comfort

Outdoor living has always been important for homeowners, but the type of exterior relaxation space that your property provides can make a massive difference in the comfort and luxuriousness of the space. A front porch, for instance, offers a relaxing external space to sit outside at the end of a long day. Yet, a porch is often cluttered because it's typically smaller than other deck spaces.

A balcony is a different kind of exterior option. These features are added alongside some of the most used areas inside the home, making the transition from an indoor to an outdoor environment seamless. Placement is key here, and balconies deliver the perfect relaxation addition in a way that other options simply lack. HomeLight calls the installation idyllic, and it's easy to see why this raised outdoor space provides exactly that.

The benefits are immense when it comes to adding the outdoor environment to your lifestyle. Those who live with a balcony added to their home's architecture can enjoy a wealth of benefits every day.

Balcony space can be used to create a unique evening away from your routine

A balcony is a completely different expression of outdoor living because it raises you away from the more traditional outdoor elements that come along with home life. Balconies are synonymous with luxury living, adventurous spirits, and an atmosphere of romance.

Design Everest notes that a balcony can be the perfect weeknight getaway for you and your spouse to enjoy each other's company while shutting out the noise of a day's usual look and feel. This intimate environment is the perfect alcove within your home's overall landscape to feel like you can take a break from the world around you and just enjoy the company of a loved one.

Even a simple Juliet balcony provides a wave of fresh air into a tired interior space

The addition of a balcony provides a wash of refreshing air into the interior of a home. Opening up the balcony doors provides a flow of air throughout the home that windows can't accomplish as well. The breezy living that a balcony offers to homeowners is a unique touch that brings the open, fresh air into the home and allows you to transition from one environment to another with ease.

Balconies, because of their raised nature, are a private means of enjoying the crisp, refreshing environment that exists just beyond the walls of your home (via European Property). This sense of lightness transcends the outdoor addition and permeates through the entirety of your indoor living space as well.